Want to look your very best in your wedding photos? Of course you do, and the good news is that there’s absolutely no such thing as being un-photogenic, because looking good in photos is a skill that you can totally master. It’s all about knowing the right way to pose, wearing the right make-up and having the best lighting.
The following tips will ensure that all your wedding photos are keepers, so that’s one less thing to worry about on your wedding day.
Choose the right venue
A venue with lots of natural light is the best setting for good photographs. If you’re going for getting-ready shots then you should think about the lighting in the room you’ll get ready in too- a nice, light hotel room is much more flattering than a gloomy church basement.
Watch your posture
If you aren’t used to being in front of the camera then having it flashing away at you all day can be a little daunting, and being self-conscious means that you’re more likely to slouch. So if you find yourself slouching, shoulders back, chest forward and stand up straight!
Grab a prop
Don’t know what to do with your hands? Pick up your bouquet or a drink. Problem solved.
If in doubt, try the celebrity pose
Want to know why celebs look so good in photos? It’s because they’ve been taught the most flattering ways to pose for the camera. Take a leaf out of their book and whip out the classic celebrity pose for your posed photos with your bridesmaids and family (if you’re worried about looking like an idiot then you can always practise in the mirror at home first).
Stand with your hips at a 45 degree angle to the camera, put your weight on your back foot and cross your other leg in front with a slightly bent knee so that you don’t look too stiff. Put your hand on your hip, and don’t forget to smile! And speaking of smiling…
Practise your smile
There’s no need to feel silly about it. You could also look through some old photos to see which smiles and poses make you look your best and try to replicate them.
Remember that you don’t have to grin away for every snap
That will only cause face-ache. Natural, un-posed photos can look really nice, and wedding photos where your expression is exactly the same in every one are boring anyway.
Embrace the pale
Cameras have a tendency to pick up on yellow and orangey tones, so go easy on the spray-tan/bronzer and beware of some darker foundations if you want to avoid the tangerine look. This will be especially noticeable when you’re standing next to bridesmaids without fake-tan and your skin-tones are very different.
Pack a touch-up kit
Include powder, blush, lipstick and anything you might want to touch-up during the day. If you don’t want to carry it around you can put it in the toilets or give it to one of your bridesmaids to hold.