Wedding Day First Dance Photo—Show Off Her Rings!

6245402974_70208378af_z

How about a twist on the more common Wedding Day first dance photos, Mother of the Bride? How about one that shows off the bride’s rings? That’s right, why not highlight the fact that she’s a married woman now. Let the glory of it be recorded for all time!

As the bride slips her arms around her groom’s neck, the photographer can capture the perfect shot—and not only of the rings, but of their love and of the elegance and beauty of their fairy tale day. Her freshly manicured nails and the sparkle of her rings shows up perfectly against his black tux, creating such a rich shot. But more than that, the love shines through without a word in this simple and tender pose.

MOB, why not share this post with the photographer so he or she can be looking for the perfect opportunity to capture a similar shot with your daughter and her beloved? What a sweet surprise it will be for them when they see the photos from their special day!

*You might also like to read Engagement Photo Idea: Show Off the Ring and A Keepsake Photo of the Wedding Invitation.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out next week. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Don’t miss out on the One-More-Chance Starbucks Giveaway on my home page. Deadline to enter is Feb. 10th!

*Flickr Photo by Corey Ann, Creative Commons License

Cute Engagement Photo Idea: Include the Dog!

4516104089_ed08da4839_z

Mother of the Bride, does your daughter have a running list of possible engagement photo ideas to share with their wedding photographer?

If so—and if your little gal and her guy have a much loved dog (or other pet)—here’s an idea you’ll want to share with her pronto. Have the photographer include their pooch in a shot!

Including the couple’s dog is such a fun idea, and I especially like the super cute way it’s done in the photo above—doggie in the center with the Mr. & Mrs.-to-be planting kisses on him or her at the same time. Of course, the photographer will probably take a series of shots with the dog, so I’m sure they’ll be sure to get several great photos.

So MOB, share this photo with your sweet couple and keep your eyes peeled for other unique ideas. They’ll appreciate every great idea you can send their way!

*You might also like to read Engagement Photos: Consider a Night Shoot, Engagement Photo Idea: Bike Fun!, Engagement Photo Idea: Show Off the Ring, and Engagement Photo Idea: Frame That Moment!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Corey Ann, Creative Commons License

Engagement Photo Idea: Include Heart Balloons!

9457942032_bf8670493a_z

Mother of the Bride, don’t you love how fun and creative engagement photos are today? Sure, the photographer may have your soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs. pose for a traditional shot or two, but the more creative shots capturing the personality of the couple or the depth of their love are the ones you’ll love the most.

Pictured above is an engagement photo idea too cute not to pass along—heart balloons included in a shot where the couple is kissing. Isn’t this a super sweet photo? So much love expressed through the kiss as well as the hearts. What a fun shot filled with the promise of a lifetime of love. Romance and fun at the same time make this shot a winner, a real must-have photo to commemorate your little girl’s engagement.

So why not show this heart balloon idea to your daughter, MOB, and see if she and her honey would like to include something similar in their engagement photo session. After all, their hearts are already soaring in love. They might as well picture it, right?!

*You might also like to read Engagement Photos: Consider a Night Shoot, Engagement Photo Idea: Bike Fun!, Engagement Photo Idea: Playground Fun, and Engagement Photo Idea: Frame That Moment!

*Flickr photo by Bert Palmer, Creative Commons License

Bridal Portrait Idea: A Stairway Shot

DSC_1892

Mother of the Bride, bridal portrait photos will definitely be among some of the most beautiful photos ever taken of your daughter. A little planning before the photo session will reap a great reward so if you haven’t done it yet, start a list of possible shots you’d love to see the photographer capture of your sweet girl.

Be sure to add a stairway shot to your list of possibilities. Of course, capturing this particular shot will depend on the location of the photo shoot, but if there is a stairway anywhere on the premises or nearby, ask the photographer to take a few shots there. If you or the bride definitely want stairs included, keep that in mind as you select your location. Many historic buildings and homes have beautiful staircases that will translate into gorgeous photos.

Stairway shots can be so elegant and classy, whether looking down on the bride (as in the photo above of my daughter Kelli) or taken from behind the bride with her gown and train beautifully displayed on the stairs. Your photographer and/or your daughter may have some other great ideas for stairway shots as well.

So go prepared with ideas, MOB, and make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime bridal portrait session. Be sure to take some tissues with you, though. I warn you there may be a few tears as you behold your beautiful daughter in all her wedding day finery!

*You might also like to read Bridal Portrait Idea: Windows Plus Great Light, Bridal Portrait Idea: A Mirror Shot, Bridal Portraits: Include Some Artsy Shots, Bridal Portrait Idea: A Shot with Mom, and Bridal Portrait Idea: Fun With Sunglasses!

*The Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway is underway. Details are in my Oct. 19 post on my home page and sign-up is to the right under “Free For You.” Deadline is 6 p.m. Nov. 11. Don’t miss out on the chance to win a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble!

*Photo by Will Flowers

Wedding Photo Idea: Hideaway Moment

4641589899_0e46dd3452_z

Mother of the Bride, are you on the lookout for wedding photo ideas you can share with the bride and groom? If not, it’s not too late. Today is a great day to get started because I’ve got a super sweet idea to share with you.

The hideaway shot above captures a stolen intimate moment between the newlyweds. Not only will it become a photo they will treasure their entire lives—and I love it in black and white—it will provide them with a precious private moment on the wedding day itself.

Ask the photographer to be on the lookout for a spot similar to the scene above—a place where the groom can pull the bride off to the side for a moment and whisper sweet nothings in her ear or steal a kiss while guests mingle unaware in the background. The stars of the show will be so happy to sneak in some private time like this that they will quickly forget the photographer’s presence and truly delight in the moment.

So MOB, give your love birds an early gift and suggest the Hideaway Moment shot. They will love the idea—and they’ll love you for suggesting it. Another win-win for the Mother of the Bride!

*You might also like to read Wedding Day Tip: A List for the Photographer, Wedding Photo Idea: Black and White Bubble Shot, Wedding Photo Idea: Groom Admires His Bride, and Wedding Photo Idea: The Corner Shot.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early November. Sign up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Tela Chhe, Creative Commons License