Formal portraits are a large part of the wedding day, so making sure you understand all aspects of what you’ll be going through is important! I’ve broken down the top 5 milestones of portraits below.

The First Look + Bride & Groom Portraits

The First Look is a super sweet time of day when the bride and groom see each other and take portraits together before the ceremony. The learn about the benefits of choosing a first look, please read my previous post on How to Design Your Day-Of Timeline.

But instead of just focusing on seeing each other at the First Look, you can add some unique personal touches to make it even more special! Here are some examples below:

Private or Public: You can make this moment completely private OR you can allow the wedding party or parents to view the First Look from a distance or through a window.
Read Letters: You can stand back to back and read letters prior to seeing each other.
Open Gifts: You can open gifts from each other in person.
Alone Time: You can take 5-10 minutes of alone time before you head into portraits (this may be your only alone time on your wedding day)!

Individual Portraits

If you choose to have a first look, I love making it fun by allowing your future spouse to be a part of watching your individual portraits. Just think — instead of me asking you to smile off in the distance, you can actually smile directly at your future spouse standing to my side as he stares googlie-eyed at you!

Couples Portraits

After you individual portraits, I love making sure to take some couple portraits. At this point in the day though, you will not have your wedding bands on, so I avoid close-up details shots of your hands. Instead, I make sure to get a great forward-facing portrait, a couple of walking shots, as well as my favorite pose where the groom nuzzles into the bride’s temple (the most flattering angle on any woman). If time allows, I can also capture some epic veil shots and even close-ups of your makeup since it’s super fresh!

Make it Unique

Do you have a unique prop like a vintage car that you plan to use for your exit? This is a great time to incorporate some unique shots with it earlier on in the day with great lighting! Make sure to have someone as the point person to park it in great lighting for the photographer.

The First Touch (5-10 min)

If you choose to forgo a First Look, another option to add in some intentional time together on your wedding day is the First Touch. A "First Touch" on a wedding day is a moment between the couple where they come into physical contact without seeing each other before the actual ceremony. It's a tender and intimate interaction where the couple may hold hands, exchange words, or simply share a moment of connection without laying eyes on each other. This can be a meaningful and emotional experience, adding an extra layer of anticipation and excitement to the upcoming ceremony. The First Touch allows the couple to share a private, quiet moment together before the public and ceremonial aspects of the wedding unfold. It's a way to connect, calm nerves, and savor the special significance of the day.

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Wedding Party Portraits (30 min)

THOSE YOU CHOSE TO STAND BY YOUR SIDE

Wedding Party Portraits are super fun because you’re with all of your best friends and family members. Depending on whether you choose a First Look will determine the when and where of these images.

Full Wedding Party + flower girls, ring bearers, or ushers
Bride & Groom + flower girls, ring bearers, or ushers
Bride & Bridesmaids — Group Shots, Individuals with the Bride
Groom & Groomsmen — Group Shots, Individuals with the Groom

Add-Ons:

Popping Open A Champagne Bottle Together
Capturing The Wedding Party Gifts — (ex. the guys with cigars or girls with jewelry)
The Bride + The Groomsmen; the Groom + The Bridesmaids

Family Portraits

FOR YOUR CLOSEST FAMILY MEMBERS

Family Portraits can be very challenging to corral everyone in a timely manner. That’s why I love encouraging Family Portraits to take place either immediately before or immediately after the ceremony. Every family has different dynamics that I need to be aware of. Let me know about any immediate family divorces, those who cannot handle flash photography or any elderly who cannot get around easily. This may determine how these photos take place.

Sample Family Portrait List

This list is a starting point and I’m happy to take any requested family portraits! *A Second Shooter is a great add-on during this time because they can capture family units to the side.

Bride’s Family:

Bride & Groom + Officiant or Pastor
B&G + Both Sets of Parents
B&G + Bride's Full Extended Maternal Family (Parents, G-parents, Siblings, Aunts & Uncles, Cousins, etc.)
B&G + Bride's Full Extended Paternal Family (Parents, G-parents, Siblings, Aunts & Uncles, Cousins, etc.)
B&G + Bride's Parents + Maternal G-parents + Siblings
B&G + Bride's Parents + Paternal G-parents + Siblings
B&G + Bride's Parents + Bride's Siblings
B&G + Bride's Parents
B&G + Bride's Siblings
Bride + Mom
Bride + Dad

Groom’s Family:

B&G + Groom’s Full Extended Maternal Family (Parents, G-parents, Siblings, Aunts & Uncles, Cousins, Etc.)
B&G + Groom’s Full Extended Paternal Family (Parents, G-parents, Siblings, Aunts & Uncles, Cousins, Etc.)
B&G + Groom’s Parents + Maternal G-parents + Siblings
B&G + Groom’s Parents + Paternal G-parents + Siblings
B&G + Groom's Parents + Groom's Siblings
B&G + Groom's Parents
B&G + Groom's Siblings
Groom + Mom
Groom + Dad

Husband & Wife Sunset Portraits

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR LOVE STORY

Whether you choose a First Look or not, your Husband and Wife Portraits need to take place 1-1.5 hour(s) before sunset to obtain the best light possible.

If you chose a First Look, the majority of your portraits will be taken earlier on in the day. Therefore, we can make this time closer to 15 minutes as you will be ready to join the cocktail hour or reception.

If you chose a traditional aisle reveal, then you will need an entire 30 minutes to capture all of the necessities.