Wedding Photography – How to shoot the wedding gown

When photographing a wedding, every little details count, especially the bride’s gown.

The bride and her mom may have spent days or week to look for the perfect gown for only put it on once on her Wedding Day.

Sometimes, the photographer has to take a step further to make the shot work and only a professional photographer has a clear vision of the finish image even before taking the shot.

Bear in mind that unlike any other type of photography, you can not recreated the feeling of a real wedding and if you missed that shot, re-staging it will not give your clients the same emotion but the contrary.

The bridal gown, like any other garment, is designed and created to follow the contours and shapes of the body, it will not look the same on a hanger as it would look on you. That is precisely why there are fitting rooms in stores selling cloths and more so in bridal boutiques.

Having shot hundreds of weddings and also being a business partner with one of the biggest bridal store in Canberra gives me that extra touch to create the images that will last over time.

Below are two images so often seen of the now classical shot of the bridal gown, on a hanger.

As gorgeous as the gown may be, this is not how it would look like on the bride. No lighting or composition would make this gown look like it should be seen.

Yes, there is detail, there is shape and texture but there is no style nor life. It almost looks like it’s not meant to be there.

The bridal gown is one of the queen pieces of a wedding. You have to give it all its splendour and glamour, especially if it is a designer cut.

To make the difference between a professional image and a “hang- and-shoot” photo, it only costs $2 at your local hardware shop.

But be careful, you need to make sure that you know what you do and how to do it. This is not a guide for you to get the shot and you will do it at your risk and perils if you choose to use this tip.

This is a $2 clamp from Bunnings. Gently clip the lower back of the dress making sure you don’t damage any beading or lace.

Behind the scenes images taken with a micro four thirds camera.  Detail shot with an Olympus OM-D E-M1 and a 60mm Macro lens.

Below are the images of the bridal gown as it should be taken. At least by NOMAD PHOTOGRAPHY.

Click on the images to enlarge.  Another behind the scenes detail shot of the shoes, bouquet and jeweleries.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 & Olympus 75mm f/1.8 lens.

Images from a recent wedding of Chloe & Jonathan in Canberra.

Behind the scenes photo by Viet.
Edited by Thierry for NOMAD PHOTOGRAPHY

For your wedding, get in touch for a customised package to suit your needs and budget.