These days, brides want more out of their bridal portraits than just a pretty shot to display at the ceremony and on their parents’ walls afterward. Instead of cliché poses, brides and their photographers are creating special portrait concepts and executing predetermined themes. We’re obsessed with this trend, which is why we bring you “Bridal Portrait Breakdown,” periodic blog posts that take you behind-the-scenes of a particular bride’s portrait session and concept. Hopefully you’ll be inspired and enjoy the beautiful photography as much as we do.
We asked April and her photographer to tell us about their shoot, here’s what they had to say…
- Bride: April Anderson
- Photographer: Miles Witt Boyer Photography
- Location: Various barns and rustic locales in Northwest Arkansas
- Gown: Alfred Angelo, Prom & Bridal Gallery, Fayetteville
Three words to describe your bridals: Glamorous. Timeless. Fresh.
What inspired your portrait session? “I’ve always lived on a farm in Northwest Arkansas and now James, my fiancé, loves the farm too. Our goal is to own our own farm someday,” April said. “Other than that, the water and field pictures are reflecting our love for hunting and fishing.” / “When we met with her months ago to begin to brainstorm her photos and the overall feel of her wedding, she took our country chic idea and went nuts with it,” Miles said.
How did you bring April’s vision to life? “We wanted to make April’s bridals much more than just a little fun, so we planned her shoot around some fairly dramatic old barns scattered here and there and, of course, the perfect big fields to show off her country theme,” Miles said.
Favorite portrait and why? “I love the waterfall picture where I’m sitting on the boulder with the vintage tone. I think that it displays class and style,” April said. “I feel like it is me at my best. The other is the detail shot holding the purse and grasping my gown. The brooch on the gown belonged to my grandmother and so did the purse. It’s like there’s a touch of her in almost every picture, but especially that one.
Advice for brides preparing for their portrait sessions? “Make it fun; and add hints of sentiment,” April says, “When I show these pictures to my family and friends they remark on the shots where my funny personality shines through, and they love that I incorporated so many family heirlooms.”
Want to submit your own bridal portrait breakdown? Email Info@ArkansasBride.com 2 to 5 photos from your session. Include your full name,photographer’s name and email, shoot location, where you bought your gown and gown brand, and a brief response to these questions: Three words that describe your bridals; what inspired your portrait session; favorite portrait and why; and what advice would you give other brides preparing for their portrait session.