Bridal Portrait Questions

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Tomorrow I take my first set of bridal portraits. As the hour is approaching, I am suddenly thinking of a number of things that might come up -- challenging things. Any tips or advice would be great!

First a few specifics:

Locations: Japanese Garden, Meacom Fountains, Rice University (the trees), two downtown spots (don't know how to describe them...one of them is in the warehouse district).

Time of Day: 3:30 to 7ish. (84F as the high, partly/mostly cloudy)

Bride: Creative, intelligent, open to ideas...good disposition. Hair appointment and air brush make-up earlier in the day.

Okay, my primary concerns:

1) The temperature. We'll be outside for a number of hours. Any tips on dealing with the heat? "Glow?"

2) The dress. I plan on bringing a painter's tarp for the underside of her dress, but I imagine this is a tricky proposition. Any horror stories? Advice?

3) The number of hours. This is okay by me and the bride...in theory. Will it be different in practice? I know the dress is heavy. The day is long (with all pre-portrait stuff). How do we avoid having the "worn out" look as the day progresses. Some of our main shots will be closer to 7 PM.

4) The number of shots to present to the bride. I think I am someone who tends to do too much after the shoot. (For example, prior to reading input on the TPF board, I was providing TFCD models about 60 processed images. I have since learned that 15-20 would be sufficient. Yikes!) I really like this couple and want to give them "above and beyond," but I don't want to go completely overboard. Just a ballpark would help.

Anyway, just pre-shoot nerves. I figure you only have your first bridal shoot once, right? Thanks for the help!!! :o)

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All right, all right...it was probably too many questions (she says jokingly and slightly guilt-ridden as she tries to bring the thread back up to the top...silly girl). So answer me this instead...

If Roger Clemens was a bride and you were photographing him next to the big rocket at NASA...would you use a fog machine? Smoke and mirrors...right? right? anyone? :D

[ErikaB4]

1) The temperature. We'll be outside for a number of hours. Any tips on dealing with the heat? "Glow?" Make sure the bride, your assistant and YOU bring lots of water. Also advise the bride to bring a small wash cloth to blot off any sweat/shine and too also bring her make up bag for touch ups.

2) The dress. I plan on bringing a painter's tarp for the underside of her dress, but I imagine this is a tricky proposition. Any horror stories? Advice? A painters tarp, white sheet...what ever works! This is always an invaluable piece of 'equipment' to bring for the brides.

3) The number of hours. This is okay by me and the bride...in theory. Will it be different in practice? I know the dress is heavy. The day is long (with all pre-portrait stuff). How do we avoid having the "worn out" look as the day progresses. Some of our main shots will be closer to 7 PM. Each photographer works differently and each bride also reacts differently. Some brides can fit into the modeling role right away while others noticeably take time to relax in front of the camera. Also, your location can have a impact on your time. Super popular places may take more time for you to work in due to either walking distances from spot to spot...or even just having to wait your turn from the other brides on location. For me personaly I try to keep my sessions under two hours. Anything longer than that and the brides start to loose their interest and composition.

4) The number of shots to present to the bride. I think I am someone who tends to do too much after the shoot. (For example, prior to reading input on the TPF board, I was providing TFCD models about 60 processed images. I have since learned that 15-20 would be sufficient. Yikes!) I really like this couple and want to give them "above and beyond," but I don't want to go completely overboard. Just a ballpark would help. There are lots of different oppinions on this topic. Some photographers like to strickly limit the choices down while others just can't bear to not show every single frame. Just keep in mind that many folks have a hard time makng descicions, so if you show them 100+ shots, be prepared for a long drawn out waiting period before they actualy PICK a shot! Again, for me personaly, I try to only show the best of the best. In the back of my head I ask my self "It's a good shot yes, but will it still look as good blown up?"

Hope this helps. E.

[bondarnes]

1. Temperature: bring a cooler with bottled water, have a plan and work quickly while you are outside then try to spend an equal amount of time under air conditioning. That will also help keep the bride "fresh"

2. Dress: I assume that you are talking about a clear plastic drop cloth which can be mostly tucked under the dress. In addition I always tell the bride that while I will take every precaution with her dress, since we are out in the elements I can't be responsible for what might happen to it. The worst that has happened to me was a bird making a deposit on a dress.

3. Number of hours: Why would you do this? I have never scheduled a bridal session longer than two hours. and never more than two locations. I always plan to do the best location when the light is optimum for that location and schedule the other location around that. I feel your plan is too ambitious and borders on "spray and pray" Do you feel that if you use multiple locations she will have to like one of them?

4. Only show the images that you are ready to print as a large wall portrait. ANY IMAGE that needs an explanation or is "I like this one, BUT.................. should never be shown.

Since you asked twice I assume you really wanted the hard answers also.

Who is Roger Clemens??

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Erika, thank you for answering all the questions! Small wash cloth wasn't on my list. It's a great add. Also, I think you have a good point regarding the number of photos shown...too many might make it difficult for them to choose. :)

Don, thank you as well!! Like Erika, you go by the only-those-that-can-work-well-as-a-large-wall-portrait school of thinking. You know, I like that! I'm not sure how much it will narrow my field, but maybe I'll just focus on the ones that I'd be thrilled to see displayed as my work. No "iffy's," only "heck yeahs!"

There are two primary reasons for the longer shoot today. One reason is that we want to shoot at multiple locations in town...she, because she's adventurous...me, because she's adventurous AND because I want portfolio shots. We had a 3.5 hour engagement shoot and enjoyed ourselves (with groom in tow) the entire time. And the photos from that session...we're both very pleased with them. I was primarily worried because of the heat of day as well as the heavy dress. I didn't know how exhausting that would be.

Another reason for the longer day...and maybe you have some advice about this based on your experience...my bride was only able to get her hair and make-up done at a certain time...she'll be ready at 3 PM. While there are tree lined areas which will be fine at 3 PM, I'd like to do most of the shots after 5:30. We didn't want to waste the few hours, though...since her hair and makeup will be ready. Does that make sense? I'm sure I'll learn a lot as I make my way through a few sessions. Just a bridal beginner afterall. And being such...I truly appreciated your advice. :)

I like that..."Roger who?" :D

[Erin Kathleen]

Honestly, Katya - I'm with Erika and Don on the time frame. Can you stop for drinks in the middle or something? Sometimes a nice margarita in an air conditioned area will help the bride refresh and relax. That also seems like a lot of locations to me. I usually recommend one or maybe two if they're small and we're pushing it.


1) The temperature. We'll be outside for a number of hours. Any tips on dealing with the heat? "Glow?" There are papers you can get at the drug store for blotting. Tell the bride to get some or bring some yourself and be the hero.

2) The dress. I plan on bringing a painter's tarp for the underside of her dress, but I imagine this is a tricky proposition. Any horror stories? Advice? Definitely bring something for under the dress. You can recommend Shout wipes (test on the inside first!!!) for any minor bits of dirt, but I've found that no matter how much we try, something always gets on the dress. It's best to have them just plan on getting it cleaned again after the bridals if they can.

3) The number of hours. This is okay by me and the bride...in theory. Will it be different in practice? I know the dress is heavy. The day is long (with all pre-portrait stuff). How do we avoid having the "worn out" look as the day progresses. Some of our main shots will be closer to 7 PM. See Above, but if you can, I would push it back until at least 5:30 or 6:00ish. I do know photogs who can keep the energy up and keep going for hours (literally), but most of my clients - brides or engagements - are dead within an hour and a half to two hours. With a break, you can push that a bit but four hours seems like a bit much. Again, this is me. I do know photogs who go close to 6 and are still going strong. I've yet to understand their secrets.

4) The number of shots to present to the bride. I think I am someone who tends to do too much after the shoot. (For example, prior to reading input on the TPF board, I was providing TFCD models about 60 processed images. I have since learned that 15-20 would be sufficient. Yikes!) I really like this couple and want to give them "above and beyond," but I don't want to go completely overboard. Just a ballpark would help. I used to give them anything and everything that just totally didn't suck. But that meant processinging anything and everything that didn't suck - often hundreds of images. Now I tell them I'll give them approximately 50-75 images for a bridals and 25-50 for engagements. Often it's over that, but it's never over 100. If I have that many, I go back and cut through them again. I do about three passes through the RAW before I even touch the images just cutting it down to just the ones I think will really wow the client and only really processing those.

I also recommend bringing at least twice as much as you think you'll need of anything and anything the bride needs. I always come equiped with bobby pins, safty pins, shout wipes, bug spray, sun screen, the white sheet, white trash bags (for under the white sheet if the groung is wet), water and sometimes snacks. I usually remind them to bring all that too, but if they forget or don't have it, I try to make sure I have it. I also usually suggest that if they'd like (and it's legal where you're shooting) they bring a small bottle of wine or something like that. I'm not saying they should get totally drunk or anything, but a small drink to loosen up and relax and treat it more like a fun outing than a photo shoot can go a long way...

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Thanks, Erin Kathleen! I didn't get this comment prior to leaving for the shoot, but, regardless, it's great information to take into the next session. Also, it really helps to know what people are offering, so your providing me your usual number of images provided really helps.

The shoot went really well for a first time session (and hopefully well enough so that the bride's family and friends would never know it was a first time session!). I'm uploading the photos now, and will try to post some later this afternoon.

Thanks again to everybody! Your input is greatly appreciated. :)

[Tawny]

I looked at your blog and think that you will do just great! What takes the longest with bridals is the DRESS! It kills time with putting down the tarp/sheet/blah...blah...blah... Then spreading the dress... yikes! Just always keep the DRESS in your mind.

Don't step on the dress, because they freak.
Don't fall on the dress, or trip over it... for the same reason above. LOL

Seriously, just always be aware of the DRESS. That is the most important advice I can give.

[AndrewCCM]

I am with Erin on this one.. We just advise right off the bat that they are going to need to have it cleaned. Rarely do we use a tarp or anything while we're shooting. Tons of bridals later and no real problems other than the fun after the shoot rainbow ice cream spill. I had to pull the camera out of the car and quickly snap a pic to document. LOL!

Hehe! Shooting her wedding on the 18th. We got most of it out with bottled water and a towel.

[Tawny]

I'm not saying they should get totally drunk or anything, but a small drink to loosen up and relax and treat it more like a fun outing than a photo shoot can go a long way...
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I completely agree with this! A buzzed bride is a great bride to work with!

[AndrewCCM]

Depends on the bride. I know many women (and men for that matter) that become obnoxious when buzzed. Just be sure and whiten those bloodshot eyes. LOL

To be honest, I think a buzzed photographer is more the ticket.

[Tawny]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

Depends on the bride. I know many women (and men for that matter) that become obnoxious when buzzed. Just be sure and whiten those bloodshot eyes. LOL

To be honest, I think a buzzed photographer is more the ticket.

NO DOUBT Andrew!!! No Doubt!