I heard about "first look" photographs several years ago, but it wasn't until I attended a wedding photography class this year that I became intrigued with them. For the past few years, John and I have been running into the same problem with many of our weddings... lack of time to photograph everything the bride and her mother (and we) want. We pride ourselves in being quick with the posed family portraits after the ceremony, typically 30 minutes maximum. However, that simply is not enough time to get the AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, and CREATIVE portraits we would like to capture of the bride and groom. It is only enough time to capture the family portraits, wedding party and a few quick shots of the bride and groom in the end, time permitting. We could take more time (many photographers use a full hour of reception time), but we feel like the newly weds should attend as much of their reception as possible. Most of our brides actually want it this way and are perfectly happy with only a few portraits of them with their new groom. I feel that this is a great disservice though, and am just dying to find a bride willing to do a "first look". So if you too are intrigued, keep reading!

Your wedding day is all about you (not in a bridezilla way, but in a memorable, romantic way)! So, why not make yourselves a priority in the photography? Repeat after me, "we're number one, we're number one!"

Reasons to do it:

1. Instead of being in a packed room for the first look, the bride and groom get to share an intimate moment with each other in a secluded setting. She can sneak out behind him, tap him on the shoulder and see his reaction to "the first look" up close and personal. When the first look occurs as you walk down the isle, you can't hug or kiss your groom when you reach him. You have to try to sneak glances and suppress all that giddiness as you stare at the priest.
   
2. Ten minutes alone! After all it is your day and throughout the whole wedding this will be the only time you get to spend alone together. After we photograph the first look (from a distance), we will leave you all alone to connect emotionally, really talk to each other and savor the moment.
3. More time to take intimate, beautiful photographs of the bride and groom on their day! After ceremony portraits are rushed with all of the obligatory family portraits. We have found that most brides sacrifice portraits of them alone with their groom in an effort to please the family and still get to their reception in a timely manner.
4. The bride and groom CAN attend their cocktail hour! Who knew? If we photograph your first look pre-ceremony as well as your wedding party, we only have family portraits left post-ceremony. We can photography all of your required family portraits in 30 minutes or less! Get ready to mingle and relax!
5. Nix those nerves! Most brides and grooms are really nervous with all of the pressure of seeing each other for the "first time" at the ceremony in front of all their friends and family. Having some personal time before the ceremony to see enjoy and reassure each other will calm even the worst nerves.
   

1. The tradition of walking toward your groom in a room full of family and friends.
2. Your guests will not see your first look. Chances are good that you might cry when walking down the aisle and seeing each other for the first time (…resulting in, you guessed it: the ugly cry).