First looks are one of the most emotional and intimate moments of a wedding day! Whether it’s the couple seeing each other for the first time, a bride and her dad sharing a sweet moment, or revealing the dress to the bridesmaids, these are the moments that bring all the feels to our brides! As a wedding photographer, our job is to capture those emotions in a way that our couples will treasure forever! Let’s dive into how to photograph first looks on a wedding day!

How to Plan for First Looks

Planning ahead of time is KEY to making first looks run smoothly. Just like anything else on a wedding day, you need to have time planned for each first look that your bride wants to do. If you do not plan for these, your day will run behind before you even really get started!

How much time do you need for first looks?

• Bridesmaids first look: 5-10 minutes
• Dad’s first look: 5-10 minutes
• Groom first look: 10 minutes; followed directly into portraits
• Any other first looks: 5-10 minutes

You’ll also want to be sure you factor in time for setting up, moving between locations, and allowing your couple to have a moment together before starting their portraits. Some couples like to exchange gifts, vows, or letters during this time too!

You may be asking, how do I know who the bride wants to do first looks with? That is where you come in! You will want to be sure to talk with her in some form to create a timeline for her. I like to do consultation calls with each of my brides and send them a timeline. However, you may not want to do so. If you don’t, I just recommend sending a questionnaire to get all of the information you need to plan a successful wedding day timeline for each of your brides.

If you do not already have a timeline you send to your brides, check out my Wedding Day Timeline Template. This template gives you fully customizable timelines you can use in your own business!

Types of first looks

The amount of first looks is completely up to your bride. I have had brides want several different first looks, and some that only want one with the groom. It is just important for you to know how to capture each one properly for your couples.

Bridesmaids
This is such a fun moment of the day! Bridesmaids first looks capture your bride and her girls’ excitement, gasps, and maybe even some happy tears. Sometimes the bride will not reveal the dress to her girls until this moment. This is usually some of the sweetest most candid moments of your bride and her girls! Make sure to find good light for your bride and bridesmaids for the first look. You want to be able to capture their expressions well!

Dad
One of the sweetest moments of the day! Dad’s first look is usually filled with emotion! (Including us as the photographer haha) Whether it’s tears, a big hug, or just pure admiration. Make sure to capture his reaction as well as the bride’s! Be sure to find good light. I like to try and mix up locations if I am able too. Sometimes these first looks are early on in the day and finding good light can be tough, so just find a location that works best lighting wise!

Groom
This is often one of the most anticipated moments of the day for our couples! You want to be sure to choose a private location with good lighting! Sometimes brides don’t mind having others watching. I just like to keep this moment private if that is what the bride desires. It is super important that you don’t rush this part! Let your couple enjoy the moment together before jumping into portraits. I tell my couples before the first look to really take time and soak in the moment. I also like to encourage them to exchange letters, gifts, or vows right after the first look.

Other First Looks to Consider

First looks don’t have to be just for the couple! Here are a few more you might find that your brides want to do!

• Bride & siblings – Sweet reactions from brothers or sisters.
• Groom & mom – There is always a lot of time spent with the bride and her parents. Don’t forget to at least take a picture of the groom with his mom. Even if they don’t do a first look, try and snap some photos of her pinning his boutonniere.
• Grandparents – Sometimes these aren’t planned and you just capture the moment as they arrive. However, I have had brides want a planned first look with them. They make the sweetest photos!

Always ask your brides if there are any other first looks that she would like to happen on her wedding day. This will help you plan time for it and not get behind or feel rushed!

What to Capture During a First Look

Your job as a photographer is to document not just the moment, but the emotions from your bride and whoever she is doing the first look with! Here’s what you should focus on when capturing every first look!

• Setting up the moment: Capture the bride walking to the first look. This can be a bridesmaid helping her and fluffing her veil or train.
• The actual moment they see each other: This will be different for each first look, but you want to try and get everyones initial reaction
• The full reaction in the moment: Once they see each other I always encourage them to go and hug and take in the moment. I like to get the laughs, smiles, tears, and hugs! These are very candid and make such sweet photos!
• The small details: holding hands, wiping away tears, hugs, twirls, bride and groom kiss, vow books, letters, and gifts.

Make sure to move around and capture different angles! You want to get wide shots for the full scene and close ups for all of the emotion!

First looks are such a special part of the wedding day, and when done right, they create some of the most memorable images in a couple’s gallery. Be sure to consult with your bride ahead of time to be prepared for any first looks on a wedding day. Try using these tips at your next wedding to be sure you capture all of the first looks well!

If you have any questions, or thought this blog was helpful would you leave me a comment below!? You can also email me or DM me on Instagram anytime!

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