Locations for Your Bridal Portrait

Not every bride is cut out for the studio and we love that.  The bridal portrait is a great opportunity to showcase your personality and interests.  The first step is to look through for images that appeal to you (be realistic- if you live in Austin, Texas, you are unlikely to find a location which looks like Venice, Italy)- pay attention to what about the image is appealing.  Is it the lighting, the location, the time of day it seems to be taken, the effect of the image (black and white, color, sepia tones, colorized, high contrast) or the style (elegant, edgy, sophisticated).  

When I recommend you be realistic- this is critical.  We'd all like to do a sitting which rivals Carrie's in Vogue when she was featured as the Fortyish bride- the floral abounding- easily thousands of dollars, a perfectly appointed setting and artificial lighting- but alas, few of us has the budget for such an elaborate bridal sitting.  If you do, I highly recommend the effort and expense- if you don't, make sure the photos you select in magazines reflect real possibilities.

The venue where you are having the ceremony or reception is a good option if available- this will make for a  lovely presentation of your portrait the day of the wedding.  Consider interesting architecture in your city- landmarks you identify with, places you enjoy (the state fair is not off the table for some, but the dress is at great risk)- a downtown setting is an option for a more urban bride- but like the Arboretum, which is wildly popular- keep in mind it is a public domain and you will be subject to, well, the public.  There is no privacy like a closed studio if you find you are not comfortable.  

A great deal can be accomplished in the studio- most images in wedding magazines are in studio- lighting, floral, back ground, and props can create stunning portraits.  Don't categorically reject the studio, do both- you might be pleasantly surprised.  Either way, shooting in studio and on location will give you more content than you imagined to make your selections.