Why Shooting Make Up and Hair Moments Has Value

Working out when your photographer will start and end her/his coverage of your big day is one of the biggest decisions you are going to make regards photography. Unfortunately, the reality is that this is often a fiscal decision, you get a certain amount of hours with your photographer and you want to get the most bang for your buck…

My clients regularly question whether shooting “getting ready” moments is important, and whether they should not rather start me later and have me stay longer at the reception. I my opinion they are, and here are my reasons…

1 - Getting Comfortable With You Wedding Photographer

You have probably had a couple of chats on the phone and hopefully a pre-wedding meet, but having your photographer actually shooting you before the day starts officially is priceless, you get a feel for her/his vibe and avoid seeing him/her in action for the 1st time as you walk down the isle or meet for a reveal moment. It’s also nice for the photographer to get a feel for you, and how you react to camera before he/she starts shooting the big moments.

2 - Creating Narrative in Wedding Photography

For me, this is super important. My wedding photography aim really is to create a story, rather than a few disjointed pretty pictures. So even if you only have your photographer join you for this part of your day for a few minutes, creates the timeline that enables a narrative. Also remember, your family and friends, and maybe even your partner, will not experience this part of the day with you so it is a part of the story that needs filling in for them.

3 - Getting The Wedding Dress On = This Shit Just Got Real

The moment the bride gets her wedding dress on, and reveals it to her bridal party is often a moment of real emotions, for both the bride and her mom/friends/family. That’s what we want as photographers, the best images live in the really big moments.

A Hack In Time

What I recommend, if time is an issue and you cant have your wedding photographer around for the whole getting ready phase, is to have her/him just pop in as your MUA is finishing her final touches. That way your photographer gets a couple of images of you “looking pretty” as your hair and make up is mostly done, and then some images of you getting into your wedding dress, without spending a lot of time on this phase. Planning is everything!