The first look important part of wedding day

The first look is a part of the wedding day that is pretty common. The first look is when the bride and groom share a moment prior to the ceremony where they see each other dressed and ready for the wedding.

This article on first looks is part of a series on the various categories of wedding photography.

This is a moment to be captured through photographs and video. Many times the groom will have a look on his face when he sees his bride for the first time that needs to be captured.

This session is not long but needs to photographed. The bride and groom will want to see these moments again and again. The photographer needs to be prepared, determining the best angle from which to capture this moment. It is a very special moment. Sometimes emotional.

The first look is not always a part of the big day. Many brides and grooms still want to follow tradition. That tradition states that the groom will see his bride for the first time when she walks down the aisle.
Here is generally how a first look proceeds: the groom stands in a predetermined location with his back to the bride. The bride then walks up from behind and taps him on the shoulder. He turns around and they see each other in private (aside from the photographer and videographer). It is a very special moment.

It is the task of the photographer to photograph the look and emotion on the bride’s and groom’s faces. It may require moving around the couple to get these looks. It can be challenging, particularly if a videographer is present. The photographer should not get in the way of the photographer, and the videographer should not get in the way of the photographer. It can be difficult to get the perfect shots.

The nice thing about the first look is that it gives the photographer more time and less pressure for the next stage of the photography – the family formals. Tradition is nice, but sometimes the practicality of the first look takes precedence over tradition.

Other articles in this series are on pre-wedding prep, the ceremony, the reception and the in-between time.