Posing

Turn away from the camera about 45 degrees so that you are at a slight angle to the camera. The best way to do this is to take one half step back, then shift your weight onto the back foot/ leg. Raise the front foot to tip-toe, crossing the knee in. Take a look at our free posing guide for ideas here!

Get as tall as possible by lengthening your spine. Be sure not to hold your breath that will make your shoulders rise and look a bit puffed up. When sitting, come to your tiptoes to make your legs look longer.

Camera Distance

Have you ever taken a selfie and thought your nose looked large or distorted? That’s because the objects or body parts closest to the camera always appear the largest. The further away from the camera something is, the smaller it will look in comparison to its surroundings.

Shot Variety

using the zoom on your photos will not only change how close your subject appears but it will also change the depth of field. It also allows you to shoot from different distances which can really impact how relaxed your subject is (there’s nothing better than a photographer in your face to make you tense up!)

Shooting wide, I truly fell in love with my 35mm lens the moment I first saw the images I produced with it. I love showing environment in my photos and how much detail there is in our vast world. I love the context shooting wide gives of the setting my children are in. Check out our free guide on elopement photography ideas here!

Lighting

Lighting is one of the most important things in photography because it can drastically change the way we look when a photo is taken. Lighting can make you look 10 years older or 10 years younger. Harsh lighting ages you, casts creepy shadows, and can make you look exhausted. The opposite of harsh light is even light, which is what you want to illuminate your beautiful features.

Golden Hour Lighting: One of the most beautiful times of day to capture elopement photography is during the golden hour. This is the hour just before sunset, where the lighting is soft, warm, and diffused. The sun is lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over everything it touches, creating a warm, romantic mood. This lighting is ideal for outdoor elopement photography, as it creates a beautiful, dreamy quality to the images.

Soft, Diffused Light: Soft light is another beautiful lighting option for elopement photography. This type of lighting can be achieved by using a diffuser, such as a reflector or a translucent umbrella. This will soften the light and create a more even, natural-looking illumination. Soft, diffused light is perfect for creating an intimate, romantic mood.

Back-lighting: Another beautiful way to capture the couple’s silhouette against a stunning background. This lighting technique can be achieved by positioning the couple with the light behind them, creating a beautiful, ethereal effect. It’s a great way to showcase the beauty of the couple’s surroundings while still capturing their intimate moment.

Recommendations: Speed lights/Flash units, Light stands and modifiers, Continuous lighting and Light reflectors. The specific equipment you’ll need will depend on your shooting style, the location of the wedding, and the amount of control you want over the lighting. It’s always a good idea to do a site visit or walk through of the venue beforehand to assess the lighting conditions and determine what equipment you’ll need to achieve the desired results.

This is a vertical wide shot that captures the entire environment and its glory. This is what’s called an establishing shot.

This is more of a close up shot that shows more of the facial features. Black & white photos have more of a dramatic effect than colorful pictures.