Even if you want candid-style wedding photos, you can’t expect your photographer to chase silently behind you and your groom all day and wind up with a portfolio of perfect wedding pictures. The most laid-back bride and groom, from a photographer’s perspective, should still start their wedding day with a list of “must get” shots. Here are five I think you should include:
- A really gorgeous portrait of the two of you. (Here’s why.)
- A “generations shot” with your mom and grandma.
- Photos of your youngest wedding guests—and your oldest.
- A “first look” photo. If you and your groom will see each other before the ceremony, plan where you’ll meet up and make it special. (I just kind of walked outside, where Rory was hanging out with his groomsmen. So anticlimactic.) In one of my all-time favorite first-look photos, ever (above), my friend Madhu’s wedding photographer told her groom to sneak up behind her and say something dirty. I’m not sure if you could re-create the moment, but I just love this photo.
- THE kiss, of course.
Obviously this is the short-short list, but I think it’s a concise jumping-off point for couples who just aren’t into the whole “posed photos” bit. If you’re truly laid-back, from there you can ask your photographer to just give special attention to the moments that you’re calling attention to: first dance, dancing with your dad, cutting the cake. While everyone’s just sitting around and eating, she can probably chill with the photo-taking. You probably DON’T need a posed photo of everyone at each table. Or these four pics:
- Any photo that involves your bridesmaids flashing their butt cheeks.
- Food photos. What are you going to do with shrimp cocktail platter portrait, exactly? (The exception, IMO, is the wedding cake.)
- Posed photos that make you feel like a tool. Including but not limited to: peeking out from behind trees, wedding party jumping in the air, holding hands in a field, lying across the groomsmen’s arms, having your groom peek up your dress.
- “Morning after” photos. Just ew.
What photos are on your “must take” list?
P.S. Want to look pretty in your wedding pictures? (Duh.) Give THIS to your photographer ahead of time.