How to Achieve Amazing Wedding Portraits in 15 Minutes

12/06/2024

You want and know you need to invest in photography for your big day but you have been wondering how to achieve amazing wedding portraits in 15 minutes…

I totally get it. Whether you are camera-shy or you love the idea of being photographed, it’s natural to feel a little nervous. I’ve worked at over 300 weddings over the past decade and none of my couples have ever been professional models. It’s totally understandable that you’ll be unsure of how to pose, worry it’ll be super awkward and have feelings of apprehension.

Most importantly, you just want to relax with your guests on your wedding day. Not spend hours of posing, right?!

Well, you don’t need to worry as I’m here to help with all of this. I’ve been a professional wedding photographer covering Worcestershire and beyond for the past twelve years. I am about to let you in on the secrets to achieving those beautiful wedding portraits you have been dreaming of, without spending hours posing or feeling awkward.

6 Ways to get Amazing Wedding Portraits in 15 Minutes…

Choosing the Right Photographer

Embarking on the quest to find your perfect wedding photographer?

Seek a professional whose style you love and who matches the vibe for your wedding day. Ensure your selected photographer can deliver your desired aesthetic.

Photography is such a personal thing which is why it’s so important to choose a photographer who makes you feel completely at ease in the spotlight. The comfort level you share with them often makes the difference between stiff, unnatural photos and fun, relaxed images filled with your personalities.

When selecting a photographer, bear in mind that you are not simply hiring someone to take photos. Rather, you are entrusting them with capturing the love, joy, and emotions of your wedding day and providing memories you will cherish forever.

Do remember, the photographer you choose should resonate with you, understand your vision, and put you at ease from the very beginning. Getting to know your photographer with an in-person or video chat before you book will help a lot with this, and will also give you the opportunity to ask questions and share any apprehensions you may have about your photographs.

Choose a photographer who makes you feel at ease for quick natural wedding portraits!

Get in touch with me to book a relaxed, no-obligation in-person or video chat to discuss your wedding photography and let’s see if we are an ideal match!

Picking the Perfect Location

The location of your wedding portraits plays a key role as it acts as the backdrop where your wedding story unfolds.

It’s more than just scenery. It’s a place that breathes life into your images, adding depth and context. So, how do you pick that spot that perfectly encapsulates your shared journey?

Essentially, your wedding portraits will reflect why you chose your particular venue to get married in. What made you fall in love with it? 

If you’ve opted for a rustic barn venue then it’s great to get photographs against the exposed brick and natural architecture of the buildings. Maybe your wedding day is in a historic location that you love, make sure you get amazing portraits in the venue’s spaces that reflect this. Or perhaps you love the grounds of your venue. Maybe visit a picturesque field or a walled garden filled with flowers.

Drawing from my experience and having worked at numerous venues, I can quickly and efficiently select locations that are both aesthetic and unique to each venue. These might include the charming cloisters at Stanbrook Abbey, the majestic oak tree at Bredenbury Court Barns, or the stunning Italian Gardens at Arley House and Gardens.

Also, don’t forget to consider the play of natural light. Locations bathed in soft light will enhance the quality of your wedding portraits.

Timing Your Shoot for the Best Light

To add an extra sprinkle of magic to your natural wedding portraits, aim to capture them during ‘the golden hour’. This is the window of time shortly after the sun rises or just before it sets. The light during these hours is simply beautiful; softer and more flattering than harsh, direct sunlight.

If your wedding venue is indoors, try to coordinate your photoshoot during a time when natural light generously floods the room. This will enhance your portraits with a soft, ethereal quality that’s hard to replicate artificially.

I usually break up your portraits into two or three small sections of the day, rather than one longer section. This maximises your time with guests and means you get multiple chances to find the perfect spaces and best light. However, always remember that it’s your day. Don’t feel compelled to shuffle around your itinerary for the sake of achieving perfect lighting.

Keeping It Real

It’s not always about perfect poses or the most extravagant locations, but rather, it’s about authenticity. When it comes to your portraits, nothing is more appealing than seeing genuine emotion and real, unfiltered moments.

Rather than striking stiff, rehearsed poses, just let things flow naturally. Share a joke, a whisper or a soft kiss. Tell each other how you felt getting ready that morning. How it felt to lock eyes as you met for the first time that day at your ceremony.

These natural interactions often result in the most authentic images and even better natural wedding portraits that don’t take long at all. We’re there to make sure you look your best however we don’t waste time posing you into “perfect” positions, rather, letting you just be yourselves! 

Dress Comfortably and Feel Beautiful

Restrictive clothing can stifle your natural expressions and movements, leaving you looking and feeling uncomfortable in your photographs. If you feel fabulous, you will radiate that in every frame.

Steer clear of outfits that make you feel self-conscious or uneasy. Instead, choose something that celebrates your individuality and makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Your wedding outfit should be an extension of your personality.

As for make-up, the goal is to accentuate, not alter, your natural beauty. Strive for a look that makes you feel effortlessly beautiful, yet still recognisably you.

Trust Your Photographer

Placing your trust in your chosen photographer is the final, yet crucial step in the journey to achieving natural wedding portraits. We are, after all, the trained eyes who have navigated many a wedding day. Be open to our advice and let our professional intuition guide you.

However, this isn’t to say that your voice should be silenced. Should you find yourself feeling uneasy or if you have a particular vision you are passionate about, express it.

As your photographer, I am your partner in this amazing journey. I want to create images and memories that’ll make you feel amazing and that help you to relive your wedding day over and over again.

Book Wedding Photography Near You!

Now you know how to achieve amazing wedding portraits in 15 minutes…

Your natural wedding photography is one of the most important things that you invest in for your wedding day – capturing every detail, moment and emotion for you to look back and remember forever. 
Get in touch with me to enquire about my wedding photography and see if we are an ideal match!

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