8 tips to help level up your photos on wedding day
Michelle & Emerson's intimate Freycinet elopement
8 portrait session tips for first time couples
(5 minute read time)
Picture this, You've never been photographed before. Do you think you will feel a bit awkward in front of the camera? Not big on PDA? Don't know what to do with your hands? Never had a person watching you kiss? I got you! I've been photographing couples just like you for the past 6 years.
Being a documentary style wedding photographer, my photoshoots are never super stylised or posed because I know that you want photos that are authentic and candid. You want real photos? Here's a few tips!
1) Focus on your partner
If you begin to feel awkward or uncomfortable in front of the camera, focus back on your partner. Check each other out, admire the colours in their eyes or focus on your favourite freckle!
2) Have something, or someone to hold
If you’ve ever thought ‘what do I do with my hands?’ while you’re getting your photo taken, you’re not alone. Why do you think people do peace signs in photos? The best part about couple photos is there's two of you, so you should pretty much always have something to hold! When you feel a bit awkward with your hands and what they are doing, hold each other, grab onto something, some skin, some clothing, whatever! It’s comforting and makes for natural and romantic photos! If you opt for some solo portraits, be sure to bring along your bouquet or a cool accessory. If your pants or dress have pockets - utilise them too for some casual chic!
3) Have something to say
Whether it’s a compliment, a movie quote or an inside joke, note down something ahead of time. Keep it to yourself until it’s just the two of you (and your photographer) and then whisper it to each other when you’re being photographed! This is a great way to capture a truly authentic moment between the two of you!
4) Don’t be afraid to improvise
In between directions if you feel like trying an epic dip, a spinning hug or a gentle forehead kiss, just do it! No matter what your photographer directs, The most authentic moments in your photoshoot will always be those unplanned moments that just happen and that just feel right.
5) Always finish a kiss
If your photographer or videographer asks you to have a pash for a minute while they get the shot from a few different angles, don't give yourself pash rash!
Let your kiss naturally finish like it would if you were having a smooch on the couch. End it with a few little pecks or a neck kiss or ear nibble. Then, once its over, start again if you need to! 5 small kisses is much more enjoyable than one long one, and again, it's often those in between moments that translate better on the camera anyway!
6) Close your body language
This tip is huge! Imagine you are both facing the camera and your photographer told you to kiss. What would you do?
I've found 9 times out of 10 couples will keep their feet facing the camera, have their outside arms just dangling there, inside arms around eachothers backs and necks turned for the kiss. This is awkward as!!
Try turning your entire bodies, face your feet towards eachother and grab eachother with both hands and kiss.
That feels better, doesnt it? It looks better too!
7) Bring mints
Your partner might love you regardless of your stanky breath, but it will make you self-conscious and lets be honest, its not going to be enjoyable for either of you, especially whoever is on the receiving end! The last thing you want is to feel uncomfortable with any part of yourself while you are being photographed. So, I can’t stress this enough: pack mints!
8) Get to know your photographer!
This one might not always be possible, but try to catch up with your photographer for a quick drink one night before your wedding or catch up for a coffee a few times before your day. If you are friends with your photographer, it will show through in your photos and you and your partner will feel at ease and comfortable. You might be a super busy person and that’s okay, Try to jump on a zoom call, ask them for ideas or show them your ideas. Keep them in the loop with your planning or send them photos of your pets! I’m sure they would appreciate that. Why not book in an engagement session before your wedding. It’s a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera and you can use the photos for your save the date or wedding website.
Robyn & Tom's Wedding
My day began in Tom’s ute where we drove around Robyn’s family farm looking for some cows to get some photos with. A bit of paddock bashing to start the day. Why not!?
Here we had a fun couple session amongst the cows and in the big open paddocks. It was the perfect overcast day for early afternoon portraits!
Sparks flew as the love birds got in front of the camera, absolutely in their element surrounded by a herd of cows and around the incredible green pastures.
After knocking out all their portraits and then family photos, all there was to do with the rest of their day was to enjoy themselves and get hitched!
It was then off to Curringa Farm where Tom & Robyn tied the knot framed by Hamilton’s rolling hills and Curringa farm’s beautiful little lake.
A night spent eating delicious food, listening to hilarious and heartwarming speeches from family and friends and being serenated by the talented Jess and Sean from Oberon Lane.
Scroll to see a tonne of cows and one the most beautiful farm weddings I’ve been a part of.
Pre-wedding - Styx River Farm
Ceremony/Reception - Curringa Farm @curringafarm
Hair & Make up - Talia Quirk Artistry @taliaquirkartistry
Celebrant - Zana Forster
Music - Oberon Lane @oberonlane
Catering - Will Chapman Catering
Hannah & Josh's Wedding
Hannah and Josh held a little ceremony at Bothwell's beautiful Ratho farm late last year. Their undeniable chemistry gave me goosebumps all day. I had so much fun with them and their fam and friends as we explored the property and gave some love to all the 4 legged residents.
Makeup - Talia Quirk Artistry - @taliaquirkartistry
Hair - Genre Hair - @genre.hair
Ceremony & Reception - Ratho Farm - @rathofarm
Suits - Rodd and Gunn - @tailoredroddandgunn
Dress - Madi Lane Bridal - @madilanebridal
Matt & May’s Wedding
May and Matt had a beautiful ceremony on Cremorne beach. After running around the beach and filling my blundstones with the beautiful white Tasmanian sand, We took some photos on the dunes and then I took them for a quick ride in my van back to their reception venue at Clifton Beach.
I almost choked on my bao bun after seeing May emerge from her room in a stunning black gown, so we decided we needed more photos immediately.
This was my first "no shoes" wedding reception and I honestly loved it. Nothing quite like shooting a wedding reception in your socks. A bit slippery, but very fun. Would highly recommend.
I almost choked on my bao bun after seeing May emerge from her room in a stunning black gown, so we decided we needed more photos immediately.
This was my first "no shoes" wedding reception and I honestly loved it. Nothing quite like shooting a wedding reception in your socks. A bit slippery, but very fun. Would highly recommend.
Makeup - Jorja Rezaie
Hair - Lara from Anywhere4Hair - @a4hairandmakeup
Post ceremony ritual - Endota Spa - @endotaspa
Suits - Les Lees Hobart - @lesleeshobart
Dress/s - Wedding gown - Sasha by Made With Love - @madewithlovebridal
Black gown - V neck Black Evening Gown by Storeenvy
Rings - Metal Urges - @metalurgesfinejewellery, Michael Hill
Live music - Scarlett Creek - @islandentertainmenttas
Celebrant - Diane Strong from Chardonnay Ceremonies
Wedding Location - Cremorne Beach
Reception venue - Nethoba Beach House, Clifton Beach
Catering - Munchies Street Food @munchiesstreetfood
Cake - Chelsea Clare Cakes - @chelseaclarecakes1
Photos - Me :)
Kirsty and Julian's surprise wedding
I’ve never been to a surprise wedding before and it honestly blew my expectations out of the ball park.
You don’t have to imagine because I have photos right here, but think Bruny Island, beautiful moody skies,
friends and family, a cute black lab named Indie running around and of course the loved up Kirsty and Julian
with their beautiful son Ruairidh, the stars of the show.
If you told me this was my second last wedding before shit hit the fan and I lost work for 6 months,
I honestly wouldn’t mind.
We spent the afternoon enjoying the wild Tassie weather, eating good food and exploring Bruny Island.
Love revisiting these photos!
Location: Bruny Island, Tasmania.
Celebrant: Naomi Buczek
Flowers: Bunches Florist, Kingston @bunches_florist_kingston_tas
Dress & hair piece: Island Brides, Hobart @island_brides
Rings: Metal Urges, Hobart - Custom made by Jeff @metalurgesfinejewellery
Beauty: White Sage Beauty, Hobart @whitesageskinandwellness
Styling: Kirsty
Catering: Mother in law
Cake: Mother in law
Photos : Me
Brodie & Lauren's wedding
Brodie & Lauren met at a Launceston nightclub where I can only assume Brodie wooed Lauren with his showstopping dance moves.
Who would have known that 7 years later they would be getting hitched in the beautiful Hollybank Forest Reserve 15 minutes north.
Such an awesome day full of forestry, fun, family and friends.
Ceremony: Hollybank Forest Reserve, Underwood
Reception: Penny Royal, Launceston - @pennyroyalwinebarandrestaurant
Hair and makeup: U.R.unique - @u.r.unique_hair_styling_beauty
Men's hair: Launceston Barbers - @launceston_barbers
Stylists: Ash & Brad Bespoke - @ashandbradbespoke
Rings: Haab Designer Jewellers - @haabdesignerejewellers
Ceremony catering: Dolce & Salato Tasmania - @dolceandsalatotasmania
Celebrant: Dudley Corbett
Dress: Frank's Bridal, Latrobe
Suits: Torque, Devonport
Photos: Me :).
Mick & Min’s wedding
Mic and Min are one of the sweetest couples I have met. Quite literally.
They are co-owners and dessert legends at Honey Badger dessert cafe in Salamanca.
These two lovers had the funnest Thursday evening wedding at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed.
I think about this one all the time, so i thought I should finally share a little blog about it!
Venue - Willie Smith’s Apple Shed - @williesmithsappleshed
Florals - Whimsy - @whimsyflorist
Music - Jay Jarome - @jayjarome
Kate & Alec's Wedding
What do you get when you mix Falls Festival with The Notebook? Kate and Alec’s dream wedding!
It was such a special day and I’m excited to share this one with you.
Film - Vagabond Creative (Jizelle White) - @vagabondcreative.media
Venue - Beverley Estate @beverley_estate
Hair - Ben O'Brien @benobrienhairstylist
Make-up - Sarah Whittison @sarahwittinson
Catering - Farmhouse Spit Roasts
Wedding film by Vagabond Creative