Other Moments Your Wedding Photographer Should Capture
From proposals to bridal portraits, you may want to consider hiring a photographer for extra sessions.
Photo: Derek Chad Photography
Your photographer’s main job is to capture all the special moments from your wedding day, but that’s not their only claim to fame—many photographers offer their services for a variety of occasions.
From proposals to bridal portraits, you may want to consider hiring a photographer for extra sessions aside from the wedding.
Proposal
More and more “proposers” are hiring a photographer to capture their proposal on camera, and it’s a trend that we can definitely get behind. The reason is a no-brainer: Having photos of your proposal allows you to relive (and share) the moment over and over again for the rest of your lives. Yes, please!
Engagement Session
Once you’ve popped the question, an engagement session is a fun way for you and your brand-new fiancé(e) to enjoy some time together in front of the camera. If you’re shy about having your photo taken, think of the engagement session as practice for your big day. Some photographers offer engagement sessions as part of their packages, partly because it’s a great opportunity for them to get to know you and your partner before the wedding (and vice versa).
Bridal Portraits
A popular Southern tradition, bridal portraits are typically taken a few weeks before your wedding day. Not only do the photos serve as keepsakes long after the wedding is over, but the session itself can act as a “test run” for everything from your wedding gown and accessories to your hairstyle, makeup and bouquet. More importantly, a bridal portrait session allows for a more laid-back timeline compared to your wedding day, and you can take your time getting used to posing and working with your photographer. Following tradition, a selection of the portraits are eventually displayed at the wedding reception.
First Look
Technically, the “first look” takes place on your wedding day, but depending on your contract, you might need to hire your photographer for additional coverage (i.e. an earlier start time). First, decide if you should have a first look—45 percent of couples do! The benefit? Seeing your future spouse for the first time on the wedding day is a much-anticipated moment that’s usually surrounded by butterflies and emotions. The first look is a chance for you and your S.O. to soak in the moment without a crowd of people watching. It’s also a way to get some of your portraits done before the ceremony, which means you can get to the reception much more quickly.
Anniversary Session
After you’ve said “I do,” you might consider celebrating a special anniversary (one year, five years, etc.) with a photo shoot. By now, you and your spouse should be pros at posing for the camera, so don’t be afraid to have a bit of fun! Choose a favorite spot as your backdrop, or use the session as an excuse to get dressed up and go someplace new that you’ve always wanted to visit. If you have children or pets, you can include them in the session as a way of capturing how your family has grown.
Auxiliary Events
Chances are, you’ll be busy with celebratory events in the days and weeks leading up to your big day. Ask your photographer if they’ll photograph the other wedding-related events for you, such as your engagement party, wedding shower(s), rehearsal dinner, or morning-after brunch.
