Helpful tips for bridal sessions | Anaheim California

As time gets closer to a wedding, brides begin really stressing over the details, and many opt to do bridals. In this post, I wanted to write some helpful tips for bridal sessions!

1) Think about who you bring along with you. They can be the ones to make or break your session, as tough as it is to think about. I’ve seen brides bring along someone that’s ready to rock and roll, that cheers them on and cheers them up, and that encourages them. I’ve also seen brides bring along someone that is concerned about every tiny detail, or someone that offers critiques or suggestions to the bride. This being said, as a photographer, I can see that confidence either shine through a photo or diminish before my eyes based on who they bring. You need someone there to support you, help you do anything asked, and someone that can help you relax!

2) Be OPEN minded! Things that photographers sometimes ask their clients to do, where to stand…. it can seem plain crazy! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “I feel so stupid doing this!”, but when they see the final product, they realize different angles and different poses aren’t always as crazy as they seem 😉

3) Don’t worry about the dress! This might be one of the biggest tips I could say from experience. So many great photo opps have been missed from those too worried about the possibility of their dress getting dirt on it. Dresses ARE delicate, and I know you want them to be pristine on that day, but they can also be very easy to clean if any spots get on it, AND some dress shops even offer a certain amount of free cleanings. This shot below? I had her lying in the wet grass on top of my camera bag and scarf. Not even kidding. I had her spinning, walking across a field, sitting, everything. Know how many spots got on the dress? None. When Jasmine Star critiqued my work, she pulled the photos of brides that weren’t open to doing any movement, and movement is what captures a photo more than just standing stiff, plus you get into the moment by creating the moment!

4) Stay hydrated, and get plenty of sleep the night before!! When I say you will work it, you WILL work it. It’s easy to get dehydrated while being in a heavy dress outside, especially when it’s warmer out, and you need to feel your best to look your best.

5) Lastly, have a backup plan! When planning a bridal session, you often plan for hair/makeup/mini bouquet. Nobody is a fortune teller, so you never know when a storm may blow in. Although it may cost to have a backup indoor location, at least you have it and it’s one less worry to cross your mind! 

I hope this tough love can help those brides out there doing bridal sessions. Just open your mind, relax, have faith in who you’ve hired, and rock it out!

{ Charlotte Wedding Photographer + Charleston Wedding Photographer + Greensboro Wedding Photographer + Same Sex Wedding Photographer +Winston Salem Wedding Photographer + Raleigh Wedding Photographer + LGBT Wedding Photographer + Alexandria Wedding Photographer + DC Wedding Photographer + Asheville Wedding Photographer + Rock Hill Wedding Photographer Casey Hendrickson Photography }