33 Tips For Taking Beautiful Bridal Portraits

"I will never ask a bride to trek through mud or run into the ocean (though some have requested it during wedding sessions, and I happily obliged). However, getting lovely photos sometimes means getting that hem a little dirty for the sake of a timeless image. This bridal portrait is a great example of what a photographer can achieve when fear of the dress getting dirty isn't dominating the session," Thomas says.

Gowns can be spot-cleaned easily at bridal boutiques. Some photographers have the bride stand on a sheet; however, Thomas doesn't personally recommend it since she finds that it impedes creativity and affects the quality of the images.