What is Bridal Portrait?

A bridal portrait (aka bridal photo session) is a photo session where the photographer takes pictures of the bride to capture this special time in her life. It is a chance to celebrate the bridal experience.

Why have a Bridal Portrait?

This pre-wedding photo shoot is a special gift for a bride to capture her unique self before getting married. It’s a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera and find your best angles especially in your wedding gown.

You can also try out different hair and makeup styles with your makeup artist and hair stylist to see what looks best in photos. This session helps you prepare for the photos on your wedding day and cherish the memories of your engagement period.

One of the advantage of booking a Bridal Portrait session early is that it allows brides to have stunning images that can be used for save-the-date cards, wedding invitations, and other pre-wedding announcements.

After all the chaos of organizing and carrying out your wedding day, the bride might appear unkempt or anxious. Bridal Portrait aims to capture serene images of the bride in a peaceful environment, free from any signs of stress or tension.

When to take a Bridal Portrait?

As part of your wedding planning timeline, generally you do the bridal portraits two to three months prior to your wedding date. This is approximately the time when you have to alter your wedding dress to fit your body.

Plan to schedule a bridal portrait preferably early in the morning (like an hour or two after sunrise) as public places (e.g., parks, beaches, streets) are most quiet, unless you prefer indoors at the photographer’s studio.

Where to take a Bridal Portrait?

A popular option for taking a bridal portrait is in a natural setting, like one with a lush garden such as Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens, Wahiawa Botanical Garden, or Fosters Botanical Garden.

Consider photographing at several locations that has meaning to you. Otherwise, use the photographer’s studio and their backdrops if provided.