Bridal sessions have quickly become one of my favorite types of sessions that I offer! I absolutely love that my brides get to dress up in their dresses, test out their wedding day makeup and hairstyles, and we get to create some beautiful portraits! When Morgan asked me if we could do a bridal session prior to her wedding day at her venue, The Lake House, I of course jumped at the opportunity! I was so excited to see what style of dress Morgan had chosen and to finally see their gorgeous venue!

Ever since I got into wedding photography, I’ve always been told that the very most stressful part of the day would be family formal portraits. I think that is simply because, from a couple’s perspective, you’re trying to round up family members and hope everyone cooperates, and as a photographer, you’re trying to photograph a whole group of people that you’ve mostly never met before and are trying to keep them happy before they head to the reception! It can definitely be a little stressful, but if both the couple and photographer prepare, it really can go more smoothly than expected!

Here are 5 tips that I’ve learned through the years and shooting weddings that help make family formal portraits run smoothly!

Mason proposed to Holly at the South Holston Dam in Bristol, so it was only fitting that we go there for their engagement session! We met up in March for their session, just a few months prior to their wedding day in May. Even though Spring had just started, the trees hadn’t yet decided to wake up from their winter slumber and give us any leaves. The winter sun still gave us such a beautiful, glowy, sunset that we watched from the top of the dam!

Coco and Sam were married on one of the most beautiful Summer days at one of my favorite venues in East Tennessee, The Waterstone! It might have been slightly warm and humid, but at least we made it through without any rain— and I’ll take that! They had originally planned to get married the first week of June, but like many couples, had to reschedule to late July thanks to the Covid pandemic and state regulations. Thankfully, orders lifted little by little and along with precautions, we were all able to gather and celebrate their amazing day!

They may have had a change of plans, but Ryan and Rachel didn’t let Covid-19 stop them from getting married. In the safety of their family’s home, these two said their vows in the backyard surrounded by just their parents and their two best friends. Other family members attended virtually through Zoom to congratulate them after officially becoming husband and wife! Rachel and Ryan both could NOT contain their smiles and just radiated happiness all day!

Kayla and Aaron were married on a beautiful Spring day in April at the Millstone! The week prior had been pretty chilly, for Winter kept lingering and bringing us colder temperatures. Luckily, the sun came out and warmed us all on their wedding day! After lunch, Kayla put on her gorgeous, ivory and lace, Maggie Sottero gown and was ready for the first look. We then headed out to the lawn to meet Aaron, where she would see her husband-to-be for the first time. The two said, "I do," and kissed as husband and wife under the branch arbor! We then headed to the reception for delicious barbecue and cake to celebrate the newlyweds!