Bridal portrait session

I admit that I have not done a bridal portrait session before the wedding. Brides in my area just don’t do them.

Heck, they may not even know what a bridal session is. This article is meant to address this.

I attended a photography workshop a couple of years ago. The leader said that photoshoots with the bride alone before the wedding are very common in the south. They are not common in Nebraska, where I live and shoot my wedding photographs.

But why can’t we start a trend here? How about a pre-wedding photoshoot with the bride. I think they are a great idea. Here are a few reasons why to consider a bridal portrait session:

The bride needs perfect photos

In my view, portraits of the bride are among the most important photos to take. What bride would not want a gorgeous portrait of herself? I bet none. I always take bridal portraits the day of the wedding, but there isn’t a lot of time for them. I might get 10 minutes to take these photos if I’m lucky.

A pre-wedding portrait shoot with the bride will provide plenty of time for the bride to get more beautiful shots. The photos don’t have to be taken at the site of the wedding or at a nearby park. More venues are available for these bridal sessions. Imagine photos of the bride walking through a beautiful field as the sun sets. Photos such as these can be achieved when a bridal portrait session is planned.

Portrait session can be a dress rehearsal for the day

A pre-wedding bridal session gives the bride a chance to see what she will look like on the wedding day. She can wear her dress and get her hair and makeup done to see if she likes the way she looks. If not, she knows to make changes on the all-important day.

Feeling fresh

A bride might feel rushed and harried on her wedding day. Having a photo session before the wedding will allow her to be relaxed and without stress. This could result in better photos.

This article is part of a series on pre-wedding portrait sessions. See articles on engagement photos and day-after photo sessions.