by Wedding couple outdoor photography gives you those moments that we as a photographer crave for, you know those heartfelt moments between two people in love amid stunning landscapes. There is something just so magical about these moments!
As a professional photographer or couple planning an outdoor wedding couples photography session, I believe that you already know how crucial it is to freeze these moments in time and create timeless memories.
In this article, I’m going to share my favourite tips and outdoor couple wedding photography ideas for making your photography truly stand out and something that you can be proud of.
We are going to combine inspiration with practical advice and explore everything from picturesque locations to all the creative couples poses and even the seasonal inspirations.
So without wasting any further time let’s dive into these beautiful and stunning ways to capture the essence of your special day!
Scenic Locations For Wedding Couple Outdoor Photography
Location gives life to your photograph and a scenic location plays a very important and huge role in creating stunning outdoor wedding couple photography.
Now for a second close your eyes and imagine capturing Jassaswani and Manish’s love story on a secluded beach at sunset – the soft sand, the gentle waves, and the golden light make for an ethereal atmosphere. Well this is exactly what I did for them in Visakhapatnam (Vizag).
Similarly a lush forests with large and towering trees can add a fairytale-like vibe to a couple’s wedding photos while serene mountains offer you breathtaking backdrops that highlight nature’s grandeur – Location makes all the difference!
When selecting a location always think about what complements your couple’s style and wedding theme. Are they planning to have a rustic wedding in a charming field with wildflowers and greenery or is it more like a sophisticated ceremony on a cliffside overlooking the ocean?
Not only this, but you must also pay close attention to the personality and preference that your couple’s have. We decided to go for a beach shoot because Manish is an Indian Navy Officer and the wedding was a luxury beach side wedding. So going to the beach made perfect sense.
You can get an understanding of how to communicate and understand your client better by reading my blog on traditional wedding photography.
Some more things to take care of
- Lighting: This one goes without any question. For getting great photos, timing is crucial. For instance shooting during the golden hour—right after sunrise or just before sunset—can create soft, flattering light that adds warmth to your photos.
- Scout the Location: Before you take your couples to thelocation, you must visit the location at different times to understand how the light changes and to identify the best spots for photos.
- Prepare for Weather: While shooting Jassawani and Manish’s outdoor wedding at the beach side, I made sure to keep an eye on the weather and adjust our plans to get the best shots despite changing conditions.
So if you want to give your best at an outdoor wedding couples photography then choosing a scenic location that resonates with the couple’s love story is key. By finding a spot that combines their style with natural beauty, you can do your job at its best and create a memorable experience that they’ll treasure forever.
Poses and Candid Moment
Finding the right mix of poses and candid moments during a wedding couple outdoor photography session will help you capture the couple’s love and connection, creating pictures that’ll leave them in awe.
For instance, in my earlier days when I worked as an assistant photographer I was shooting a wedding for Riddhi and Rohit, I saw how Freddy (my mentor at the time) guided them into natural poses like:
- Leaning into each other’s arms,
- Sharing a quiet moment under a tree looking at the sunset and
- Looking at each other with the sun acting as a backlight and it came out to be a great silhouette shot.
This way they felt comfortable and genuine which ultimately resulted into beautiful photos.
But I also believe that while creative poses can highlight the couple’s bond they can not replace candid moments. Candid moments often go to tell the most authentic stories.
I always try to capture those unguarded instances when a couple laughs together, shares a tender glance or walks holding each other’s hands.
During my shoot with Jassaswani and Manish by the ocean, I encouraged them to take a stroll and simply enjoy each other’s company. What came of it? Well some incredible shots of them laughing and smiling naturally. Some of the best pictures I took for them.
To achieve authentic-looking poses I do the following:
- I gently direct couples without over-instructing.
- Let them be themselves, and
- Watch for those subtle interactions that reveal their true emotions.
By balancing posed and candid moments I try to create a collection of photos that is diverse and memorable and truly captures the essence of their special day.
Incorporating Natural Elements
What good an outdoor wedding couples photography session is if you don’t incorporate natural elements in your photos. Well to be very honest this is one of my most favourite aspects of doing wedding couple outdoor photography sessions. It just gives so many possibilities.
Natural elements like flowers, trees, water bodies, and even the sky can add depth and beauty to your shots. For example, if you are shooting at a lakeside wedding, you can easily make use of the shimmering water as a backdrop to create dreamy, romantic images.
Just try to put your brain at work and think! Think about utilising these elements creatively and let the creative genius inside you take control.
If used correctly, these elements can even enhance your storytelling and create harmonious compositions.
A few things you can do is think about all the different ways a tree can frame your couple, or maybe you are in a field of wildflowers and you can bring a soft, romantic touch to your photos by framing and posing your couples a certain way.
For one more example, let’s say you are in a vineyard with vibrant green vines creating a natural aisle. Well you can ask the couple to walk through the aisle and I am pretty sure you will get some magical photos out of it.
Not only this but the surrounding environment also offers a rich palette of colours to play with. You can add vibrancy and depth to your images using the warm tones of autumn leave or the bright greens of spring – Your imagination is the limit.
Here’s a quick overview of how nature’s elements can elevate your photos:
| Element | How to Incorporate |
| Flowers | Use them as accents in the background or foreground. |
| Trees | Frame the couple, providing a natural arch or canopy. |
| Water Bodies | Reflect light and colours, creating dreamy effects. |
| Sky | Use different times of day for varied lighting. |
By embracing the natural beauty of your surroundings and having an eye for details. I believe that you can easily create captivating photos that will justify all your hardwork and dedication.
Props and Accessories
You want a personalised touch to your wedding couple outdoor photographer session – Bring Props and accessories. It’s as simple as that.
Having vintage cars, bicycles, or even an old-fashioned umbrella can infuse a sense of nostalgia or whimsy. You can bring colours and smoke bombs to create some joyful and happy photos.
I always keep the overall ambiance of the outdoor setting in my mind when I am selecting the props to use at the shoot. I try to look for items that are in alignment with the couple’s style and wedding theme so that the photos have a feeling of cohesiveness.
Once, I used a rustic wooden sign at a farm wedding to match the down-to-earth and village side vibe of the event.
Meaningful accessories such as hats, sunglasses, or jackets can add character without overwhelming the couple and can be subtly integrated into the photos which will create a touch of personality that truly reflects the couple’s journey together.
Here’s a quick look at incorporating props and accessories:
| Type | How to Use |
| Vintage Props | Add a timeless or nostalgic feel to your photos. |
| Signs | Personalise the couple’s names or dates. |
| Meaningful Items | Use accessories that resonate with the couple. |
Choose and incorporate your props and accessories carefully and you will create unique, personalised photos for your couple.
Flash and Stick Light
I feel that we all can agree that lighting can make or break a picture, so why just depend on natural light? I mean yeah they are the best but we don’t have any control over them, do we?
Therefore, incorporating flash and stick lights into your wedding couple outdoor photography shoot can greatly enhance your control over lighting and improve the quality of your images. With these by your side, you can manage challenging conditions such as harsh sunlight or dim light as the day progresses.
Using flash outdoors will help you fill in the shadows and bring out details in your subjects.
- Flash Tips: Adjust the intensity of your flash to provide just the right amount of light without overpowering the natural ambiance. Use a diffuser to soften the light for a more natural appearance.
On the other hand, stick lights offer a versatile lighting solution that can be easily positioned and manipulated to create soft, diffused lighting.
- Stick Light Tip: Do not go cheap on them. Buy a good RGB Stick Light like the one I use Kodak S2500 or the industry standard Godox LC500R. Having RGB will open up a lot of new possibilities for you.
- Stick Light Techniques: Use them to highlight specific features or to create creative lighting effects. Experiment with positioning to find the most flattering and artistic angles.
By having a flash and stick light at your disposal in your outdoor couple shoot, you can capture stunning, well-lit images that stand out. Practice and experimentation will help you master these tools which in turn will allow you to create unforgettable memories for the couples you photograph.
Seasonal Inspiration: Summer vs Winter Weddings
Each season comes with unique opportunities and challenges for wedding couple outdoor photography. Summer weddings have vibrant and lush backdrops with an abundance of colours as well as light.
At summer weddings shooting during golden hour can enhance the warmth of the images but at the same time harsh midday sunlight will pose challenges, so I always recommend that if you do decide to shoot during midday then seek shade or use reflectors.
- Summer Tips: Use the season’s bright colours like sunflowers or lavender fields and add depth and vibrancy to your pictures. Always keep a diffuser with you to soften harsh sunlight or capture couples by the water for a refreshing and romantic effect.
On the other hand, during winters, weddings can turn out to be truly magical. The different topography of our country leaves us with so many possibilities. Some parts of the country get covered in snow, some parts have cherry blossoms, some parts are just cold in general.
These settings are perfect for creating dreamy and ethereal images. With the lower angle of the sun even the light is softer, providing a natural and flattering glow.
Incorporating these settings into wedding photos is an art form in itself. For example, during a winter shoot in Kashmir with Gareema and Neeraj in a snowy forest, we captured their love story against a backdrop of tall, bare trees and white snow. This created an enchanting atmosphere but I also had to ensure they were comfortable in the cold.
Editing Techniques for Stunning Results
Well here we are again. “Post Production Magic” is what I like to call my edits. Trust me when I say this “Post-production editing can elevate your outdoor wedding couple photography to the next level”.
The cropping and framing, the adjustment of the exposure, the enhanced colours, the fine-tuning, the colour grading – they give your photos life.
I often start with cropping and framing to get the frame right if I got the shot a little off by chance. Then before diving into colour or retouching, I first bring the photo to right exposure.
For enhancing colours I like to use masking – I don’t want my couple’s face to get all orange but yes I do want to have an orange sky for my sunset shots. I keep the retouching to a minimum and subtle. The goal is to enhance the couple’s natural beauty without altering their appearance too much.
Then comes the fun part – Grading. Grade your photos for the mood that you are going for and boom. You went from a photo that was 3-4 at max to a photo that’s 9-10.
I recommend all photographers whether you are just starting out or experienced, to use Adobe Lightroom. It offers a powerful and user-friendly editing option and also has a range of presets to experiment with different styles.
The Art of Storytelling Through Photographs
Storytelling in photographs is what will transform your ordinary wedding couple’s outdoor photography to something extraordinary. Wondering how you can do it? Well by carefully framing shots and creative choices. Yes, it’s as simple as that.
For instance, capturing the bride and groom walking down a road hand in hand can evoke a sense of their shared adventure.
- Focus on Emotions: Emotions = Story. Always, look for those genuine moments when the couple’s love and connection shine through whether it’s during a quiet embrace or a spontaneous laugh.
- Unique Perspectives: You must always experiment with different angles (High angle, low angle, face level, etc) and compositions to tell a story from multiple perspectives. This adds a lot of depth to your visual narrative.
By trying to focus on creating a unique love story for the couple and not just doing the standard poses, you will create a more intimate and personalised experience for your couple (you can justify your higher charges this way)
During a shoot with one of my couples – Aakash and Vandita. I let them roam freely in a park while keeping my camera ready. This approach resulted in candid moments of joy and tenderness. Telling a beautiful story through images.
To get a better understanding about storytelling in photography you can read any book from my list of best photography books.
Conclusion
What I feel is that outdoor wedding couple photography is all about capturing the genuine moments and emotions that make a couple’s special day unforgettable and by utilising stunning natural backdrops, creative poses, and thoughtful storytelling, we as photographers can create images that reflect the couple’s unique love story and personality.
We must always embrace the challenges and opportunities that each season presents and make the most of props and accessories to add personal touches to our work.
Above all, focusing on genuine moments and emotions to capture the true essence of the couple’s journey together is what we should thrive for.
By mastering these techniques, I am sure that you’ll create a collection of timeless, memorable photos that the couple will cherish for a lifetime.
I’ll see you sometime soon in the next article, until then capture the world one frame at a time.
If you are interested in checking out my work you can do so by visiting my website’s homepage – mihirsoni.in.
Peace out.
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