Of course you want to look AMAZING in your wedding day photos. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. It is not unusual to spend over a year planning this momentous day. Maybe you have been planning since you were 5. Also not unusual. The process is an emotional experience where you invest your heart, your time, and probably a good bit of sanity. Your thoughts are continuously consumed by the seemingly endless array of decisions and details. You have a clear vision of what your perfect day will look like and figuring out how to execute and realize that vision suddenly becomes a top priority in your life.
Apart from the emotional aspects, you usually invest a serious pretty penny as well. If you are currently planning your wedding, I’m sure you have experienced some sticker shock as things add up. BUT all of the time, effort, stress, and money is completely justifiable and totally worth it because it’s your WEDDING DAY!
With that being said, capturing the memories of your wedding day is such an important aspect. Looking gorgeous in your wedding photos is equally important. The thing is, you get one shot at getting it right. You don’t get a do-over of that day. You will have those photos for the rest of your life. I cannot emphasize the heartbreak that comes from getting photos back from your photographer and not LOVING them. Or worse yet, despising them. Or, still heartbreaking, being somewhere in the middle and almost loving them if it wasn’t for that one little detail.
ALL IN THE MINDS EYE. OR IN THE CAMERA’S LENS.
In my third year doing weddings, I was talking to one of my brides who got her wedding photos back. She had sent them to me and there was this gorgeous photo of her and her new husband in front of the arch. I was telling her how beautiful it was. I remember her saying she would have loved that one too accept for her “fat arm”!
When I looked at that picture, I never for one second saw the “fat arm” she was talking about. However, what I did or did not see didn’t matter. She saw it and it was all she could focus on. She was beautiful and her arm didn’t look fat or ruin the photo. I was surprised she felt that way.
Fast forward to December 2018. I received my wedding photos back from my October wedding, and low and behold there was a picture I would have loved if it weren’t for my arm. UGH! It looked twice as big. I knew exactly how that bride felt. There it was. My full circle moment. That feeling is what prompted me to write this piece.
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
I think this is a beautiful photo that really captured the magic and romance of having just said “I do.” However, as vain and superficial as it may sound, I really wish I would have held my arm away from my body. Just being honest!
Having been in the world of weddings for so long (11 years and 300+ weddings under my belt), I really felt I had a leg up on every possible detail.
If I could go back I would have made sure I was paying more attention to a few simple points that would have made me look better in my photos, and happier with the outcome of the photography aspect.
I’m all for self-love, I truly am. However, I’m also all for taking great wedding day photos that you will LOVE and be proud to share!
Although there are tips a mile long on how to look great in photos, here are my very top tips, and the only ones you really need to make sure you are at your most photogenic on your important day.
1. TALK TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER ABOUT PAIN POINTS
Most of us have things about ourselves we don’t feel show us in the best way. If you are self-conscious about your arms or double chin, or have a side of your face you prefer, tell your photographer.
When your photographer is aware of these details, they can make an effort to avoid them and focus on what you feel is a more flattering angle or feature. It may seem awkward to talk to your photographer, who you may barely know, about your insecurities. Trust me when I say, you will be happy you did when you get your photos back! This is your day, and your photos. Take control of these details. You have one shot!
2. RELAX YOUR FACE
Don’t smile too hard. Smiling at full force will make your eyes squint. Seriously, go look into a mirror right now and smile your biggest smile. See what it does to the size of your eyes. Yes, natural “in the moment” photos where you are laughing and smiling can be gorgeous, but just make sure you focus on a relaxed face for some of the formal pictures.
3. TURTLE NECK
Many years ago, someone (and I don’t remember who) told me to do “the turtle neck” while taking a group photo. To do the “turtle neck” you have to push your neck and face out while simultaneously tilting your chin down ever so slightly. At the same time, press your tongue to the roof of your mouth. It will feel a bit awkward, but I am serious when I say you will look amazing in a photo. Why that super helpful tip was devoid of my mind on my wedding day, I do not know. When I saw my photos I really wished I could go back in time and scream “TURTLE NECK” to myself! Practice in front of a mirror and with a couple selfies to get the hang of it. I promise it’s worth it!
4. POSTURE
Yes, we all know the importance of good posture. This is not new news. But it’s one of those things that can easily elude us, yet it makes one of the biggest impacts when it comes to taking a flattering photo. So posture talk is certainly worth reiterating and emphasizing. Simply stand up straight. Imagine a straight line going from the top of your head, down your back, right to the floor. When you do this, it keeps you from slouching your shoulders forward. Ask your groom to help you stay away of things like slouching if it’s a habit. Have a secret code like saying “SB” (shoulders back), if he sees you doing this during photos.
5. CHECK YOUR ARMS
Hold your arm(s) slightly away from your body. The key is to not press your arm to your body, or his. During wedding photos with your groom, there are a lot of “place your hand on his chest,” and “hold each other around the waist,” and many other potentially arm flattening poses. You don’t want your arm to look larger than it really is.
6. TURN TO THE SIDE AND MAKE A “T” WITH YOUR FEET
Photos head on can make you appear larger than you are. It’s important to angle your body. Your foot facing the camera should be pointing at the camera and that heal should be resting in the arch of your back foot forming a “T”. To make this second nature, practice in front of a full length mirror. See how your body looks at this angle vs. a front facing angle. Get familiar with how it feels. Keep in mind, you won’t have the opportunity to check yourself on the day of. It’s important to know how it feels.
And there you have it! This is how to look amazing in your wedding day photos! These are the tips I wish I would have taken to heart for my own wedding pictures. Had I done so, I could have prevented so many picture posing faux pas. I hope they help you get the MOST AMAZING WEDDING DAY PICS EVER! Photos you will love forever and be ecstatic to share! Actually, I know you will!
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