Tips on How to Look Your Best in Wedding Photos

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Every bride is beautiful. She just can’t help but be. That’s what love will do to a woman.

Nonetheless, you want your wedding photos to show you at your absolute best. A good professional photographer will make sure your poses are flattering and the lighting is just right. But nowadays when nearly all wedding guests have their own cameras and they are constantly taking photos of the bride and groom, we wanted to offer a few tips on what you can do to assure all your photos come out great. So this week, we spoke with Ani Keshishian from the L.A. Banquets team to get some great advice about lighting, camera angles and posing to help you look your best in your wedding photos.

How to Look Your Best


Lighting is important.

Even amateur photographers know that the light source should be behind them rather than behind you, though most indoor candids will be taken in artificial light from above. Just make sure you’re not standing directly beneath a chandelier or ceiling spot because they will cast shadows. If you’re outside, avoid having to look directly into the sun. The best photos are taken in light shade, or with the sun slightly above or to the side, and the absolute best are photos taken at the “golden” (sometimes called “magic”) hour just before sunset when the light is warmer and softer. There’s a golden hour just after sunrise, too, though you’ll probably still be in bed.

Camera angles make a difference.

The camera should be at your eye level or just above it. If someone is shooting up at you, it’s going to distort the image, give you a double chin, and possibly add a few pounds. Also, contrary to what you might think, it’s not going to make you look taller. If a seated guest wants to snap your picture, bend at the knees and meet her face to face (but not too close, or you’ll have a pumpkin head). As for selfies your guests want to take with you, ask them to hold the phone as if you’re looking at someone who’s six inches taller than you are. And no flashes, please.

You can pose without looking posed.

You want to avoid the celebutante “I’m posing for a picture” look at all costs, but standing squarely in front of the camera isn’t going to do you any favors, either.

  • Angle your face and body slightly instead of facing the camera head on. If you have a good side, favor it but don’t take every picture the same way, or the results will be boring and look too studied. The standard three-quarter model pose is a classic because it’s the most slimming, but it can also look phony. Before the big day you might want to practice in a full-length mirror until the stance feels natural. Standing up straight is important but we’re not taking a school posture picture here; take a breath and let your shoulders drop just a bit.

  • Put your best foot forward. Place one foot slightly in front of the other and put your weight on the back foot. Alternatively, and if your feet are going to show, cross them at the ankles. As far as the camera is concerned, you’ve just lost five pounds from your hips.

  • Keep your arms soft. Your bouquet is a great prop, but except for a formal portrait, try holding it down casually to one side because asymmetry is usually more interesting than having everything perfectly matched. Making sure there’s a little space between your arms and your body will highlight your waist; you won’t be adding the width of your arms to your midsection. As for the hand-on-hip pose that the starlets use, most of them do it wrong anyway. You don’t want your elbow sticking out like a semaphore. If you do put your hand on your hip, angle your elbow back and away from your body.

  • Mind your hands. Holding your bouquet or a champagne glass will ensure that your hand looks natural. As for the empty hand, curve it gracefully and hold it beside you with your thumb facing forward, your elbow slightly bent.

  • Don’t lean your face away from the camera. If anything, lean toward it slightly. Whatever is closest to the lens looks larger; leaning toward it will create the illusion of a smaller body.

  • Don’t look straight into the lens. Focus your eyes just above it or past it over the photographer’s shoulder.

  • Smile naturally. Models swear by the trick of pressing their tongues to the roof of their mouths before they smile. It works to keep your smile from looking frozen and elongates your neck.

  • Eyes wide shut. Close your eyes for a moment until the photographer says, “Now!” Then, open them.

  • Center yourself in group shots. As the bride, you’re always going to be in the center, so no worries there. (In general, the least flattering positions are at the ends of groups.)  If you’re not holding your bouquet, put your arms lightly around the waists of the people next to you. Unless your intention is to look like a chorus line, it’s more interesting if everyone is in a slightly different position.

Having said all that, the best way to ensure beautiful wedding pictures is to be yourself. Relax. Smile naturally. Laugh. It’s one of the happiest days of your life, so let it show!

Special thanks to Ani Keshishian from L.A. Banquets for all of the helpful tips! Contact L.A. Banquets to discover all of the other ways they can help you make the most of your wedding day or other special event. And here are just a few of our favorite wedding photos from our talented Harsanik vendors!

 
 
 

 

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