What are bridal portraits and should you take them?
Wedding days are hectic and your photographer has so many details to capture that it can be tricky to squeeze in time for the perfect portrait shots. Those where you're looking gorgeously serene and the very best version of yourself. Which is how we all want to look on our wedding day right? Well that's where bridal portraits come in. So what are bridal portraits and should you arrange to have them? We asked New York wedding photographer and Fine Art Curation member Anna Gianfrate to share all the details to help you decide.
More time, less stress
Bridal portraits are a special photoshoot separate from the actual wedding day. These sessions are different from engagement photos because bridal portraits are all about you. You'll get dressed up as just as you will on your wedding day and spend some one-on-one time with your photographer in a relaxed and intimate setting. It's good to practice being in front of the camera and you'll feel far less self conscious without wedding guests hanging around. Your photographer can really focus on details such as the swish of your dress or that special piece of jewelry.
Dress rehearsal
Bridal portrait sessions are becoming increasingly popular because they are a great opportunity to test run your hair, makeup, dress, jewelry, and flowers before the big day. Trialing your look and seeing how everything looks on camera allows you to make any adjustments and can ease anxieties in the run up to the wedding morning. It also gives you chance to break in those expensive (and often uncomfortable) shoes! Bridal portraits allow you to figure out how to make everything more comfortable for the big day so you can focus on having a wonderful time with your guests.
Additional costs
Bridal portraits are a growing trend that benefits both the photographer and the couple. Many photographers now offer bridal portraits in their list of services and if not, are likely to oblige if you wish to arrange one. You will also need to factor in additional costs into your wedding budget for the extra hair and make-up sessions and another bridal bouquet. It's definitely worth it though to capture you at this special time in life, get comfortable in front of the camera and try out your bridal look to ease any anxiety, so chat through the options with your photographer.
All photography by Anna Gianfrate
