Formal wedding portrait

The primary goal is one "signature" picture.

The term “wedding formals” is often taken to comprise any posed pictures of the bride and groom, with or without the bridal party or family members. Using this loose but popular definition, formals are differentiated from other wedding pictures only because the subjects happen to be posed.

True wedding formals, however, do not usually include every posed picture. They are typically based on the classic studio portrait, are of the bride and groom only, and involve more than just a pose. A formal wedding portrait is elegant, dignified and carefully-staged so that all of its elements (lighting, props, background, pose and expressions) contribute to the composition.

We tend to envisage a studio setting when we think of a formal portrait of a bride and groom, but wedding formals may also be taken outdoors in a natural or man-made setting, in the family home or the interior of another building, including the place where the ceremony is conducted. The main advantage of the studio is that it provides the photographer with total control, but many bridal couples today shun its artificiality, preferring instead to be surrounded by Mother Nature or another more-familiar or dramatic setting.

THE PHOTOGRAPHER MUST CAPTURE ONE “SIGNATURE” PICTURE

The photographer’s primary objective is to produce one extremely-good formal portrait of the bride and groom - a picture that stands out above all others taken of the wedding, and that is destined to be enlarged, framed and placed on display for years to come. This is an important picture, and must clearly show the bride’s and the groom’s features and attire, with particular attention paid to the bride. They must look relaxed, happy and content with each other.

In order to achieve this, a good photographer will produce several other top-quality images in a variety of poses and in different settings, thus giving the bridal couple a selection of good images from which to choose their wedding’s “signature” portrait. If the bride and groom are pleased with your images, and have a hard time choosing from among the portrait selections, you as photographer have done your job well.

THE BRIDE ALONE

The photographer’s secondary objective of importance is to produce at least one marvelous-looking portrait of the bride alone. A wedding is very much a day of prime significance for the bride, and her individual portrait must show her in all her splendor at this important moment in her life.

ELEMENTS OF A GOOD FORMAL WEDDING PORTRAIT

(1) The bride and groom must look like themselves. This is not top-of-the-list by accident. If they feel you haven’t captured them as individuals, they will be less than happy with their pictures.

(2) The wedding couple must look their best. They didn’t go to all that trouble in personal preparation to look great for you to photograph them looking any other way. Watch for details - a loose thread, a fallen tress, an upturned collar, make-up that needs a touch-up - and correct everything before tripping the shutter release. The couple must be relaxed. This is not the time for stiffness. Generally, couples who are just married are relieved of stress and pose comfortably and naturally when the pressure of being the stars of the ceremony is off, but you may still need to use your skills in relaxing some brides or grooms whose emotions have them riding an adrenalin-induced high, or who just may be uncomfortable before the camera under any circumstances.

(3) Your formal portrait of the bridal couple must tell a story - and that story is a love story. The image must reveal their feelings for each other. They must look like two people who are happy together, committed to and trusting of one another, and completely comfortable and at home with each other. In short, the image should look like they belong together, and have made the naturally-correct decision to be married.

(4) The picture should comply with the general rules of good composition, lighting and posing for portraiture. This is not the time to experiment. (See our sections on Posing and Composition for more information on these topics.) The bride is usually given foremost attention, and her gown will generally dominate the composition in terms of space occupied in the image. The bride’s floral bouquet must be attractively-situated, and balanced. All elements, however, must lead the viewer’s eye to their faces, and ultimately to the eyes of the bride and groom, which don’t have to be looking into the lens, but which generally must be seen. Hands must look naturally-placed, and the overall impression should be one of simplicity - with no distracting elements - and elegance. Posing the subjects to reflect their intimacy and “one-ness” provides the crowning touch, signifying their joining together. This can often be achieved by allowing them to act naturally, without too much direction, and watching for the moment. You will find that newlyweds almost automatically pose in ways that show their affection for each other, and may need only the slightest prodding from you.

(5) You, as the photographer, should be personally proud of the picture, and prepared to make a place for it in your portfolio of wedding photographs. If, for any reason, you think the bride and groom will be happy with the image you are about to take, but it will not take pride of place among your own wedding picture portfolio, stop! You are about to create something mediocre, and that is not good enough. Your motto as a wedding photographer should be Satus not satus, Latin for “Good enough is not good enough.” If the image does not turn you on and make you personally excited, then it is not the best you can do, so stop the show. Put everything on hold for five minutes, then analyze all the components of the composition. Change whatever needs changing to get an excellent photograph. And, always keep in mind how important the maximization of your skills and techniques are to your clients who are there before you. The image you are about to make will be among the most important keepsakes they will have for the duration of their lives. You owe it to them to fulfill their wishes, and make a great wedding portrait that both you and they will be proud to display.