When you’re capturing memories of incredibly important life events like a prom night or a wedding, it’s good to know how to get those candid emotions and those shots that tell a story that you’ll have no problem looking back on for years to come.
From those nervous feelings before the big wedding dress reveal to the raw joy of spending time with your friends as you leave school for the final time. These are all a lot better than just posed portraits. When I look back at my prom photos, there’s a great difference between those and my wedding photos. The same goes for the difference between my posed wedding photos with friends and families, and the ones captured naturally.
*This is a collaborative post.
*This is a collaborative post. Prom Night & Young Adulthood
I’m going to tell you now that the younger generation of today looks so much different in prom wear than we did. Oh dear lord, when I look at my photos, I’m cringing. It wasn’t necessarily a bad dress that I bought, but it’s hard for me to recognise the person in the photo because she’s a world away from who I am now. I suppose that’s growth for you.
If you’ve got a prom night coming up soon, then a few tips I’d recommend include:
Embrace photos that aren’t staged
Of course, it’s nice to get one or two photos of your outfit posed, especially when you’ve looked high and low for the right outfit, a popular choice being a prom dress finder approach. However, try not to focus only on the formal group shots. Capture some candid moments over selfies, whether it’s the excitement of getting ready, the walk to the car, or the limo.
Designate a photographer
Consider designating a photographer from the group, so that not everyone is taking too many photos at once. Assign one person to capture photos at a certain point in the day/evening.
That way, many of you in the group can relax and enjoy being part of pictures without a phone or camera in your hand.
Find some natural light
Avoid any direct and harsh sunlight. Choose a shaded area for photos, and if outside, place the sun behind the group to avoid having to painfully squint.
Wedding Day and Capturing Authentic Emotions
Your wedding day is perhaps one of the most important days of your life, which is why you want to make sure the photographer knows exactly what you want and also how to get the most out of your wedding guests, too.
Prioritise candid photos
Make sure you hire a photographer who aligns with your wants and needs for capturing your special day—someone who specialises in storytelling and offers candid photo opportunities.
You’ll also want to ensure any photos captured of your wedding party can be found by those attending, so use apps like Wedding Photo Swap to share those wonderful moments.
Plan a first look
When you’re planning your photography list, make sure to include a private, ‘first look’ session before the ceremony to capture that raw joy and emotion without the pressure of a crowd.
Utilise disposable cameras or Polaroids
Placing disposable cameras on guest tables or setting up a Polaroid station provides you with a perspective of your wedding day that you might not be able to experience as much, which is through the eyes of your guests! This often leads to unexpected, charming moments.
Record real audio and video content
As well as photos, it’s great to also capture some real audio and video footage too. We had a video camera set up to capture some guest messages. In hindsight, it was probably located a little too far away from where the main party was, but we got some good videos.
Take a private moment
Steal around five or ten minutes alone together after the ceremony or dinner to breathe and to connect, allowing your photographer to capture genuine, unposed intimacy between the two of you.
Get groupie shots
Get a photo of all of your guests together, perhaps right after the ceremony or until they start letting loose over the bar.
Whatever special event might be coming up soon, it’s good to capture the content that you’ll forever look back on with happiness. Use these tips to maximise your special moments from a prom night to your wedding day.
