Bridal Portraits - A Lost Tradition

A young, fresh-faced bride in a long-sleeved lace gown with a full skirt and petticoat smiles from a time-worn frame. Her long veil is attached to her finger waves with a Juliet cap, and she holds a simple bouquet of Lily of the Valley. The backdrop is faded black muslin, in stark contrast to the dazzling white of her dress. The original black and white photo has faded to sepia tones, and is a beautiful reminder of a bygone era, a long-standing tradition of formal bridal portraits that has fallen by the wayside in latter years.

I am sure many of you have a portrait like this that you can conjure up in your imagination. Maybe it hangs in your grandmother's house, or is collecting dust in your mother's attic. These photos are such a wonderful, simple treasure - a keepsake of an ancestor's youth and beauty. I think it's time for a bridal portrait comeback!

It really makes a lot of sense even when thinking about it from a practical angle. First of all, it gives brides a chance to do a test run of their hair, makeup, and even their dress fitting before their wedding day. And any excuse to wear your beautiful wedding gown more than once is a great idea, right?! Of course, the photos should be kept a secret (especially from the groom!) until the big day, but having a private viewing session with your photographer gives you a chance to decide on any hair and makeup changes ahead of time, as well as to get comfortable posing in a wedding dress. Plus, things are so hectic and busy on your wedding day, it's great to have a private, long session with your photographer to capture your bridal portraits in a more relaxed setting.

And it doesn't have to be in a studio! Maybe you'd rather do your bridal portrait session outdoors, or in a special venue. Whatever your personal style, a bridal portrait can be a fun experience and a great way to capture how special this time in your life is. And it is sure to be a treasured keepsake for your future children and grandchildren as well.

Let's bring back this sweet tradition of bridal portraits - contact me today to book your session!