Emotional Wedding Images – Create the Opportunity
So, friends…I’ve been editing oodles of wedding photos and I’ve decided that I want to share a special selection with you separately, which I’ve not really done before. But I want to put a spotlight on a special part of Kelsie and Paul’s wedding day. Partly because I’m in love with the photos and partly because I think there is much to learn here for our future couples!
We know most of our couples are attracted to our style of photography because we focus on capturing interaction and creating emotional wedding images. That’s what we’re after. Those are the images that get framed. Those are the images that get passed down to grandbabies. Those are the images those grandbabies take to their own wedding photographers to recreate. (Think I’m exaggerating? Be sure to watch out for Kelsie and Paul’s full blog post. You’ll see.)
But here’s the thing!
You have to create the opportunity for emotion.
I can create interaction. I can create affection. I can create laughter and I can create romance.
I cannot create emotion.
It cannot be manufactured.
It’s either real and its visible or it’s fake and it looks fake.
On a wedding day, there is going to be some level of emotion – absolutely this is true. But if you want real, bring-a-tear-to-your-eye emotional images of your wedding day, you need to create the opportunity for emotion to show.
Ask your mom, sister or best friend to assist you in putting on your dress or veil. Ask her ahead of time. Tell her it’s important to you. Don’t let her stand in the corner and wonder if maybe she should help. Set the stage in advance, “Woman-friend, I would love it if you would button me into my wedding dress on my big day.” Boom. Woman-friend knows its important, you know it’s important – opportunity created.
Plan a First Look with your father or brother and grandfather. When the (other) man in your life sees you in your wedding finery for the first time – that’s a special moment. But not if he doesn’t realize he’s about to see you. Not if he’s in the middle of handling an issue with the caterer or surrounded by people he is uncomfortable with. Set that stage, baby… “Dad, before I see almost-husband for the first time, I want a quick minute with you. Meet me outside the bride’s room at 10:15.” Opportunity created.
The same goes for seeing (or as you are about to see – not seeing) your soon-to-be-spouse. If you save that moment for the altar, that’s an opportunity created. If you plan a First Look, that’s an opportunity created. Consider your personalities. What situation is going to allow each of you to react most honestly? Heat of the moment, at the altar, with the organ playing? Privately, without an audience? Create an opportunity that suits you.
Not sure how to make it happen? Ask us, man, that’s our job.
So all of this rambling is inspired by a series of images that I’m about to share. Probably some of my favorite images, ever.
Kelsie and Paul agreed they did not want to see each other prior to their ceremony. They did, however, know that they wanted a few private moments together. And – giving consideration to who they are as a couple, how they communicate, what’s important to them – they determined that exchanging letters and reading them together was the best option.
Opportunity created.
See for yourself…
Emotion. The real deal.
Their grandbabies will do this on their wedding day. I promise.