Planning for Epic Evening Portraits on Your Wedding Day

I think it’s safe to say we’re best known for our dramatic portraiture. It’s what gets the most attention on social media, and probably what grabbed your attention and led you to this article.

Interestingly, the majority of our enquiries mention how much they love the natural, bright aesthetic in our work. But it’s definitely the darker, moodier, almost Vanity Fair-style portraits that turn heads the most. And when we deliver workshops or one on one training, that’s the thing other photographers want to know about - how do we make those portraits happen?

So, how does that work on an actual wedding day?

Well, the honest answer is - it doesn’t, not on a typical wedding day schedule. These kinds of portraits don’t just “happen” in between speeches and dances. If you want something special like this, something wall worthy, cinematic and timeless, like so many of our past couples have chosen, it needs to be planned in advance. We simply need to set aside the time to make it happen properly.

Of course, we don’t shoot dramatic evening portraits at every wedding. For some couples, it’s just not their thing and that’s absolutely fine. Some people don’t love the idea of posing. Others want to keep things purely documentary. If I had to guess, I’d say around 40–50% of our wedding clients don’t opt for the big, dramatic evening shot.

And to those who say they’re not comfortable posing, let me tell you something interesting. Almost every couple you’ve seen in those glamorous, cinematic portraits we’ve shared said something similar to me before their wedding. “Bradley, we’re not big posers,” or “We’re a bit awkward in front of the camera.” Totally normal. The good news? Around 80-90% of the photos we take on the day are relaxed and natural, and don’t involve a whole pile of hands on hips!

But here’s the thing: after 8–10 hours together on your wedding day, we build a relationship. There’s trust. Couples come to realise that I’m not on a mission to make them look or feel silly. Quite the opposite, we’re creating something beautiful together. And most people end up really enjoying this part of the day.

So how do we make it happen?

If a dramatic evening portrait is something you’re excited about, just let us know in advance. Let us know how much you want to lean into it. Are there specific details or people you want involved? A classic family car? A second dress for the evening? The full bridal party? The lads smoking cigars outside? Whatever it is, if it means something to you, we can absolutely work it in.

What’s most important is that we set aside dedicated time for it in the timeline rather than scrambling up and down staircases with light stands and trying to pull off something special in 90 seconds before your first dance. Typically, we plan these portraits after dinner but before the dancing kicks off because let’s face it, once the music starts, people get a little sticky and sweaty… and that’s not quite the look we’re after for your Vogue moment.

As always, if you want to chat through your options or ask questions, give us a shout. We’re always happy to help you plan something unforgettable.

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