How to look fantastic in your wedding and engagement photos

When it comes to your engagement and wedding photos, you will want to look the best you can. You’ll cherish the photographic memorabilia for a lifetime, so it’s essential to put your best foot forward. As a professional Atlanta wedding photographer, I’ve had the opportunity to capture countless couples on their special day. Here are my top tips for how to look good in your wedding photos:

Choose a flattering outfit:

When it comes to looking your best in engagement photos, choose something that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Avoid clothing or accessories with busy patterns or distracting prints. Long, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. Especially photographed with nature.  Cute, shorter-length dresses photograph beautifully as well. Dresses and skirts tend to look most stunning on camera because they really flatter the female body — which is probably why the red carpet is always full of so many dresses and not very many pantsuits! I recommend avoiding pants and shorts for your session, and saying yes to a dress or two.

Get your hair and makeup done professionally:

Professional hair and makeup is on the top of most of my clients’ checklists because it looks amazing on camera and removes the stress of getting ready on your own.  This is the time to treat yourself! Whether it’s lash extensions or blown-out hair, professional hair and makeup will give you an extra boost of confidence in front of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream. If you’re working with a makeup artist, have her apply your makeup in natural light, if possible, so that it looks fresh and not too heavy. Plus, that’s the type of light I’ll be shooting in, so it’ll give you the best expectation of how it will translate on camera. Most of my clients feel like their professional makeup is “too much” at first, since it’s more than you would wear on a normal day, or that they’re false lashes look too big, so if you feel that way at the beginning, don’t worry! Good makeup artists know how to get it all just right for the camera — and my clients always love the final result.

Quick Tip: Confidence. It’s always the best accessory.

Good posture:

Practicing good posture is an important tip for how to look good in couple’s photos. Keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed. This will make you appear more confident and help slim down your figure. It’s completely normal to tense your shoulders when you are a little nervous, but if you keep that in mind, you’ll realize when you may be doing it.

Relax and have fun:

The best photos are the ones where the couple looks natural and happy. Don’t be too posed or stiff; let your personality shine through. Remember, this is a celebration of your love, so embrace the moment and have fun!

Take a few test shots:

Before the big day, have a friend take some test shots of you and your partner. This will give you an idea of what you’ll look like in the photos and allow you to make any necessary adjustments. Practice smiling and posing in front of the camera so that you feel more comfortable on the day of the shoot.

Find a good photographer:

A talented photographer knows how to guide you into flattering poses and will be able to capture your best angles. Do your research and look at their portfolio before booking them. You want to choose a professional with a style you love and who has experience shooting weddings and engagement sessions.

Choose the right location:

Location is key. A beautiful, well-lit backdrop can make all the difference in your photos. Look for a spot that has meaning to you as a couple or displays a quality visual appeal. When choosing your location, consider the time of day which will usually be 2 hours before sunset for best light.

A set of candid couple photos are a beautiful way to capture the love and joy of your relationship. If you follow these tips on how to look good in wedding photos and work with a skilled Atlanta engagement photographer, your photos will look fantastic and serve as beautiful reminders of this time in your life for years to come. To read more about photography or book an appointment with me, get in touch!