In today’s Tips & Tricks, we’re going to talk about the top five must-have getting ready photos for her as a Monterey photographer. I think these are really key to preserving special moments behind the scenes with you and your lovely ladies!

Must have – Girl Time

This is that special get-ready-with-me time with you and your friends and family. The bride isn’t in her dress yet, everyone’s wearing their cute matching robes, drinking champagne and calming those nerves! Capturing this time of preparing and hanging out before the ceremony and activities begin really adds to your album of memories for your wedding day.

Must have – Her Details

Similar to his details, pictures of her vows, her ring, her family heirlooms- these complementary pieces make the couple’s story so much more visually cohesive. I had one gal who wore her mother-in-law’s fur coat, SO precious! These details will tie everything together in a pretty ribbon. It adds to the sentimentality of everything when you look back on it after the fact.

Must have -The Dress

This is a sacred time! The bride puts on her dress and shows herself to her family. Capturing the candid reactions of her mother, her mother-in-law, her sisters, and her bridesmaids are one of my favorite things about wedding photography. The teary smiles and embraces are one of a kind! The energy in the room becomes quiet and thoughtful as they make little adjustments here and there. One by one putting jewelry on the bride before she enters this new chapter of her life, it’s truly a special moment that I can’t emphasize enough has to be captured.

Must have – Mother-Daughter Moment

This is the immediate follow up now that the dress is on and the finishing touches have been made. Of course, this could also be the Sisters’ Portrait or the Best Friends’ Portrait- whoever the bride wants this special connection to be captured with before she becomes a wife. The final moments before she takes on this new identity and starts her journey with her partner are moments you won’t be able to recreate. I get a good chill thinking about the powerful emotions and reflections that fill up the room.

Must have – The Bridal Portrait

Finally, this is just before the first look begins. The bride is alone with her thoughts. Thoughts of how the rest of the wedding will proceed. Thoughts of how the rest of her life will proceed. It’s an indescribable moment of looking back and looking forward. I guarantee the expression on her face will change the moment she sees her lover and vice versa! The nervous smile becomes overwhelmed with restless excitement and joy for the future. It’s something to be memorialized alongside all the beautiful moments to come!

I hope these five Tips & Tricks on must-have getting ready photos for her inspire you for your big day! You won’t want to miss the opportunities for these reflections on your history as lovers, before, during, and after the wedding. They’ll be just as breathtaking then as they will be years into the future when you look back at your album.

Capturing these moments for you would be my pleasure! Contact me here and we’ll make it happen together!

Shoes – Badgley Mischka Bow Shoes

Florals – Fionna Floral

Venue – Mission Ranch, Carmel By the Sea California

Film – Fuji 400H

Film lab – Photo Vision Lab

Ring Box – The Mrs. Box