The Must-Have Photography List of the 2014 Wedding Season

Happy Monday. Today I have a fun article courtesy of SmugMug {the leading website for storing and sharing photo. With the height of wedding season right around corner, brides across the country are planning every last detail of the big day – from the favors and signature cocktail to the DJ playlist and, of course, photography shot list. SmugMug has pulled together its resources to compile the must-have photography list of the 2014 wedding season. Taking the traditional photos up a notch (or two), SmugMug offers brides-to-be a new take on bridal favorites, from artsy ring shots to aerial first dances.

1. Get Creative with the Ring Shot

We’ve seen plenty of rings nestled in a bouquet of flowers or resting on the heel of a Jimmy Choo shoe, but it’s time to get creative with your left hand’s best accessory. Whether incorporating your favorite pastime (eating) by wrapping rings around a fork and knife or taking the artsy "plunge" by dropping them in water, ask your photographer for new ways to show off the bling.

Great ring shot of the bride's wedding ring and engagement ring inside the groom's wedding band | photo by Courtney Whitehurst Photography www.courtneywhitehurstphotography.zenfolio.com

Fun wedding ring shot - balanced on red velvet heels with bling bows | photo by Courtney Whitehurst Photography www.courtneywhitehurstphotography.zenfolio.com

Cute ring shot on a pumpkin stem | by Bill Fraser Through The Lens Studio www.ttlsphoto.com

Sweet little shot of the wedding rings on the turtles necks of a trinket box | by Jenz Pix www.psquarestudios.com

2. Have Fun with Backgrounds

The requisite bridal party group shot typically includes a lot of “oohs,” “ahhs” and funny faces. Amp up the action with Photoshop {or just the regular real-life photo} to create a personalized and memorable photograph – because nothing says “best day of my life” quite like a Tyrannosaurus Rex or AT-AT from Star Wars chasing the bridal party. And, don't forget about the bridal portraits too being unique.

Unexpected characters joining the bride and groom and their wedding attendants | by Bill Fraser Through The Lens Studio www.ttlsphoto.com

Unexpected wandering horses behind the bride | by Courtney Whitehurst Photography www.courtneywhitehurstphotography.zenfolio.com

3. Bring the Generations Together

Celebrate the love that came before you by incorporating your family’s wedded bliss into your photography. A group shot of you, your mother and grandmother is always a keepsake, but you can up the sentimental value by taking a picture of three generations of wedding rings or holding photographs of your parents on their wedding day.

Bright and colorful generation wedding photo | by VeroLuce Photography www.verolucephotography.com

4. Capture the Landscape

Couples are always on the lookout for that one photograph that will be the centerpiece of their home. A dramatic landscape shot allows your photographer to capture the natural beauty of your wedding location, while still capturing the sheer happiness of you and your new spouse on the big day - neither of which you’ll want to forget.

Beautiful photo of the bride and groom among the trees | by VeroLuce Photography www.verolucephotography.com

5. Change Your Perspective

To capture your wedding day from an entirely new perspective, ask your photographer to go “above" and beyond and take aerial shots of important moments, like the first dance, cake cutting or the entire wedding ceremony setup.