5 Tips to Better Groom Prep Photos | New Orleans Wedding Photographer

If you haven’t check out 5 Tips to Better Bridal Prep Photos click here!

1. Location, location, location

This might be the most important point if you want groom prep photos.. so lean on in! If you’re wanting groom prep photos similar to the bridal prep photos, you need to be mindful of the groom’s getting ready location. When you’re not doing a first look and the groom isn’t staying at a location within your range, it is unrealistic for us to cover groom prep without a second photographer. Also, if you’d like a second photographer be mindful that we usually only travel with one vehicle. We can always share a ride with another vendor or get an Uber, but thoughtful location planning makes all the difference!

Our pro tip is to stay at the same hotel – less locations less stress. 

2. Keep it clean-ish

We find this to be one of the most overlooked details while planning groom prep photos. The bride is typically located in one of the best suites in the hotel, but the groom is put in the smaller hotel room with minimal windows – we want windows! Shooting in a cluttered room with boxers on the floor and cans EVERYWHERE just doesn’t translate to photos well. We don’t need it spotless.. just big enough to move the “junk” into a corner.

3. Prep the groom!

Give your man a little pep talk! Hopefully, I was able to shoot your engagement session before the big day, but even then it’s good to remind your man what the point of all this is! Remember – he doesn’t know the ins and outs of weddings like you do. Walk him through your timeline and ask him what’s important to him!  It might feel forced and uncomfortable today, but in the future you’ll be happy you had so much variety in your wedding gallery and it wasn’t all about the bride. We love our grooms and they deserve photos too!

4. Have thoughtful details

Swapping gifts and letters always makes for beautiful photos! Let your groom know we want to get shots of all his “man-accessories” such as cufflinks, bowtie, watch, boutonniere and shoes. Plan wishlist shots out – be unique and creative! Being intentional about images is what creates some of the BEST wedding photos. Example of thoughtful prep planning: Have the groom wait to shave so we can get a shot of him really getting ready for the big day.

5. Don’t be bridezilla!

This point is similar to number 3, but I think you may need to hear this again! Make this personal to the both of you, but never force your groom into something that isn’t true to who he is. Don’t put to much pressure on your man because attitude is everything on a wedding day. Things will happen that are completely out of your control. Remember what they day is really about! If the both of you are happy and relaxed we will get some great shots. Seriously!

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Ciera + Steele | Maison Lafitte | North shore Wedding