One of the things that sets me apart from other photographers is my ability to direct my couples through their portraits on their wedding day. One of the things that sets me apart from other photographers is my ability to step back, shoot from afar and let my couples spend time together as I capture un-staged photos of their portraits on their wedding day.
And there you have it – two contradicting styles of photography, and depending on my clients, I am up for either or a bit of both.
You might hear photographers say that you can’t stage or direct romantic photos. But for many, many couples, that isn’t going to work. Taking my clients away from the crowds and giving them time to breathe and be together – even for just 10 minutes, allows them to relax and celebrate the enormity of what they are experiencing on their wedding day.
BUT, there are 3 things that can happen after the photographer sets you up in great lighting, asks you to snuggle up and enjoy each other’s company, and then walks away.
1. You haven’t talked to each other all day, so you start chatting about all the things that happened before the ceremony when you were separated.
2. You feel uncomfortable and you look at the photographer and say “what do we do?”
3. You snuggle, you kiss, you rub noses, you lean into each other, he kisses you on the temple, you kiss more, you whisper to each other, you giggle . . . ahhhh – romantic and unscripted photos are captured.
My clients have fallen into any one of these 3 categories and my experience has allowed me to create beautiful intimate wedding day photos no matter what. As I begin to direct my #1 and #2 couples, it feels a little goofy at first, and if that causes giggles, then I am a happy artist! But as you start to snuggle in, to lean in, to close your eyes, to breathe each other, to very lightly kiss . . . to touch each other’s cheek, to rest your head on a shoulder, to melt into each other . . . it becomes real and the results are magical!
I am mindful of my clients that don’t want this experience – that want me to capture all things as they unfold, and my experience allows me to create beautiful images for them as well. The first dance is a beautiful opportunity to capture the romance. But for my clients that do want me to create these portraits during their wedding day photo time, I am able to quietly and subtle-y direct them to a place where it feels real.
If you are nervous about your wedding day photo shoot, here are some beautiful, romantic, intimate poses that I created. How much FUN would it be on a night when you’re just hanging out to practice some of these photos and see what it feels like to FEEL your way through them together.
