Couple Portraits

As a Long Island wedding photographer, I’ve gained some knowledge on how to make sure you look and feel comfy in your wedding photos.

Your couple portraits are the ones you are going to hang in your home, so let's talk. We want to make sure that you are fully prepared for them.

One thing to know is that I will always guide you through photos. I'm not gonna let you sit there and figure out what face to make or where to put your hands. I'm totally here for ya! As a documentary style photographer, I don’t do awkward and stiff poses, but instead incorporate movement in your prompts.

Try to remember that if you feel stiff and awkward - you may look that way. Loosen up, you're marrying the love of your life! Try to interact with each other the way you would if I wasn't there. Don't worry about having eyes on the camera unless I say so. Just be yourselves, and try not to worry too much about me.

Portraits can be done either before the ceremony with a first look, or after the ceremony. Just be prepared to miss some or all of your cocktail hour if you opt out of a first look - because during that time we'll be doing portraits, bridal party, and family photos.

It's best for these to take place not during peak sun hours. So, for the summer, this is any time from 9am-5:30. 6:00pm on is when the light starts to get nice and soft for photos. Of course if it's a cloudy day, this doesn't really apply, but there's no way to know what the weather will be like. But, I have taken photos during peak sun. If this is your only option, it's best to select a background where we will be able to find shade. Trees, buildings. etc. The middle of the beach at 1pm in July is not the best option.
Your photographer should of course give you suggestions and let you know if they have any concerns about your photos, but having these details ahead of time can be helpful so you know what to expect when planning!

Last things to keep in mind are any insecurities you have or favorite sides of your face. Please make your photographer aware of these so that on the day of, they can be sure to get your most beautiful self in a way that you will be pleased to look at later on.

There's no need to stress this part - you got this!

Bridal Party Photos

The photos with your closest loved ones and friends! These can be super fun and a great experience if you are prepared. Most photographers have a standard list that they go by: Whole bridal party, bride and bridesmaids, groom and groomsmen, and individuals with each bridal party member. If you have any different requests, let them know in your questionnaire or by email! They’ll note them on your timeline day of, so they don't miss it.

These photos take about 30 minutes of your timeline.

The best way to prepare for this is to make sure that each member of your bridal party has a copy of your timeline and knows when to be where. The worst is when you are on a limited schedule and have to send off your maid of honor to track down one of your bridal party members!

Communicate with your bridal party members that these photos are super important for you and ask them to be team players. Remind them the goal for these is to get AWESOME photos for you to remember your day by so the more they cooperate with me and my second shooter, the better the photos will come out! Lots of movement and fun is perfect for bridal party photos.

Family Formals

More photos of your most important people!

As with bridal party, most photographers have a standard list, so be sure to contact your photographer to give them any additions to that list. They will make sure to grab it on the day of. You will also want to share your timeline with every family member you will want in these photos so that they are where we need them when we need them.

For extended family such as aunts and uncles, I highly recommend doing these throughout the night at the reception. It can end up being overwhelming and taking a lot of time to do a ton of different combinations of family photos during your cocktail hour time. I usually recommend doing your immediate family after the ceremony, which includes parents and siblings (and any nieces or nephews you may have, just because they will most likely be with your siblings during family photos anyway, so may as well get them in it.)

Designate a family member or bridal party member who knows both sides of your family well enough to be able to call out names. The second photographer usually also helps, but it's best to have someone who will recognize faces to help with this too! Especially if you end up having to chase someone down because they weren't where they were supposed to be. (again, sending them the timeline in advance will hopefully avoid this!)

Communicate to your family and bridal party what kind of photography you want for your wedding day. You know you want candid, documentary images, but your loved ones might not understand that.

The most important thing to remember is to be yourself. The self you would be if there wasn’t a photographer following you around. I know that can feel hard but trust me, when you hire a photographer whose more like a friend, it’s easy. One thing I highly reccomend if you are camera shy is an engagement photoshoot! The reason for this is you will get to experience being on camera with the photographer you are considering for your wedding day. This way you KNOW if they’re the one! If you’re picking the right photographer, you’ll feel how comfortable you are with them and it will ease your mind and worries.

If you are looking for a photographer who captures candid, romantic, and carefree photos, you can reach out here!