Natural light is an important part of my vision for my photography. On a wedding day, I will enter the bride’s getting ready room and I immediately begin to look for a window that is providing natural light. This light is generally even, indirect, and soft. I find that this situation offers the best light for getting ready images and bridal or groom portraits.
This is the point in the day where the tears begin from the bride’s mother and the bridesmaids squeal in excitement to see their friend in her beautiful dress. Most importantly, the bride sees herself in the mirror for the first time as she will look walking down the aisle. The reality that the wedding day is finally here begins to sink in and it’s such a wonderful and delicate thing to capture these emotions. This is such an intimate time for the bride especially if there are significant pieces that a family member has included for her. It could be a borrowed piece of jewelry from her grandmother or a small snippet of her mother’s wedding dress. With these images being of such importance, I can’t stress enough how important good light is.
Three tips to ensure stunning getting ready images:
- Open the windows and blinds. Let the natural window light fill the room. If the bride is getting ready in a room that doesn’t have natural window light, chat beforehand and discuss options for locations to put on the dress and those sentimental pieces. Sometimes these getting ready spots will be in the entry way of a church or home to ensure these is beautiful light that will result in stunning images.
- Clean out the clutter. Make sure the area near the window is free of bridesmaids bags, food, hair dryers, extra clothing, etc. All of this stuff can easily be moved and will make the environment look better for when the dress is ready to be laced up. Ask the bridesmaids to help out so nothing is lost or misplaced.
- Have the bridesmaids in their dresses. This again will help with the clutter. You wouldn’t want a bridesmaid lacing up the dress in her high school basketball t-shirt and shorts. Instead, have them in their dresses surrounding the bride as she gets ready.
Not all indoor locations are perfect, but with a few extra minutes you can make the space look amazing.
