How to Incorporate Your Love Story into Wedding Photos
Celebrate your unique journey as a couple by weaving your love story into your wedding photography.
When I think about wedding photography, it’s more than just capturing the big day — it’s about telling a story. Your story. Every couple has a beautiful journey that deserves to be showcased. From the first coffee date to late-night road trips, these moments have shaped your bond. So, why not weave your love story into your wedding photos and create memories that feel genuinely “you”?
Here’s how I help couples in New Zealand create wedding photos that tell their unique love story.
1. Start with Your Story
Before the big day, I always encourage couples to sit down and reflect. How did you meet? What are the little things that make your relationship special? Perhaps you bonded over a love for surfing at Piha Beach or shared endless brunch dates in Wellington’s Cuba Street.
Knowing these details lets me craft a visual narrative that’s deeply personal. These insights help me suggest locations, props, and moments that genuinely reflect who you are as a couple.
2. Choose Meaningful Locations
Location is everything when it comes to storytelling. If you had your first date at a particular café or love hiking through the Waitākere Ranges, why not revisit that spot?
Incorporating meaningful places into your wedding photos adds layers of emotion. It’s not just about a pretty backdrop — it’s about capturing the essence of your journey together. Plus, it makes the experience even more memorable for you both.
3. Incorporate Personal Props
Props can subtly weave your love story into your wedding photos without feeling staged. Think about including items that have sentimental value:
- A vintage car you restored together
- Your dog that you adopted as a couple
- A picnic basket you always took on your weekend getaways
Personal touches like these make your wedding album feel less like a photoshoot and more like a heartfelt documentary of your relationship.
4. Tell Your Story Through Poses
While candid moments are golden, a few guided poses can help tell your story beautifully. I love encouraging couples to interact naturally — laughing, whispering secrets, or sharing a spontaneous dance. These moments showcase the genuine connection between you, which is the true heart of your love story.
Sometimes, recreating a special moment — like the proposal or a favourite travel memory — makes the photos even more powerful. It’s not about being overly posed; it’s about feeling comfortable enough to relive the magic.
5. Use Your Wedding Details
Your wedding day details are another way your story shines through. Custom signage, meaningful quotes, or a cake topper that reflects your hobbies can all be incorporated into the photos.
I always keep an eye out for these elements because they add to the visual narrative. It’s the little things — your grandmother’s locket, handwritten vows, or a bouquet featuring flowers from your first date — that make your wedding photos feel uniquely yours.
6. Capture the Candid Moments
Some of the most powerful storytelling happens in the in-between moments. The way you look at each other when you think no one’s watching. The laughter shared with your bridal party. The tears during the vows.
Being based in New Zealand, I’m lucky to photograph weddings where couples let their guard down and just be themselves. Those candid shots often end up being the most treasured because they capture the raw, unfiltered essence of your love story.
In a Nutshell
Your wedding day is a celebration of your personal journey together. By thoughtfully incorporating your love story into your wedding photos — through locations, props, poses, and candid moments — you can create an album that’s not just beautiful but meaningful. Every time you flip through your photos, you’ll be transported back to the moments that made your relationship extraordinary.
