How to Get Great Wedding Photos with Parents & Grandparents

If you’re hoping to to capture great wedding photos with your parents and grandparents, you’ve come to the right place!

After over a decade of photographing weddings in Southern California, I’ve learned a few tricks to help make that happen! Here are some tips that can help you get great wedding photos with parents and grandparents:

Have them help you during the getting ready process.

This is a great opportunity for them to be a part of the day and it’s a time when emotional moments tend to unfold naturally.

Plan a parent first look!

Sometimes you just have to slow things down and let it sink in! Set aside time for a quick “reveal” moment with parents or grandparents. It gives them a moment to take it all in and process the moment. This always gets amazing reaction photos and encourages a natural interaction that you’ll treasure!

Don’t overload the timeline

If everyone is feeling rushed, it’ll be harder for those emotional moments to unfold naturally. Give yourself plenty of time throughout the day to be in the moment and connected. Working closely with your photographer and your planner to build in breathing time will ensure you and your family get to enjoy the day to the fullest extent!

Create opportunities for organic interactions with them.

Great ways to do this include reception dances, speeches, and a little note or gift to tell them you appreciate them (just make sure your photographer is ready when they read it). You can get creative with it!

Discuss it with your photographer.

You can let them know that these types of images are a priority. They can give it extra attention and time to these moments and help you brainstorm ideas to help encourage natural interaction that allows emotions to happen organically.

As an Orange County wedding photographer, one of my favorite parts about photographing weddings is capturing the emotional moments between family. I’d love to help you get great wedding photos with your parents and grandparents! Inquire now to find out if I’m available for your date!