The Modern Bridal Portrait
What most people imagine when they hear the words “bridal portrait session” probably falls somewhere between Scarlett O’hara and Sears Portrait Studio; a vision in soft-focus cheeze and yards of tulle. Although wedding photography itself has been validated as an art form over the last 10–15 years, bridal portraiture has not come with it, and that is probably why California photographers do not offer bridal portrait sessions, and California brides do not request them.
Yet a few photographers are trying to bring the tradition back, in a completely untraditional way. Like an engagement session, today’s modern bridal portrait is often taken outside; in quirky, urban settings that might seem more at home in a music video than a wedding. Or it might be taken in the studio; yet with the dramatic lighting, bold colors and patterns, and haughty glamour of fashion photography. Brides are encouraged to have fun with the shoot, to be silly or sexy or serious, to enjoy their part in the creative process.
And these images work, perhaps because the complexity and contrast of them is more suited to today’s bride than the simplistic, virginal archetype of the past. The location and look of the shoot can be varied to reflect the style and personality of a woman who is herself not easily quantified, resulting in images that celebrate all that she is, as she takes the next step into her future.
One phenomenon that has been sweeping the photography world recently is the “Trash the Dress” (TTD) session. Despite the name, these sessions are not really about destroying the wedding dress…in fact they are probably best described as a modern, funky bridal portrait, with a couple of key differences. The term “Trash the Dress” refers to the understanding between the bride and photographer that the focus is on getting the shot, not keeping the dress clean–for some brides this could mean merely being willing to sit on lay on the ground or lean against a dirty stone wall, for others it may mean venturing into water, wet sand, or mud. The point is that there is a sense of freedom about location, an agreement that both the bride and the photographer will do what it takes to make beautiful, unique, often sexy images, regardless of what that means for the condition of the dress. As you might image the other key difference between a typical bridal portrait and a Trash-the-dress, is that TTD sessions are most often done well after the wedding, when the bride does not have to worry about keeping the dress clean and can therefore feel comfortable about taking liberties with it. Beyond the artistic aspects of the shoot, the TTD is rife with symbolism; the key assumption being that the bride has just married her one and only true love, and therefore can dirty or even destroy her wedding dress with the confidence that she will never need it to be wearable again. In reality, just as when a bride has had red wine spilled on her at her reception, even the dirtiest dress can usually be returned to wearable condition by a good professional cleaning.
Whether it’s a pre-wedding bridal session or a Trash the Dress session you seek, there are many way to find a great photographer to shoot it. Most wedding photographers will shoot a bridal portrait if asked, even if it is not something they normally advertise. If the photographer you are considering doesn’t have a specific gallery online of bridal portraits, you can usually get a good sense of what to expect from their wedding galleries; look for portraits of the bride alone or with her groom, as well as the engagement sessions the photographer has shot. This can give you a sense of the way they work in a more controlled situation, where the bride or couple is counting on them to give direction and make images without having a specific sequence of events to capture. If it’s a TTD you are looking for, the website www.trashthedress.com is a good place to start–this site posts images of and links to many photographers all over the world who specialize in these sessions.
Finally, make sure you schedule professional hair and makeup for your session, regardless of the type. Good hair and makeup are essential to looking your best in pictures, and your stylist will know how to do your makeup so it stays on for the entire shoot. If you aren’t sure who to hire, ask your photographer for referrals, and try to find someone who understands your personal style and who you are confident will enhance your beauty, while still maintaining the look you feel comfortable with.
Lauren Cohn-Frankel