TLM Photography Studios: Links

The professional photographers at TLM Photography Studios want you to look great! Here are some tips to make sure you are picture perfect on your wedding day!

Smile! However, you don’t want the “stiff” look. Try to remember something funny such as a joke or a funny moment you and your significant other.

No Double-Chins Be sure to stand tall and hold your head up high (though try not to look as though you are bird watching!). An easy way to stand straight and tall naturally is to take a deep breath and carry your body up with the inhale.

No Shadows Be sure you are not looking into direct sunlight. The sun will shadow your face making your nose appear bigger and your eyes smaller. Also make sure your hair is out of your eyes. Tuck any stray hairs behind your ears or up into your veil.

Avoid Awkward A good way to avoid awkward is to show some action. Hug your Mom, Kiss your Dad, laugh, spin, curtsey, anything!! Just show some action!

No Blinking To avoid blinking shut your eyes quickly before the photo is taken and then open them. Your Photographer can give you a 1-2-3 count to let you know when to open them. Do NOT open your eyes wider to compensate for a possible blink. This will give you a creased forehead and if you don’t blink overly big eyes.

Good Side vs. Bad Side Most people have a “good” side and a “bad” side. For obvious reasons, make sure you point your good side to the camera as much as possible. Your Photographer can work with you to arrange portraits correctly to accommodate “good” sides.

Body Posture Point your body at a forty-five degree angle towards the camera. Then turn your head to face the lens directly. Point the foot closest to the camera directly toward it and point the other foot parallel to it. You don’t want your head and body to face the camera straight on. Fashion models use this “45 degree” stance to help them look longer in the leg and trimmer in the waist, hips, and thighs.

Tanning A spring wedding and you’ve been hibernating all winter. You don’t want to be the same color as your dress so you decide to hit the tanning salon. If you are fair skinned or burn easily, you should start your tanning session at least one month in advance and plan on at least 10 to 15 sessions, spaced every other day.

Nails If you have short nails or bite your nails and would like long nails for your wedding day, there are a couple of options. Products such as NailTek and Nailtiques take a few weeks to grow nails out substantially so try to schedule use or manicures four or five weeks in advance to give your nails time to grow. There is often no charge for the use of these products.

No time to grow out your nails, acrylics are a great way to make short, bitten nails look elegant quickly. Plan on having acrylics put on a couple of days before the wedding so you can adjust to the length. Go for a sporty length so you don’t look vampy. You manicurist should provide a quick polish touch up on the day before or the day of your wedding if you need her to.

When choosing your polish, French or American Manicures are the most natural looking. If you don’t like either of those styles, choose a neutral nail polish in puff or pale pink so your hands won’t detract from your wedding gown.

Teeth

For a whiter smile, switch to a whitening toothpaste or try an over-the-counter whitening program. You can also make an appointment with your dentist for professional whitening.
For the illusion of whiter teeth in your photos, dab a bit of vaseline on your teeth to keep them lipstick free. This will also help your teeth and lips from drying out during all those smiles!
Hold your chin up to the light during pictures.
Beware of too-dark lipstick to avoid vampy looks in black-and-white photos.
When choosing a lipstick color, remember the most flattering shades are ones that bear some resemblance to your natural lips: nudes, roses, and soft browns.
Coffee, tea, tobacco, and red wine cause teeth staining. Try to avoid in the weeks leading up to your wedding.

Skin and Make-Up

If there are major skin imperfection issues that you want to address (acne, scars, or dark spots) consider booking an appointment with a dermatologist at least six months before your wedding.
Swear off sun worshipping, drink plenty of water, and find time to add some relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation.
When stress levels rise, so does your level of blemish-inducing cortisol so take the time to relax, for your skin, and for your sanity!
Don’t try a new salon facial or at-home mask a few days before the wedding. Your skin may develop an unsightly reaction to the products or treatments.
Know your everyday make-up style. Your wedding day is not a time to try something trendy.
Plan your makeup as if you were going to a black-tie affair, even if you are having a day-time wedding.
The bride’s make-up should be natural, perhaps a little darker around the eyes.
Avoid “glamming” if the gown and hair are simple. Makeup should correspond with the overall look.
Matte finishes stay put longer and will photograph better. Glittery and pearlized finishes can interfere with camera flash.
Ask someone to carry a powder compact for you. Flash photography can make you look shiny.

Hair

The bride’s hair should complement the gown and headpiece. Be sure to try several hair styles a few months beforehand to get an idea of how you want your hair styled for your wedding.
Consult a professional if you’d like to try a new color, cut, or want to grow out your hair for an updo. Start experimenting approximately five months beforehand.
When wearing your hair up, take it easy and don’t pin hair (or headpieces) too tightly. Many brides complain of achy scalps.
If you regularly color, perm, or treat your hair, have the final process done at least two weeks before the wedding. The same for the final trim. This allows time for hair to regrow or to be fixed in case something goes wrong with the treatment or cut.
Experts recommend NOT washing your hair if you’re having an updo. Hair is more easily styled when it has a slight build up.
When using professional hair and make-up stylists, schedule consultations three to four months before your wedding day for advice and several trial runs.