There is so much to think about when planning a wedding and I know it can be overwhelming. However, if you’re a bride and you’ve invested in really high quality photography, I bet you want the BEST pictures possible! And while a photographer should be able to make the most out of every situation, there are some things a bride can do to help a photographer out! Today I’m just focusing on the “getting ready” portion of the day. I LOVE the moments when the dress is going on and the bridesmaids are squealing and mom starts tearing up. These are really incredible moments…. and they deserve some incredible light too! Wouldn’t you agree?

It doesn’t take much… I just need ONE window with natural light, just one! I will run as far away from fluorescent lighting as I can, as it’s just not flattering. One window with natural light pouring in can make all the difference in the world! I realize brides are not photographers (for the most part) and so this may not seem like a big deal… but it is. Light plays a crucial role in ALL of your images and I actually plan your portraits around what the light is doing. So brides, whether you’re getting ready in a hotel room, or a bedroom at home, look for light!

Two other factors that go into making gorgeous “getting ready” portraits are this:

1. CLEAN the area around the window. No one wants water bottles and hairspray in all of their portraits!

2. Have your bridesmaids IN their dresses before you put your dress on, so that it creates a unified look!