A wedding or proposal album isn’t just about portraits of the couple themselves. Although those are important, the ideal version of such albums is a tapestry of textures, shapes, and fleeting impressions. A candid memoir of the small details that help capture an atmosphere which will bring the day back to life every time you open the book.
Style the scene with intention
Sometimes people feel that a photo looks too perfect, too staged, but if there is one time and place you can afford to be a bit pretentious, it is now. Flowers, place settings and centerpieces can speak a thousand words about the celebration long after you’ve forgotten the details of the ceremony. Arranging these pieces with care lets the photographer frame them in a way that feels deliberate, rather than trying to make sense out of clutter.
Let light do the work
Light is the unsung hero of detailed images. Morning window light, or the soft, fuzzy glow of the afternoon creates subtle shadowing and adds depth. Those tones allow the subtle surfaces to speak for themselves, whether that be silk ribbons, brushed silverware or gleaming jewelry. With the right light, an emerald cut and trillion three stone ring can look exquisite and stand out among a still life shot. A candid shot of the couple signing the register can subtly focus on the bride’s hand and let the light do the rest.
Capturing movement and emotion
The incidental details matter as much in a wedding album as the stylized ones. If you can capture a hand brushing away a happy tear, or adjusting a lapel before the walk down the aisle, these are moments that make a gallery feel all the more alive. Encourage your photographer to stay alert for four or five great candids, and then invite the gathered friends and family to forget there is even a camera there.
Experiment with angles and framing
The way something is shot can elevate it beyond what it looks like to begin with. A shot through a veil, between two guests’ shoulders, or along a long table can give the composition a feel of intimacy almost like the camera is another guest in the party. Throwing in some background blur, and a touch of motion, stops the images from feeling dead and flat, and they can become part of the story themselves.
Curate with feeling
When you receive your gallery, not every shot will feel the same or have the same emotional pull. That’s why so many are taken to begin with. Picking the images that will make the final album is about choosing the ones that stir something inside you, whether it’s the way the sun catches a dress or a pair of champagne glasses mid-clink. Often, shots that might have seemed throwaway at the time end up with pride of place in the album because of how they feel.
Curating the memories of a special day often means honoring both styled and spontaneous – and, long after the day has passed, these silent shots will speak louder than anything else could about a day you’ll never forget.
