The Southern Bride’s Guide to Bridal Portraits: Part Two | How to Prepare for Your Bridal Portrait Session

Thanks for stopping by! I’m Kayce Clary, owner of Kayce Stork Photography. I have been a wedding photographer for over a decade and love to share helpful advice here on my blog for anyone planning their big day!

Last week, I shared a little about why bridal portraits are such a special Southern tradition and why I think they’re still so meaningful today. Now that you know the heart behind them, let’s talk about how to prepare for your session so you can feel completely confident, comfortable, and excited when the day arrives.

Bridal portraits are such a beautiful experience, and with a little planning, you’ll be able to enjoy every moment while creating timeless images you’ll love for years to come.

Choosing the Right Location

Your location helps set the tone for your entire session, so take a little time to think about what kind of look you want.

If your venue has beautiful natural light or an outdoor space you love, that can be a wonderful option. Some brides choose locations that feel sentimental, like a family home or a place that reminds them of where they grew up. Others love something elegant and romantic, like a historic property or garden.

Living here along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, we’re lucky to have so many beautiful spots! From oak-filled estates to the soft coastal light in Bay St. Louis or Ocean Springs. If you’re not sure where to go, I’m always happy to help you pick the perfect spot for your vision and gown.

Plan Ahead for Your Dress and Details

Schedule your session after your final dress alterations so it fits you perfectly. Bring your veil, shoes, jewelry, and bouquet if possible so you can see your full bridal look come together.

I always suggest bringing a small towel or sheet to place under your dress if we’re shooting outdoors, especially if you’ll be sitting or standing on grass. It helps keep everything clean and picture-ready.

It’s also nice to bring a family member or friend along. Having someone there to help carry your bouquet, fluff your dress, and keep you smiling makes the experience even more fun and relaxed.

Hair, Makeup, and Florals

Your bridal portraits are the perfect time to schedule your hair and makeup trial. You’ll be able to see how your look photographs, and it gives your stylist a chance to make any little adjustments before the wedding day.

Ask your florist for a smaller version of your bridal bouquet to use during your portraits. It ties everything together beautifully and adds that extra bit of polish to your images.

Timing and Lighting

The timing of your session is one of the most important parts of planning. The best light for portraits is usually early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sunlight is soft and golden.

Once we’ve chosen your location, I’ll help you decide what time will give us the prettiest light for the kind of portraits you’re dreaming of.

Relax and Enjoy It

Most importantly, remember that your bridal portraits are meant to be fun. This is your moment to celebrate everything leading up to your wedding day.

You’ve worked so hard to plan every detail, and this is the time to just enjoy being a bride. Take a breath, smile, and let yourself soak it all in. I’ll guide you through everything so you never have to worry about posing or what to do next.

The more relaxed and natural you feel, the more your bridal portraits will reflect your true joy and that’s what makes them timeless.

Next week, I’ll be sharing the final part of The Southern Bride’s Guide to Bridal Portraits, all about how to make the most of your session and what to do with your portraits afterward.

If you’re planning your own bridal session soon, I’d love to help you create portraits that tell your story and feel as classic as this beautiful Southern tradition.

Want to see more of these bridal portraits at Race and Religious in New Orleans?