Wedding photos are a lasting reminder of your special day, a visual keepsake that commemorates the commitment you've made for generations to come. Understandably, you want photos that not only capture quality images but also contain the love and spirit inherent in any exchange of wedding vows. Having your photographer selected is just the first step – you have a role in making your photos great as well! Below, discover a few tips for taking beautiful wedding photos.

How to Ensure Great Wedding Photos

1. Consider your Backdrop

The backdrop of your photos should be a reflection of the wedding theme. If you have an outdoor wedding, for instance, what best represents your big day: a rocky landscape next to crashing waves to show your sense of adventure or tropical trees set against the sunset for a relaxed, intimate appeal? The venue location and time of day will also play a role to determine what will provide the perfect background. 

Although mid-day is often a popular time for indoor weddings, outside at high sun on the beach in Hawaii is not the best time of day for photos – not only can the light be very harsh in photos, but you’ll probably find yourself hot and sweaty (not ideal for those romantic shots!), so choose early morning or around sunset, when the lighting is softer and more romantic.

A good wedding planner will be able to provide expert insight on locations and time of day, not to mention provide you with excellent local professional photography referrals, so you can enjoy these beautiful photos for decades to come. 

2. Smile Naturally

Don't overdo it with over-the-top smiles, which may look insincere and artificial. They can also push the cheeks out and force you to squint your eyes. Instead, aim to smile as naturally as possible. Focus on the joy of the wedding—not putting on a good show for the camera—and let that joy show in your face. Relax your face and settle into a smile rather than tensing up and forcing one.

3. Schedule Accordingly

If you are doing a simple beach wedding, be sure to consult your wedding planner for the ideal amount of time for your photos, based on the kinds of photos you want (i.e. do you want lots of family photos as well as romantics? Or are you good with just a couple of shots with the fam and want to focus on the romantic shots?). They’ll be able to tell you how long the ceremony is, and how long you’ll have for photos on each end, given a certain time frame, and advise if you need to extend or shorten the time you are thinking.

Even with a simple beach wedding you can still opt to have the photographer come and take “getting ready” shots, or do a first look (often on the beach), as you might do with a more traditional wedding. It all depends on what makes you happy, and how simple you want to keep your big day, while still getting the memories that are important to you! 

 

The venue you choose for the wedding plays an important role in your photos. Simple Kona Beach Weddings offers unforgettable beach wedding packages (with venue assistance) in the Kailua-Kona, HI, area. Whether you want an intimate destination wedding or a vow renewal, they will design the ceremony that celebrates your love and dedication. Call (888) 582-5775 to schedule a consultation or visit their website for a full list of package options.

All photos in this post were captured after a wedding by Simple Kona Beach Weddings, and were taken by the talented Hannah C’s Photography.

NOTE: Due to how the photos are resized and published in this format, some photos do not appear as clear and crisp as they are in their original form.