3 Top Tips for Photographing Bridal Brands

Education

Nov 1

HOW TO GUIDE TO SHOOTING A WEDDING EDITORIAL

You’re here because you want to give your portfolio an editorial feel, you want to work with your fave wedding fashion and bridal brands, to elevate your style, to show people what you can do!

This blog will walk you through my tried and tested approach on how to actually photograph for wedding brands in an editorial style. I will touch on the kind of photos your suppliers and brands actually want, and how to help create the best photographs.

HOW TO BUILD YOUR SHOOT

If you are looking for hands on advice on how to find suppliers, how to ask them to be part of your shoot, click here have a good read, and then come back to this post.

So, you’ve got your concept, your suppliers, your location, here is how to make the most of what you have in front of you to slay that shoot!

WHAT’S THE VIBE?

Before you even put your camera in your hand, refer back to your goals for your shoot. Pull up your Pinterest board/mood-boards, remind yourself of the kind of images your brand want to create. Having a strong visualisation for your shoot is imperative to keep you on track. That doesn’t mean you can’t be creative and play around, but if especially if your brand is paying you to execute a look-book for example, pay attention to what they require first.

When working with a brand, I also like to have in mind who their ideal customer is. who are they actually selling to? Having that person in my mind can influence the energy and creativity to bring to a shoot.

Think about the brand values. Are they joyful? Romantic? Whimsical? Sultry? Luxury? Sustainable? How can you add elements within the shoot, and poses for your model to emphasise those?

2. WHERE’S THE DETAIL?

Alongside your wide shots showing the scene or dress in full, don’t forget to showcase the little details. This incredible dress by Wilden London had a structural aesthetic at the hips, giving a wide A-line skirt. There was a delicate detail of the over-sized bows on the hips, accentuating the silhouette, and enhancing the brand’s romantic style.

Take a step back, move yourself around the scene and your model to find those details, for example, like the softness of the feathers against the backdrop, the elegant florals in her hair.

3. WHAT KIT SHOULD YOU USE?

There is never a ‘one size fits all answer to this. Really consider the type of shots you want to create, do you want lots of lovely soft bokeh? Do you want lots of intricate detail and sharpness? What light and shadow do you want to create?

Here’s the breakdown of my kit bag. I like to pack light, and this is true even for weddings, and find this holy trinity of lenses works best for me in all occasions:
Lenses

35mm - for wide shots (Sigma Art 1.4)
50mm - for medium shots (Sigma Art 1.4)
85mm - for close-up details and beauty shots (Sony 1.8)

I will often switch these up though, a 50mm usually gives me some of my favourite detail shots and portraits of the shoot. A lower f stop is key for my style, more light, more bokeh, more softness.

Cameras
Sony A7iii
Sony A7iv
Polaroid

Why a Polaroid? Because it’s fun! It brings a playful, vintage feel and a sweet little extra.

Flash
Godox V680
Godox V1

I prefer natural light where possible, but I do use flash intentionally. For example, if I need to fill shadows, or am looking for that real pop of paparazzi editorial flash.