Part 2  of  THE BEAUTY OF CAPTURING MOMENTS RATHER THEN RECREATING THEM – THE FIRST LOOK.

Part 1 can be found here: GETTING READY PHOTOS: THE BEAUTY OF CAPTURING MOMENTS RATHER THEN RECREATING THEM

Part 3 can be found here: THE CEREMONY: THE BEAUTY OF CAPTURING MOMENTS RATHER THEN RECREATING THEM 

Part 4 can be found here: ROMANTIC PHOTOS: THE BEAUTY OF CAPTURING MOMENTS RATHER THEN RECREATING THEM 

t’s that moment… time is standing still, the sound of each breath you take seems to be amplified and you can hear your heart beating throughout your entire body. Each step you take seems to be an eternity, butterflies are fluttering in your stomach and the only person you are searching to see is your true love. Awaiting the moment when both your eyes connect and forever begins.

By far one of the most anticipated moments for a bride and groom on their wedding day is when they see each other for the first time. Whether this takes place during the first look or the moment the bride walks down the isle, the look on their faces is priceless. We find it pivotal to capture this moment as it unfolds on the wedding day. Trying to reenact that very true and pure emotion is virtually impossible.

5 Tips to capture the “first look” before the wedding as it unfolds
1. Have two shooters in place. I am very blessed to always have the same second shooter, my husband Brandon, and over the years we have mastered the “dance” of shooting a wedding together. One of the key components for us is – I always shoot the bride and – he always shoots the groom. This stays constant throughout the day. So, if we are setting up for the “first look” before the wedding Brandon will take the groom to the first look location and get him in place. I will then bring the bride to this location and have her stand where the groom can’t see her yet.  When they do see each other for the first time, Brandon captures the grooms expression and I capture the brides emotion.
2. Talk to your bride and groom. Remember this is one of the most anticipated moments for them, they are ecstatic and nervous all at the same time. They have never done this before. It is our job as photographers to walk them through what is about to happen so they feel comfortable and relaxed.
3. Give them freedom. This is so important to Brandon and I, we want the moment to be genuine not awkward or forced. While I am talking our bride and groom through what is about to happen I let them know that there is in no way they can mess this up. They are free to be as emotional as they want, free to embrace how ever they want, free to say what ever they want and free to move how ever they want. I let them know that Brandon and I will capture the moment simply as it unfolds and how truly beautiful that is.
4. Move Move Move, shake some tail feathers.  During the entire first look we stay on the move. As our couples move, spin to show off the dress, embrace and look into each others eyes, we are moving ourselves into place to capture it.
5. Give them affirmations. As our couples come together I may not actually say any words but I still communicate. Brandon always laughs because he will here me squeal, gasp, awe and si during the first look. Every now and then you will here me say “Oh my goodness this is so perfect, or so romantic or I am tearing up. My body language will say this too. All of these things are very subtle. However, our couples pick up on our true excitement for them and it encourages them to be comfortable and relaxed.

5 Tips to capture the first look as the bride walks down the isle
1. Communicate with the wedding planner. Wedding planners are always our biggest help on a wedding day, I LOVE them! The wedding planner will always know exactly how and where the bride we prepare for her walk down the isle. Well before the ceremony starts we have her walk us through how things will unfold.
2. Check your lighting and camera settings before the ceremony starts. In most cases lighting from the starting point of the isle to the front of isle is different. Know in advance the different camera settings you will need for optimal light and be prepared to make that change quickly and effortlessly.
3. Have two shooters in place. Here again having two shooters is key for us. Brandon positions himself at the front of the isle where he has a clean shot of the groom and I am at the back with the bride and her father. I capture the moment the bride sees her groom and Brandon captures the moment the groom sees his bride.
4. Switch subjects. Once the bride and her father have walked passed me I turn around to capture the grooms emotions as he is given is brides hand in marriage by her father. Brandon too switches subjects and captures the brides face, moments before she is given to her groom.
5. Keep the camera to your eye. You never know what can happen as the bride and groom see each other for the first time, it can be water works, huge smiles or a groom bashfully looking down with the thought of I can’t believe she chose me. Whatever the reaction you must be ready, so during this time the camera never comes away from our eye. Not until they turn to face the officiant.