Wedding photo inspiration and ideas
A good wedding photographer aims to capture the emotion, detail and events of your day with a series of spectacular snapshots, but you’ll help them by having an idea of the photographic styles that you like and the elements that you want to spotlight. So, here’s some wedding photo inspo.
Given all that goes into planning a wedding, from choosing the perfect dress and ideal venue to decorating the tables, accessorising your bridesmaids and picking the blooms that you’ll include in your floral bouquet, it makes sense that you’ll want to capture every detail. And while there are certain shots you can expect your photographer to cover of your wedding day — like elements of the ceremony, bridal party photos, family portraits and couple cuddles and close-ups — their approach and the attention they pay to other aspects of the day can be guided by your preferences. So, ABIA’s Tanya Bywater flips through the portfolios of some of Australia’s best wedding photographers and takes a look at what’s in vogue in wedding photos.
It's worth noting, photography being the artform that it is, that wedding photographers’ styles, talents and specialities vary and many work best when trusted to document the day as it unfolds. Some shots also require particular photographic gear, fancy filters, certain light or specific weather and, of course, most candid photos happen spontaneously, so keep all of this in mind when browsing the images below. Show the ones you really like to your potential wedding photographer, see if they showcase similar work in their portfolio, and chat to them about the practicalities and possibilities for your own occasion and situation. Get creative, take inspiration and you’ll almost certainly end up with some treasured ‘one-off’ wedding photos of your own.
Spotlight special people
We treasure photos for the memories they evoke, and once the confetti’s tossed, the cake’s cut, you’ve unpacked after the honeymoon and the anniversaries begin to mount up, it’s the people you shared your wedding day with who will matter most. So, take the time to have photos taken with the people you hold precious, and aim for a mix of formal portraits and authentic encounters.
Days Like These Events and Photography
Highlight your wedding venues
It might have been a spectacular vaulted ceiling, the bushland setting, a full-length picture window with stunning vineyard vistas, the waterfront location or the design and style of the building itself that first caught your eye, but chances are you chose your wedding ceremony and reception venue for a reason. So point out these features to your wedding photographer and ask them to try to incorporate them into your wedding photos.
Document the details
You’ve likely considered every element of your wedding day, from the flowers in your arrangements to the icing on your cake, the lettering on your stationery and the minutiae of each and every decoration and accessory. So, make a list and chat to your wedding photographer in advance about documenting the finer details of your wedding day, so that you can look back and remember the tiniest of finishing touches forever.
Live in the moment
Candid photographs have the ability to freeze what would have otherwise been a fleeting moment — a giggle, a tear, a whisper, or a stolen glance. The element of ‘luck’ involved in having an eagle-eyed photographer in just the right place at the right time further adds to the whimsy of these types of images. You needn’t rely solely on chance if candid wedding photos are on your wishlist though. To help the process along, scour potential wedding photographers’ portfolios to find one with an ‘eye’ for your preferred photographic styles, and relax, have fun and be yourself on the day to optimise their opportunities for natural, unposed photography.
Enjoy the ride
Wedding transport can be so much more than a means of getting from ‘Point A’ to ‘Point B’ and, for many couples offers a unique opportunity to infuse their wedding day with a little extra personality. So, whether you opt for two, four or multiple wheels — or choose another form of transportation altogether — let your photographer know if your wedding vehicle holds special significance, so that they can ensure it takes the lead in a few of your wedding photos.
Rebekah Bianca Photography & Videography
Draw attention to your wedding dress
Have you ever put this much thought into an outfit? Probably not, so it stands to reason that you’ll want to capture your wedding dress or ensemble from every angle. Think buttons, fabric, beading, lace, back detail and the way the skirt moves when you spin.
Showcase your setting
If you’ve picked a wedding venue with spectacular scenery — be it a modern cityscape, rural expanse, awe-inspiring outlook, sweeping beach, bush surround or urban enclave — be sure to make the most of it and use the landscape as the backdrop for your wedding photographs.
Consider every angle
Portraits of wedding couples — photographed together, with their families and with their bridal party — are traditional shots, and popular for good reason, but you don’t always need to be front and centre. Seek out a creative wedding photographer who sees potential from all angles, or who specialises in drone photography, and ask them to capture your day from a range of perspectives.
Embrace the weather
No matter how carefully you’ve prepped, programmed and planned ahead, you can’t control your wedding day weather, and shots like these prove you don’t need to. Cloudy days cast beautiful light for photography, moody skies produce dramatic backdrops and a good wedding photographer will likely have umbrellas on hand and be prepared to make photographic magic in the rain, mist or any other variations in the weather. So, whatever your wedding day forecast, see it as a photographic opportunity.
Days Like These Events and Photography
Days Like These Events and Photography
Choose a path
Whether a dirt driveway, a cobbled walk, a city lane, a pier or the space between rows of trees or grapevines, there’s something about wedding photos taken on a path of some kind — perhaps because they not only capture the present moment, but symbolically allude to where you’re going and the journey you’ve taken to get there together. So, consider seeking out such spaces as settings for your wedding snapshots.
Rebekah Bianca Photography & Videography
Rebekah Bianca Photography & Videography
Set up the shot
The likes of confetti, bubbles, sparklers and champagne sprays can all add dramatic effect to wedding photographs, but also require some planning, so chat to your wedding photographer about achieving these shots and be sure to have any ‘props’ organised in advance.
Welcome animal antics
There’s a saying that you shouldn’t work with children or animals, but these shots suggest otherwise. Whether they’re part of the family or at home at your wedding venue, including pets, onsite animals and native wildlife can add that something ‘extra’ to your wedding photos. Just be sure to check with any owners first, watch out for your floral bouquet and be prepared for them to steal the limelight!
See the light
It’s no secret that lighting plays a key role in photography, so a basic understanding of the challenges and opportunities it presents can be beneficial when it comes to your wedding photos. ‘Golden Hour’ is the term photographers use to describe the time just before sunset and just after sunrise, when the soft light cast is considered ideal for photos, so it can be worth factoring this into your wedding day scheduling. A good photographer should be able to optimise the light at any time of day though, so consider lighting when flicking through potential photographers’ portfolios and give some thought to the magical effects that it might provide.
If you're planning a wedding in Australia and haven't yet discovered the ABIA website, do yourself a favour and check it out. Within it you can quickly search and find wedding vendors located all over Australia, from wedding venues to celebrants, photographers, caterers, decorators, planners and coordinators, transport providers, hair stylists, make-up artists, florists, videographers, cake designers, live music and even dance teachers and photo booth hire. Every listing is rated and recommended by couples who used the service for their own wedding recently, so you can benefit from their experience. The ABIA website also showcases the latest wedding inspiration and ideas, from sustainable wedding suggestions to destination wedding venues, multi-day wedding planning, the most amazing romantic getaways and honeymoon destinations in Australia and educational articles to help with every wedding planning step, from writing your vows to choosing your wedding flowers. There's even an online wedding registry, so every element of wedding planning is taken care of!
