Why Photographers Recommend a First Look

  It seems like all wedding photographers are recommending the first look nowadays. There’s a reason for this. It’s not because we’re trying to ruin traditions, give you bad luck, or force you into something you don’t want to do. It’s because all we want is to see our clients stress-free on their wedding day.

 

  It is super important to me that I prepare all of my clients for possible wedding day stressors.  For example, timelines get pushed back, weather can go bad, family formals can be a nightmare. There’s always a way to avoid these scenarios. Luckily, most can be avoided with one simple thing – a first look.  I can go on and on about why First Looks are the best choice a couple could make on a wedding day, but I figured I’d break it down into a list.

6 Reasons Why to Have a First Look

1. MORE Portraits

Wedding photography is a huge investment. Most people want to get the biggest bang for their buck. When you opt into a first look, you automatically allow more time for portraits. Almost 90% of my consultations I get asked, “How many pictures do you include in your galleries”? If you’re asking this, it’s obvious you want more portraits!

 

2. Bad Weather? No Worries!

Most brides believe that the worst possible thing that could happen on their wedding day is rain. Although I believe there could be much worse happen, I can agree I wouldn’t want rain ruining my outdoor ceremony.  On average, rainy days have a break in the rain clouds. If there are two opportunities in the wedding day timeline to take portraits, rain doesn’t seem as stressful. On the other hand,  one opportunity means less opportunity to miss the rain.  I always come prepared with clear umbrellas for my clients, regardless!

 

3. Alone Time

On average, most couples after their wedding day say the first moment they get to spend alone is when they get back to the hotel and want to pass out.  This is SO sad! You spend so much time planning the day, yet don’t get a chance to sneak away to have a moment. Having a first look allows you to have this moment on your wedding day. Need I say more?

 

4. No More Nerves

Wedding days without a first look feel like a lot of sitting around. I don’t know about you but when I sit around on an important day, I start to get anxious. Imagine sitting there thinking about how you have to keep it together while saying your vows, how emotional you’ll be walking down the aisle, and how your hair and makeup will look after being done for so many hours. Stressed yet? First looks take up that buffer time while allowing you to destress with the person you love most. Are you sold yet? Oh wait, there’s more.

 

5. Party all the Time

Picture this – You pay $20,000 for a party with appetizers, open bar, and your closest family and friends but end up having to pay an additional $500-$1000 on a party bus to take you to bars to ultimately show up “late” to the most expensive party of your life. Opting into a first look allows you to fully enjoy your expensive party immediately after you say “I Do!”

 

6. Natural Portraits

The majority of my clients tell me they’re awkward in front of the camera. Aside from this being completely not true, there’s a way to make portraits more comfortable. Imagine seeing your groom for the first time and immediately going into portraits. He won’t be able to keep his hands off of you! The snuggly, nuzzley, smiley, lovey-dovey portraits become so natural. Those portraits are extremely candid and cannot be recreated! Is it obvious I’m super fond of first looks?

 

In conclusion, my list is never-ending. I never want my clients to feel like I’m forcing them into something they don’t want. To be honest, I used to feel bad bringing first looks up to the clients who were completely against it. Most of the time, people don’t even know what first looks are like. Brides want a reaction from their grooms. Brides believe the only way to get that reaction is while she’s walking down the aisle. I’ve seen it plenty of times that the reaction isn’t there because everyone is staring at him for that reaction. First looks are intimate enough that he doesn’t have to worry about everyone seeing him cry.  It’s just you, him , and me clicking away in the background. More times than not, brides get 2 reactions with a first look. One when he sees you the first time and another while you’re walking down the aisle. What’s better than 2 reactions?!? Nothing, absolutely nothing.

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