5 Reasons You Should Definitely Have ‘Getting Ready Photos’ On Your Wedding Day!

Having your photographer with you on your wedding morning can make for a much more relaxed wedding day - here’s why…

A black and white image of a bride getting ready on the morning of her wedding. She is photographed from behind while applying her makeup, her eyes are visible in two mirrors, while on her left a laptop plays a beauty tutorial she is following. — I often chat with couples who aren’t sure whether they want photography coverage on their wedding morning, but I think getting ready photos are the best use of your time for reasons you may not have considered. Here are five reasons why having your wedding photographer with you for the last hour or so of prep could give you the best possible start to your wedding day!

1. This the perfect time to gently ease yourself into the swing of being photographed

While you’re busy focusing on getting ready you can slowly get used to the camera, as well as getting used to me being around. From experience, it can be a bit overwhelming if the first time you see me pointing a camera at you is when you walk down the aisle. If you’re feeling nervous about having your photograph taken and that is why you’re not sure about having prep coverage, this is exactly why I should arrive sooner rather than later. This way you can start to fee comfortable with the whole thing on your own terms, in your own time. It won’t feel like the paparazzi have descended!

2. The time you spend with your closest family and friends before saying ‘I do’ is really special.

I don’t do much posing during this part of the day, I do what I can to keep the atmosphere calm and relaxed and focus on documentary coverage. It’s not just about the shots of you having your lashes applied or fixing your tie (although they’re cute too), it’s the nerves, the excitement, the anticipation. The finishing touches, the grand gestures, the heartfelt words. The party atmosphere, the calm before the storm, the emotion. These can be some of the most special photos of the day. Even if you’re getting ready alone or with just one or two people the same still applies, these quiet moments will give your gallery light and shade and tell the true story of your day. In years to come when you look back at your photos and see the full story arc from quietly getting ready to dancing the night away, they will bring all the memories and all the emotions rushing back.

3. You get cute shots having your lashes applied or fixing your tie…

…Well, everyone needs those, right?! I only recommend that I am with you for the last hour and a half-ish of prep, so don’t worry, I won’t be with you from the early hours before you are fully made up! Only for the final finishing touches, the toasts, the cheers and the fun.

4. getting ready together allows for some beautiful relaxed portraits

If you are getting ready with your partner, take some time to help fasten fixings or tie ties. These can make for really intimate and truthful portraits, which are a lovely illustration of the start of your married life together, particularly if you are getting ready at home. I love photographing people in their own space, surrounded by memories, with their favourite pictures on the walls. In years to come you'll love to remember what your home looked like at such an exciting time in your life.

5. I get to know your inner circle and bond with your best people!

This is the main reason I like to be there on the wedding morning. It is often something that couple’s don’t consider (why would you, you have so much to think about!), but from my perspective it makes a world of difference. I will be the supplier who spends the most time with your friends and family on your wedding day, so it is important that they feel comfortable around me. I like the key people in your life to see the way I work early on, mainly so they can relax and know that they will never be in my way! Some family members are used to more formal, traditional wedding photographers so it is nice for them to see that I don’t expect them to pose for me, or be anything other than their wonderful selves. On the wedding morning we will have a chat, we will have a laugh, I’ll get to know them, they’ll get to know me, we’ll find stuff in common and they’ll start to trust me. Then for the rest of the day I’m ‘just Libby’, your newest pal, not some stranger with a camera. And that, my friends, is how we get the best shots!