4 Tips for Natural "Formal" Wedding Photographs
If you're getting married soon, then you're likely either looking for the perfect photographer or you've already found one. If the former applies, then you might not find this blog post as useful, but it might give you some second thoughts if you're looking to have informal, formal wedding photos taken by a professional photographer.
Our wedding photographer was amazing, taking action shots and only a handful of staged ones for the album. We wanted photos that weren't posed for, predominantly, that is what we got. Seeing as we had to do quite a lot of research to make sure we were getting the photos we wanted on the day, here are some of my top tips for achieving natural "formal" wedding photos:
1. Choose the right photographer
The wedding photographer you choose has a massive part to play in how natural your wedding photos are. They each have their different styles, with some looking for natural photo opportunities where no one will know that a picture had ever been taken, right through to photographers who like to line everyone up for posed shots.
If posed photos aren't your thing, then might sure you're choosing the right photographer that will capture your style. Our wedding photographer was just that - natural. She looked for the right moments and took photos without anyone knowing.
Of course, she took some posed and staged photographs for formal reasons, but other than that, she just slipped into the day perfectly, almost as if she was one of our guests. Choosing the right photographer plays a huge part in the style of wedding photos you'll get back, so choose wisely.
2. Don't be tempted to pose
It can be tempting to strike a pose when someone is coming at you with a giant camera lens, but if you're wanting those perfect, natural and candid shots, then push down the urge to look at the camera, pose and smile.
Instead, let the photographer do their thing, especially if natural and candid is their thing. Take a look at their portfolio to see if that's the sort of style you're looking for, just so you can be sure of what to expect from your own wedding photographs and albums.
3. Send your photographer some of your inspiration
Just to make sure that your photographer knows the assignment, send them some of your inspiration. This way, they'll get a gauge on what you want and what you don't want. This is important so that you know what you're getting and so that the photographer knows what you expect from them. Whether it's on Pinterest or you like your best friends' wedding shots, send them over so they have an idea of what you're after.
4. Don't smile, just laugh
Smiling can get tiresome, especially when you've been having your picture all day. Your wedding photographer, especially if their style is candid and natural, will be looking for happy moments to capture, and that will usually involve snapping shots of people laughing, rather than smiling.
While smiling is great for staged photos, laughing makes the moment that much more authentic and "in the moment". Of course you'll be smiling, but if you don't know that the photo is being taken, then laughing does all of the work for you.
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I hope you enjoyed this blog post and that you've found it useful? Let me know in the comments how you get on with achieving natural wedding photos and I'll see you again very soon with some brand new content. Have a great wedding!
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