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The Best Wedding Photography Portfolio Examples of 2023

Whether you already have a wedding photography website or are building one from scratch, it’s always a good idea to look at other inspiring portfolios to get ideas for your own. You can review your site a few times each year to see what content or design might need to be refreshed. We’ve done the hard part for you by collecting gorgeous wedding photography portfolio examples that you can click through for inspiration; you’re sure to find some fresh ideas for how you can design your own.

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Beautiful Day Photography

Laura Grier of Beautiful Day Photography has spent the past 22 years working as a photojournalist on all 7 continents and has made a life out of exploring the world, capturing, and writing about her experiences. She has been a platform speaker for WPPI, WIPA, Canon, Zenfolio, Step Up Women’s Network, and the Wedding MBA Conference.
Presently, she is a Los Angeles and Miami based Photojournalist, Travel Writer, and owner of both Beautiful Day Photography (specializing in Destination Weddings) and Laura Grier Travel, featuring her Fine Art Prints, travel workshops, and behind-the-scenes of her jet setting around the world. Laura’s ability to combine her love of travel, adventure, weddings, and art into a chic, colorful perspective, has made her a renowned International photographer.

Stephanie Michelle Photography

Stephanie Schnautz of Stephanie Michelle Photography is a wife, mother, flight attendant, and photographer based in San Diego, CA. Specializing in wedding and newborn photography, Stephanie excels at capturing natural expressions and genuine moments between loved ones. She has a passion for creating timeless portraits that inspire joyful smiles from her clients, even years later. Stephanie believes that a portrait is more than just a picture, it is a memory turned into art; nothing makes her happier than seeing her work on the walls of her clients.

Amy Helt Photography

Amy Helt is a Madison, WI area photographer who specializes in weddings, maternity, newborns, and seniors. She started her photography business in 2012 and quit her job to transition to full time in 2019. Amy’s images reflect her joy in building connections with people and her skill at creating a safe space where clients can feel relaxed and have fun. She has a passion for capturing her clients vision and “the good stuff”; little details that show the emotions of the couple and their loved ones on their wedding day, from stolen smiles to a glance glistening with joyful tears to silly laughs between the couple or their family.

Ardee Chua Photography

Ardee Chua is a Nashville, TN wedding photographer who is influenced by his early work with street photography. His goal both then and now is creating vibrant images that are classically beautiful and people focused. His work carries traditional aesthetics, while being fresh and modern through lively colors and interesting compositions. His images strike a balance of documentary and directed poses, all the while ensuring each photograph tells a story and shares an emotion.

Abby Studio

Abby Studio is a Chicago, IL based photography business specializing in engagements, wedding, newborn, and family. They create timeless, elegant imagery of important milestones and memories in their clients lives. The photographers behind Abby Studio believe that capturing your family story is the beginning of a lifetime of memories to be cherished forever. They serve their clients beautifully by educating them on the value of printing and displaying favorite images with intention in their homes.

Laura Shepard Photography

Laura Shepard has been a lifestyle photographer based in Southern California for over a decade, specializing in weddings, families, and portraits. She turned to photography as a way to cope with the sudden loss of her mother in 2010, and is so grateful for the career it has evolved into. An opportunity to shoot a wedding came very early in this journey and she knew right away that she was in love. Laura’s approach with all her clients, particularly weddings, is to improve their experience during these special moments. She serves as a calming presence that takes the pressure off her clients, so they are free to enjoy their beautiful day with family and friends.

Check Out The Best Wedding Photography Portfolio Examples of 2023

Wedding Photography Ideas For Your Next Event

Are you running out of wedding photo ideas? If so, this list of wedding photography ideas is perfect for seasoned and beginner wedding photographers alike.

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Wedding photo ideas bride and groom.

As a wedding photographer, your main priority should always be the bride and groom. You want to capture your couple in the most relaxed, comfortable, and natural state possible. Doing so will give your photos a sense of authenticity.

If you force your couple into poses that they are uncomfortable with or that don’t speak to them as a couple, you’ll likely end up with photos that feel awkward.

Get to know your couple, read how they’re feeling, embrace ideas that make sense to them as individuals, and don’t be afraid to communicate with your couple. Taking the extra time here and getting these photos right could mean the difference between photos that dazzle and photos that fall a bit flat.

2/10

Fun wedding couple ideas. 

Don’t be afraid to bring some playful ideas into the mix. Just be sure that you do so within your couple’s comfort level. In fact, if you can bring in those fun elements by playing off the couple’s personality, even better.

For example, if your couple loves to dance, get them to dance and capture them in that moment. If they are known for being the life of the party, don’t forget to shoot them having the time of their lives during the reception. You can even bring in props like sparklers or other light sources if you really want to add that element of fun to the images.

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Bride wedding photography ideas.

When it comes to bridal photography, you have no shortage of directions you can go in.

You can shoot portrait style, capturing the bride in a beautifully posed portrait that highlights her whole look.

You can focus on the bride’s dress, capturing the veil, train, or even some details like the buttons down the back of the dress.

As much as these posed photos are important, you should also aim to capture the bride in some candid moments. For instance, dancing at the end of the night or listening to speeches during dinner. These candid moments will really help bring your images to life.

4/10

Wedding boudoir photography.

Do you have an adventurous couple that is looking to shake things up during their photo session? If so, consider suggesting a boudoir wedding photoshoot.

Sassy, sexy, and unique, wedding boudoir photography features the bride and/or groom wearing revealing clothing (i.e. lingerie) and celebrating their upcoming marriage with empowering photos.

Boudoir wedding photography can quickly add some spice to your standard wedding photos.

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Family wedding photo ideas.

When shooting your bride and groom, it’s important to capture them with their family members. The best way to make this part of the day go smoothly is to consult with your bride and groom about which family members are important to capture. For instance, you’ll likely want to pay special attention to immediate family members like brothers, sisters, and parents. It is also good to be aware of any special relations like cousins, grandparents, and aunts/uncles. As part of your pre-wedding talks with the couple make sure to get a list of the family and friend groups they want.

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Wedding party photo ideas.

While you can certainly pose wedding party’s traditionally, there are so many more options to play with. For instance, allowing the party to move around, laugh, and interact with each other allows you to have the best of both worlds: posed photos paired with more candid action. Capturing these friends all having a great time together and getting them moving will make for really authentic photos that don’t feel stiff and awkward.

You can also use the wedding party as a backdrop for the bride and groom. For instance, capture the couple kissing and have the wedding party in the back cheering.

Other notable wedding party photo ideas include capturing the party from the back, making use of the bridesmaids’ bouquets, walking down the street, and even implementing props like sunglasses.

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Sister wedding photos ideas.

If your bride has a sister, be sure to capture the sisters’ interactions throughout the night. You can shoot them during the “getting ready” portion of the day when the sister might be helping the bride put on her dress. You can shoot them at the end of the night when they might be on the dance floor together. And, you should also be sure to capture some posed images of the sisters together.

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Brother wedding photo ideas.

In the same way you capture sisters, you should also capture brothers on the big day. These photos don’t necessarily have to be complicated. In fact, you might find that some brothers are most comfortable shooting simple photos standing next to each other. Alternatively, playful interactions between brothers can make for a great photo opportunity.

In addition, don’t forget about brother/sister photography. For instance, if the bride has a brother, or the groom has a sister, these are equally important pairings to capture throughout the day.

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Small wedding party photo ideas.

You might have fewer people to work with when you have a small wedding party, but don’t forget that this opens up the opportunity for more intimate photos. In turn, the more intimate the shots, oftentimes, the better the photos turn out.

In addition, keep in mind that almost any shot you can do with a large wedding party, you can also do with a small wedding party. Just be prepared to get a bit more up close and personal with the group.

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Wedding photo backdrop ideas.

When shooting at the venue, don’t forget to incorporate some of the decor pieces. Often, you’ll find perfect backdrop opportunities. In fact, in some cases, there might be backdrops incorporated into the decor specifically for picture taking, both for the wedding guests, but also for the bride and groom.

Flower walls, string lights, curtain walls, and flower archways are all pieces that would make for excellent photo opportunities.

Website Templates for Wedding Photographers

Our easy-to-use templates can be personalized into thousands of different design iterations uniquely suited for your business.

Big images highlight the beauty of your work. Ideal for fine art portrait photography.

Feel the excitement and exhilaration as your dynamic images pop off the dark background of this template.

Meriwether

A modern design with a nod to vintage film photography makes this an ideal template for weddings and other special events.

Our new District template features bold fonts and a neutral palette designed to perfectly complement your photos. This template provides an ideal background for any photographer.

A unique carousel with character to showcase your work in minimalist frames that perfectly present your session types and specialized genres.

A striking gallery designed for universal, modern, well-arranged photography images.

After you perfectly capture life in the camera, show its many angles in this grid view design.

Let your images make a big statement in the space of a gorgeous single page site design.

Romantically tell the story of engagements, weddings, and maternity.

A striking template to capture powerful wedding photography.

A soft color palette and elegant script font are the perfect way to display romantic engagement and wedding photos.

Southwest

The black canvas background sets the stage for high contrast photos while evoking a moody style.

Check Out Website Templates for Wedding Photographers

Make A Living

Create Your Online Wedding Photography Portfolio  

Create your online wedding photography portfolio.

As a wedding photographer, it’s essential to have an online presence that showcases your work and attracts potential clients to contact or book you. With all of the options available, choosing the right wedding photography portfolio platform and creating a professional online portfolio of your work that truly stands out can be challenging. Fortunately, in this article, we’ll guide you through creating a visually interesting and client-friendly online wedding photography portfolio.

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Professional Wedding Photography

Getting started in professional wedding photography may overwhelm you, but you have to start somewhere! By reading our guide and gaining an understanding of all things wedding photography, including how to make money doing it, you’ll be off to a great start.

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6 Ways to Book your First Wedding and Get Experience

We asked 4 established wedding photographers who have a combined experience of over 50 years shooting weddings: “How did you book your first wedding and what was the experience like?” This article summarizes the main takeaways from their experience to help you book your first wedding, build your experience, gain confidence, and avoid mistakes.

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I started booking weddings because people knew I was a photographer in my last couple years of college. I had maybe six years of shooting experience doing sports and art photography in college. Good thing I didn’t charge very much money! Film photography was what people expected back then. So I went in and shot very fast, cranking out 10-12 rolls of film.

2/6

The [first] wedding that I shot was at a small little arch Reno Chapel. I did it the way that I recommend nobody shoot a wedding. The reception was at a buffet that wasn’t even booked, so we just went to the back room with 20 people. I played with Photoshop. I didn’t know how to pose anybody. I didn’t have a flash. I just didn’t know what I was doing. Don’t go [in] there blind!

3/6

I went to school for commercial photojournalism. I moved to Los Angeles. I was doing red carpet events. I was shooting for a celebrity headshot studio. A lot of actors were coming in asking if we shot weddings. We started saying yes. I was an assistant back then. We were doing celebrity weddings and I was terrified. We were shooting Larry King’s wedding, Tisha Campbell’s, Julie Fisher’s. And I was just out of my league. But that was such a great experience, because I learned how to deal with clients, how to deal with labs, how to edit, etc. It was great to get that confidence and experience by working for somebody else. And then on my own, I had amazing portraiture and weddings under my belt that I could use in my portfolio.

4/6

The first thing I did was get someone else who knows weddings to come and shoot with me. Because experience in the studio doesn’t always translate well [to weddings]. I brought out a friend of mine who had been shooting weddings for 20 years prior to me. I did that for the first three weddings that I shot. I basically just booked weddings and became the second shooter. It needed to happen because I had demand to shoot before I really had the experience. I had the technical experience. It was about what needed to happen for weddings, specifically. How does a wedding go down? What are the key shots? What’s the timing? All of that needed to happen with experience.

5/6

The two (first) major weddings that I booked were my sisters’ – and they both got married in Europe. That’s what helped launch me doing destination wedding.

6/6

The first thing I did when I became a photographer was reach out to five different wedding photographers in my area who were the photographers. They all said no because I didn’t go to school for photography. So I put an ad on Craigslist. The couple is not married anymore. I actually shot one of the brides again years later. So I booked two weddings out of that.

Professional Wedding Photography Gear

We asked 4 established wedding photographers who have a cover 50 years combined experience of  shooting weddings: “What is the minimum gear that you would recommend to a new wedding photographer in order to start second shooting or even take on a wedding as the lead photographer for the first time?” This article summarizes the main take-aways from the experience shared by our expert panelists to help you buy your first gear and build your wedding photography gear bag over time. 

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1/6

Evan Chung

“A camera, maybe a zoom lens or perhaps just two prime lenses – depending on your focus – and a flash. That’s how we all started. That’s really all you need to really shoot it. Now, to shoot the wedding well with experience, variety and exceptional lighting, you need more stuff, but that’s the baseline.”

2/6

Amanda Whitegiver

“At most venues, you should definitely have a flash. If you don’t have a flash, either buy one or rent one – or borrow one from a friend for the day and familiarize yourself with it first. It’s inevitable that you’re going to be shooting in a smallish space that has bad lighting at some point. And you’re going to be way happier if you have a flash to fill that in or not use the available (possibly) neon greenish lighting in the space.”

3/6

Laura Grier

“If you had to pick and choose your must-haves, I would definitely say the 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses, 2 flashes, extra batteries, and a tripod. Flashes malfunction all the time. And you leave batteries plugged in places and forget them. Also have a second shooter who shoots the same gear as you. It helps because you can borrow stuff from them when something doesn’t work, which I’ve had to do a few times. You definitely have to have a tripod for certain scenarios like doing room shots.”

4/6

Jeramie Lu

“There are so many unpredictable things that happen [at weddings]. [You need an] extra camera body, extra batteries… So much stuff goes into a wedding. If you’re not prepared, we don’t have the option to say ‘I just gotta go home’ or ‘I gotta run to the BestBuy’. We don’t have that option. Renting is amazing. Become friends with local camera shops. Put yourself in a worst case scenario. Just being prepared is the biggest thing.”

5/6

Amanda Whitegiver

“Ideally you want to have a second camera body, because you don’t want to find yourself in a position where your camera has some kind of malfunction and you have no camera. You could have a prime on each camera. Or, you could have a zoom lens on one camera and a prime lens on the other. And that just makes your day so much easier depending on how you like to shoot.

Starting out, just take what you have and then rent. That’s what I would always do until you get established and you can afford it. Rent some gear, because it’s pretty cheap to rent and you can factor that into what you’re charging.”

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Laura Grier

“I started out with the 24-70mm and the 70-200mm lenses. They were the first two lenses I had for a long time. That was before I could afford the 50mm 1.2L. And I really love the 16-35mm lens, because the wide angle gets those dramatic clouds and epic cinematic scenes at a wedding. So those are the two lenses I added later on. Lenses are the most important investment to make. The bodies are changing every couple years, but the lenses will stick with me for a long time.”

How to Build a Steady Stream of Wedding Photography Clients

This article is about helping you become an established wedding photographer with a steady stream of customers. We asked 4 established wedding photographers who have a combined experience of over 50 years shooting weddings: “How do you get your clients? Where are you seeing most of your clients come in?” This article summarizes the main take-aways from the experience shared by our panelists. What’s more, our marketing team who deals with customer acquisition on a daily basis also contributed valuable advice to this piece.

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1/7

When I work with coordinators, they’re only sending their brides 3 choices. So there’s a 33% chance [of getting the job]. So when they call, they’ve almost booked. They’re not wasting my time. That’s why building these relationships [with coordinators] saves you a lot of time because they’ve done the initial work of getting them excited about you.

2/7

Track your data. It’s very important. Figure out where you get your wins and spend more time doing that.

I know that the majority of inquiries come from Yelp, then Google Search, then vendor referral, then referral from past clients, and then word-of-mouth, and then everything else.

3/7

The more you progress and the more you do throughout your years, the more it becomes about […] referrals from vendors and past clients.

4/7

I mainly second shoot. So I am mostly doing a lot of my wedding related work by just knowing other photographers that are local to me.

5/7

Only 10% of Yelp inquiries book [directly]. But if I can get them into a conversation, my close rate becomes 77%. If I’m looking at Google search, I have a 13% close rate, but if I can get them to chat with me, it’s an 83% close rate. Same with referrals from past clients, 50% of them book. But if I can get them to talk, then it’s 77%. For vendor referral, 39% book without talking, and 85% book if I can get them to chat.

6/7

When I started, I tried The Knot, Wedding Wire, and all that. Nothing happened for me at all. I felt like I wasted my money. So that vendor stuff is better.

At this point, it’s just about referrals from vendors and past clients. I am president of an organization in our area. Luckily, I get to network with a ton of vendors.

7/7

I would rather take that [advertising] money and take a coordinator out to lunch, or make a book and leave it at a location. When you advertise, you’re only hitting one set of brides at one time. When you make relationships with coordinators and locations, they’re forever referring stuff to you, for years. It’s just a better investment [than advertising] to invest in them.

Learn It All

Top Wedding Photography Hashtags For 2023

Let’s face it – weddings are a big deal and the photos that the photographer captures are important memories in people’s lives. How do you build your brand as a new or up-and-coming wedding photographer? Proper hashtagging in your wedding photography posts on social media is a great way to start.

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Destination Wedding Hashtags

Destination weddings are continuing to be a go-to option for many couples. Who doesn’t want to get married on a beach, with endlessly beautiful views, fantastic weather, and surrounded by friends and family. Be sure to hashtag the country, city, and resort you are getting married at.

#destinationwedding #weddinggoals #destinationweddingphotographer #weddingideas #weddingmoments #destinationweddings #beachwedding #instawedding #weddingphotographer #luxuryweddings #luxurywedding #dreamwedding #wedmegood #weddingdetails #weddingseason

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Wedding Hair Hashtags

All the details of the wedding day including the wedding hair from the bride and members of the bridal party will be important shots to capture on the big day. This is also a great way to develop partnerships with local wedding vendors since hairstylists may want to use your photographs as a collaboration on Instagram or for other parts of their work.

#bridehair #bridalfashion #bridalhairstyles #bridalhairstyle #hairupdo #weddinghairinspo #bridalupdo #weddinghair #weddinghairstylist #bridal #bridesmaidhair #weddinghairstyle #bridalhairinspo #weddinghairinspo #goodhairday 

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Wedding Venue Hashtags

Pictures of the wedding venue all set up for the big day are always important ones. Make sure you give yourself enough time to capture wedding venue pics before the guests arrive so you can take pictures of the decor within the venue. These pictures are also great to use in collaboration with event planners and the venue, helping to grow your audience and theirs.

#weddingvenue #wedding #weddinginstpiration #weddingday #weddingreception #outdoorwedding #weddingcerenmony #eventplanner #weddingideas #weddingdecor #rusticwedding #weddingdetails #weddingvenues #weddingparty #eventspace

4/10

Wedding Dress Hashtags

Photographs of the wedding dress before it is on, when it is hanging and ready to be put on, pictures of the wedding dress being done up or the bride getting ready, and finally shots of just the bride that showcase the dress itself are all photos the bride will love. Be sure you use wedding dress hashtags for inspiration for other brides to be.

#weddingdress #bride #bridalgown #wedding #bridal #weddingphotography #prewedding #bridalgowns #dress #bridetobe #bridestory #weddingdresses #instawedding #weddings #fashion 

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Wedding First Dance Hashtags

The first dance is a must-have shot from every wedding photographer. It’s one of the first moments between the bride and the groom – it’s one where the world almost seems to stop and it is just the two of them together despite being in a room full of people. Be sure to hashtag the wedding song and the artist to use as inspiration for future couples

#firstdance #wedding #weddingdance #bride #weddingday #weddingdance #dance #firstdanceashusbandandwife #weddingsong #weddingsongs #weddingmusic #justmarried #weddinginspo #love #weddinginspiration

6/10

Bridal Portrait Hashtags

The bridal portraits of the newlyweds are typically taken in between the wedding ceremony and the reception. These photos can often be your money shots and ones that you’ll want to showcase on your Instagram feed for potential clients to see your creative vision and photographic ability. Before choosing a photographer, clients will often scroll through various photographers to check the style and vibe of your wedding photography photoshoots.

#newlyweds #weddingday #brideandgroom #weddingphotography #weddinginspiration #weddingstyle #love #bride #groom #lovewins #blackandwhiteweddingphotography #couple #intimatewedding #lovers #weddingphotographer

7/10

Maid of Honor Portrait Hashtags

The maid of honor can sometimes be juggling a lot when it comes to the wedding day and as the best friend of the bride, they should be a big part of your wedding photography too. Grab photos of them in action helping the bride get ready for the big day. Candid shots are great in these moments, and also some posed shots with the two of them together.

#maidofhonor #moh #bridesmaid #bridesmaidstyle #bridalparty #bridesmaidoutfit #bridesmaiddresses #bride #bridetobe #weddingmakeup #bridetribe #weddinginpo #bestfriends #bridalshower #bridestory

8/10

Best Man Portrait Hashtags

It’s best to get some studded pictures of the best man and the groom – ones that show their friendship on full display. Center your hashtags around things to do with the groom, showcasing the suit that they are wearing, their style, and their vibe. You may want to involve props like cigars or poker playing or other things like country boots depending on the style of the groom and the wedding.

#groomsmen #bestman #groomsmenstyle #groomsmeninspo #groomthings #brideandgroom #weddingphotographer #weddingphotography #tuxedo #groomsmensuit #groomsuit #theboys #thegroom #groomsmeninspiration #groomfashion

9/10

Family Wedding Portrait Hashtags

Family dynamics at weddings can be a lot of things from hilarious to complicated, so as a wedding photographer it’s important to be aware of the dynamics as you capture pictures. By talking to the bride and groom beforehand you will be able to get the best idea of what they are looking for. It’s special to have some ideas about ways to include family members who can’t be there.

#family #weddingfamily #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddingday #newfamily #intimatewedding #love #inlaws #weddingseason #familyforever #familyalways #familyaboveall #familywedding

10/10

Wedding Ring Photo Hashtags

Pictures of the rings with other pieces of the wedding decor, like the invitations or the seating plan, or small signs from the wedding day make for excellent wedding photography pictures. If the backdrop of the wedding is stunning or if there are other parts from the wedding decor that are memorable, snag those pics and post them as inspiration on social media to other couples and photographers.

#weddingring #ring #engagementring #diamondring #weddingrings #rings #weddingband #shesaidyes #enegagementrings #rosegold #goldring #finejewlery #proposal #silver #ringsofinstagram

Capturing Unforgettable Moments: Your Comprehensive Wedding Photo Checklist

With so much going on throughout the day, it’s easy to forget what you really want included in your wedding album.

The solution? Get a shot list. (No, not that list of fancy drinks for the reception.)

Having a wedding shot list helps your wedding photographer capture every special moment and detail of your big day. A shot list keeps the photographer organized and stress-free while they capture all the essential images. It also gives you peace of mind–after all, your wedding photos will be treasured for years to come, and you’ll want to make sure the collection is complete, personal, and memorable.

Take the time to create a comprehensive list with your photographer to make sure your special day is perfectly captured!

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Wedding Photography Tips

If you want to make a living as a photographer, wedding photography is a great niche to work in that will always be in demand. Whether you’ve already shot some weddings or you’re just getting started, we’ve created this guide full of wedding photography tips to help your next gig go as smoothly as possible. The more knowledge about lighting, poses, and other tips you have in the back of your mind, the more you’ll be able to draw from in the moment to create the best possible images for your clients.

As is the case with all kinds of photography, the best teacher is practice. But before you start, it helps to have some knowledge under your belt to guide your exploration. That’s what you’ll find in these wedding photography tips: a ton of helpful information, along with answers to questions you’ve probably asked yourself about wedding photography.

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1/10

Romantic Couple Poses For Wedding Photography

  • Forehead kiss: A great way to create a romantic moment is to have one partner kiss the other’s forehead. Have the partners face each other, while the one being kissed tilts their face toward the camera and gazes down. It will feel natural and intimate and can help put your subjects in a relaxed mood for their photo session.
  • Walking together hand in hand: This classic wedding pose will never go out of style. Have your subjects hold hands as they walk away and you snap some shots. You can shoot in burst mode so that you have lots of images to choose from. It’s a great way to create a symbolic representation of the couple walking into the next stage of their lives together.
  • Back to back: There are lots of ways you can shoot this romantic pose. You can shoot from the side so they’re both in profile, or you can shoot facing one of the partners so the other is more in the background. Wherever you shoot from, experiment with having them gaze in different directions until you get the right shot.
2/10

Traditional Wedding Photography Poses

  • Forehead to forehead: Have your subjects face each other and touch foreheads together as they either gaze down or into each other’s eyes. This is a classic wedding photography pose that feels both elegant and romantic.
  • In the car: A traditional wedding photography poses that will always be in style is the classic shot of the newlyweds getting into the car that takes them away right after the ceremony. You can also shoot this as they arrive at the reception.
  • The V-Up: This is where you have the couple hip to hip slightly facing each other, with their arms propped up to form a V shape. The V doesn’t have to be dramatic like a hand propped on the hip, but the idea is to avoid having the couple’s hands dangling at their sides.
3/10

Wedding Photography Bridal Poses

  • Getting ready: This can be the bride putting the finishing touches on her makeup, putting on a necklace or earrings, or getting some help from her bridesmaids to do up her dress. The idea is to capture the special little moments before the big moment.
  • Holding the bouquet: A lot of thought typically goes into the choice of wedding flowers, and they can be very meaningful. A classic bridal pose is to have her holding the bouquet in front of her with her hands clasped at roughly belly button height, gazing down at the bouquet.
  • Looking out a window: There are lots of beautiful ways to capture this pose. A flattering one is to stand behind the bride, have her gaze out a window, and capture her face in profile from behind. If she’s wearing a veil, this can be a particularly dramatic shot.
4/10

Wedding Photography Groom Poses

  • Doing up the cufflinks: This is the groom’s version of the bridal “getting ready” shot, and it’s just as much of a staple when it comes to must-have wedding shots. There’s something special about capturing the quiet moments before the main event.
  • Hands in pockets, gazing to the side: This is a classic pose that will make any groom feel handsome. You can play around with where exactly he directs his gaze; everyone’s face is different, so the most flattering angle will depend on your subject.
  • Jacket slung over shoulder: This groom pose is more casual, so he can smile rather than look super serious for it. You can try taking it against a nice backdrop like a brick wall, or have your subject walk toward you as you shoot.
5/10

Same-Sex Wedding Photography Poses

  • Holding hands with some space in between: If the same-sex couple you’re shooting is wearing garments in similar colors and fabrics, such as two white dresses or two dark suits, poses with a little space between the subjects to prevent their outfits from blending into one.
  • Belly to back: This is a great shot for any couple, including same-sex couples. Have one partner in the foreground, and the other wrap their arms around them from behind. Let the couple guide which poses they each take in this shot.
  • Seated, leaning on each other: Seated shots are great because the subjects don’t have to think as much about how they’re posing their bodies. One partner can lean on the other, or they can lean toward one another.
6/10

Candid Wedding Photography Poses

  • Laughing: Everyone looks good with a natural smile, so getting your subjects laughing is always a good idea. Even having them “fake laugh” a few times will get them to start laughing in earnest at the silliness, making for some beautiful photos.
  • Guests arriving: Your clients will want to look back on images of their friends and family on their special day, so getting some shots of them arriving is a good way to get candids when they’re looking their best.
  • The bouquet toss: Part of why this tradition endures is because it’s an excellent photo op. Try to capture it from an angle that includes the bride as well as the guests.
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Wedding Photography Family Poses

  • Looking toward the couple: Have both lined up on either side of the couple, and get a shot where everyone is looking in toward the couple in the center, who are looking at each other. It’s a nice twist on the traditional family shot.
  • Framed by a kiss: A more playful family pose is to have the couple stand a couple of feet apart while leaning in for a kiss, with the family squeezing together in the background so they’re framed by the couple. Family members can make shocked faces if you want to go with the goofy angle.
  • Seated tiers: Don’t forget to include some classic poses, like having the family seated and arranged so that their faces appear on two or three levels. This way, you don’t have to shoot from as far away, as you would if they were lined up.
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Outdoor Wedding Photography Poses

  • On the shore: There’s something romantic about the water’s edge, whether it’s an ocean or a lake. Have your subjects walk along the shore, or capture them as they face each other with the water in the background.
  • Silhouetted: Silhouette photography can be particularly striking if you shoot during golden hour or as the sun is setting. If the wedding schedule allows it, take some shots of the couple holding hands as they stand at some distance for a distinct silhouette.
  • Against a tree: A tree is a great prop for posing. The couple can lean against it on opposite ends looking backward for a flirty image, or they can kiss while one partner leans against the tree for a more romantic, intimate shot.
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Beach Wedding Photography Poses

  • Walking barefoot: You’ll want to get this shot after the main ceremony since there’s a chance of the garments getting a little dirty, but no beach wedding is complete without some barefoot toes in the sand.
  • Foregrounded by a heart: Draw a big heart in the sand, and have the couple facing each other in the V-up pose. Pose them a few feet behind the heart, and shoot from a slightly lower angle so the heart is in the foreground and they’re in the background.
  • Seated in the sand: If the couple isn’t too fussy about the sand, have them sit down with one seated between the other’s legs. They should look casual and relaxed like they can sit back and enjoy their newlywed bliss after the festivities.
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Natural Light Tips

  • Window light: Even when shooting with nothing but natural light, you can get soft spotlight effects by shooting next to a window. Scope out the window situation and consider where the sun will be throughout your shooting window to catch the best light.
  • Golden hour: The hour before the sun begins to set is warm and universally flattering, so make sure to get some shots at this hour if possible.
  • Dappled forest light: If you’re shooting around trees, look for areas of dappled light to create an ethereal quality in your images.
  • Use reflectors: When shooting portraits outside, have an assistant bounce more light on your subjects with a reflector if necessary
  • Have an f/1.8 prime lens: A lens that can open up wide will let you capture better images in low light, so if you’re shooting in evening light or even at night, you can still get gorgeous images.

Wedding Photography FAQ’s

How to learn wedding photography?

Learning wedding photography can be accomplished in a number of different ways; doing online research (like you’re doing now), taking online courses, checking out other wedding photographers’ work, and assisting or second shooting with a wedding photographer. However you begin, gaining experience is key, so pick up that camera!

How much to charge for wedding photography?

How much to charge for wedding photography depends on various factors, one of which is your experience level. If you’re just starting out, be sure to charge on the low end of the scale to build more demand for your services, and goodwill among clients.

How to price wedding photography?

When considering how to price wedding photography, research average rates for wedding photography, gather a few quotes from local wedding photographers and account for your experience level and overall expertise in photography. Your pricing will also depend on the scope of the wedding, so be sure to gather all of the information you can to inform your pricing.

How to get into wedding photography?

There are a few ways to get into wedding photography. You can start with a formal education in photography, or you can learn through free online resources and landing job experience. If you already have experience in photography, you may already have a solid network to ask about assisting or second shooting a wedding; this is a great way to get going in the business.

How to start a wedding photography business?

Once you’ve got a few weddings under your belt, you might be wondering how to start a wedding photography business. Make sure you have a website and social media, either dedicate a significant portion of it to your wedding photography portfolio, or consider creating a new site solely for your wedding photography–consider including a pricing page on your website too. Another thing to try is networking with local wedding vendors, this is a great way to gain exposure to couples and planners searching for wedding services.

How to get wedding photography clients?

We’ve mentioned a few different ways of getting wedding clients, from creating a wedding photography website and adding your services to wedding vendor websites, to assisting on weddings and promoting your business to family and friends. Be sure to promote your services, and add a call to action (CTA) to your website and social media so interested users have a clear way of following up with you.

What lens to use for wedding photography?

When deciding what lens to use for wedding photography, the most important one is going to vary based on photographer preference. However, if deciding on one lens, go for a prime like a 35mm or 50mm, or the flexibility of a zoom lens.

What to include in the wedding photography package?

You’ll want to be as accurate as you can when creating wedding packages. If you can, create a few different pricing levels you’re comfortable with. You may want to consider adding engagement photos to your package to make it more competitive. It also gives you a chance to meet the couple and start creating a good relationship early.

What lenses to use for wedding photography?

Macro, prime, and zoom lenses are all good lenses to use for wedding photography. Being able to have a variety of shots at various focal lengths will lead to happier clients and a more diverse selection of images. It will help you also tell a more well-rounded story of the wedding day. Have two camera bodies on you for ease of use.

How to advertise for wedding photography?

You can advertise your wedding photography organically (to an e-mail list, updating your website, posting on your social media, telling family and friends) or through paid channels. This could involve paid posts on social media (Facebook’s ad network is always a great low-cost way of getting started in advertising), Google Ads to direct to your website, or see if wedding vendor sites have paid placements to get you more exposure.

How to book wedding photography clients?

There are many ways to book wedding photography clients. Getting the word out to your network, paid promotion on social media (Facebook’s ad network allows you great targeting options), updating your website with new work and improved search engine optimization (SEO), gaining referrals from past clients, posting your services to wedding directory sites, and even attending bridal shows.

How to charge for a destination wedding photography?

Shooting a destination wedding is great for your portfolio, but how do you charge for destination wedding photography? Charge your usual rate, plus the expenses of travel around the wedding: flights, accommodations, transportation, and a few meals. It may be easiest to research what those costs will be and build it all into a destination wedding package to share with the client.

How to book more wedding photography clients?

A few examples of how to book more wedding photography clients is to let people know you’re looking, promote your past work, expand existing work such as doing engagement, maternity, and other special moments, and assist another wedding photographer. Consider creating a Pinterest account and sharing your work there, as couples utilize the channel looking for inspiration.

What equipment do I need for wedding photography?

There is a fair bit of equipment needed for wedding photography so be sure to have a bag to keep your equipment organized. The equipment you’ll need to get started as a wedding photographer is at least two lenses (try renting or borrowing so you can find what combination of prime, zoom, macro, and telephoto works best for you), two cameras, flashes with diffusers, extra batteries for your equipment, several spare memory cards, and any props you’ve decided on with the couple beforehand to utilize. As your business grows, you may also add lighting stands, reflectors or softboxes, and a drone for unique sky-views of your client’s special day.

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