"＼I Wish I Had Done More!／ A Report on Regrets and Reflections from a Bride-to-Be After Her Pre-Wedding Photoshoot*"

2017.01.07 published

First of all, self-introduction＊

Nice to meet you. I'm Keiko＊

Like everyone else, I’m a bride-to-be planning my wedding♡ (I'm getting married in spring 2017＊) I always enjoy looking at the Instagram of recently married brides and fellow brides-to-be!

Recently, I had a pre-wedding photo shoot＊

It's more fun for me to watch other people's wedding preparations, and my own wedding planning has been slow to progress, but just recently, I did a traditional pre-wedding photo shoot in my hometown in the Hokuriku region!

Instead of using a wedding-specialized photo studio, I chose a plan that allowed us to take scenic photos while sightseeing＊ (My husband is not a fan of photos, so he wouldn't agree to a "typical pre-wedding shoot"... lol)

The photo shoot while walking through the town was super fun, and the finished photos were, as expected from a professional, of outstanding quality—I was really satisfied♡

However, looking back, there are so many things I wish I had done differently...

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This time, I would like to report on my regrets from the pre-wedding photo shoot＊ I hope it will be helpful for future brides-to-be who are planning their own pre-wedding shoots♡

In particular, if brides are requesting a pre-wedding shoot from photographers who are not specialized in wedding photos due to scheduling or budget constraints, please check this out♩

@keiko_tk03

～Regret ①～ I should have clearly communicated my preferred photo style!

Photography is incredibly deep, and even with the same scenery, the vibe differs completely depending on who is taking the photo.

Whether the atmosphere is gentle and soft or sharp with defined shadows… it’s really important to convey your desired image to the photographer at the beginning!

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For example, take a look at this photo＊

This is a shot taken with a strong use of the flash. The light is hitting the couple, making them stand out distinctly from the background.

@keiko_tk03

Here’s a shot taken in the same place with the same pose, but with a more restrained use of the flash. The subjects blend more with the background, creating a softer atmosphere♡

I personally prefer soft, fluffy photos, so I regretted not asking for all the shots to be taken with less flash right from the start…

Everyone has their preferences, so if you don’t express them, they won’t be understood. Before the shoot starts, I highly recommend showing your favorite style of photos and asking them to capture something similar♩

@keiko_tk03

～Regret ②～ I should have checked the mirror more often!

This might not happen often, but… during my pre-wedding shoot, I ended up with lipstick on my front teeth!

Of course, I didn’t realize it myself; I only found out when my fiancé pointed it out during a facing shot! Those dozens of photos taken before that all had lipstick on my teeth…

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If a stylist is accompanying you, they will likely notice right away, so that’s reassuring. But if not, it’s advisable to check the mirror frequently!

It might also be a good idea to ask the photographer or the groom to keep an eye out for issues like lipstick smudges or split bangs in advance◎

(In my case, there was a shot of me in the moment of panic when I was pointed out, so it turned into a good memory in its own way♡ lol)

@keiko_tk03

～Regret ③～ I should have asked for a composition that’s easier to crop into a square!

You definitely want to post your favorite pre-wedding photos on Instagram, right?♡ The basic format on Instagram is square. Even if the photographer captures a wonderful composition, you often have to crop it when posting…

@keiko_tk03

I really like this photo, but if I crop it into a square, the beautiful cobblestones and the town background are almost entirely lost…!

I wish I had asked from the beginning, “I want to crop into a square, so please shoot from a bit farther away.”

@keiko_tk03

～Regret ④～ I should have explained the items more!

Many brides bring various items like initial objects or red threads to the pre-wedding shoot.

While studios specializing in wedding photos are familiar with using standard items for shoots, for photographers that don’t specialize in weddings, you should clearly communicate what kind of photos you want using those items◎

@keiko_tk03

The photographer who assisted us was really nice and struggled to use the items he had never seen before, but not all shots turned out as I had imagined.

For instance, the “K” in an initial object shot was upside down, or we were too far in the background…

I regretted not having printed and brought along a reference of the compositions I had in mind for explanation!

@keiko_tk03

～Regret ⑤～ I should have requested candid shots!

Looking back at the photos, candid shots taken by the photographer while I was unaware often capture me looking more natural than posed shots where I was fully aware of the camera.

I wish I had asked them to take more shots of me joking around and playing with my fiancé in between takes!

Some people might not like being photographed without knowing it, so it’s better to communicate from the start, “I would like plenty of off-shots♡” so that the photographer feels easier to capture those moments＊ It’s recommended to ask in advance♡

@keiko_tk03

Summary♡

I reported on the regrets I had during my pre-wedding photo shoot＊ I hope it helps brides-to-be approaching their own pre-wedding shoots♡

Despite having regrets, I was able to get wonderful photos, create a once-in-a-lifetime memory, and I’m very satisfied♡

@keiko_tk03

Initially, I hadn’t planned to have a pre-wedding shoot, but after seeing the finished photos, my family was happy, and my fiancé was motivated to start a diet (lol), so it turned out to be a great experience that I’m really glad I had♡

I pray that all brides-to-be can capture happy wedding photos♡

➡ Here is Keiko from the marry editing team’s Instagram account♡ Please connect with me＊