Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Those editorial, fashion-forward wedding photos so many couples love rarely happen by chance; they’re the result of thoughtful planning, strong collaboration, and a clear understanding of what makes moments translate beautifully on camera. Small decisions from lighting to timing, mood, and location can dramatically shape how your images look and feel. And for the imagery that feels worthy of its own magazine spread, they often strike a delicate balance between direction and candid moments, allowing real emotion to come through while still honoring your photographer's composition and style. Barcelona-based wedding photographer Marcos Sánchez knows what to prioritize ahead of time to help couples feel relaxed and prepared, which always shows in the final gallery. To help couples achieve this balance, he shared his seven essential secrets with us behind capturing modern, magazine-worthy wedding portraits.
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
It All Starts with
a Good Plan
Planning ahead will make all the difference when it comes to your wedding portraits. Mood is key, and portraits can’t be rushed. You want to have enough time to relax, get into the vibe, and enjoy the moment, so think about this when preparing your timeline. A minimum of 30 minutes is a good start, and one-hour would be ideal. This is the reason why doing a first look and having your portraits done before the ceremony is a great idea, because it’s easier to allocate more time for portraits at this moment. By getting ready a bit earlier, you won't have to spend any time away from your guests during cocktail hour. It’s a win-win!
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Good Light is a Treat
You’ve probably heard of golden hour, that time before sunset (and after sunrise) when sunlight is gorgeous: warm, with long, soft shadows. It really is the most beautiful light of the day and will have a big impact on the quality of the tones in your photos. However, sunset is probably not the best time to take an hour for portraits. You’ll be in the middle of the aperitif or dinner—something you don’t want to miss. What I advise all my couples is to sneak out for five minutes while guests are getting seated—or any moment like that when you’d be waiting—and take a quick couple of portraits with the best light of the day.
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
You Don't Need to Know
How to Pose
Every client I’ve had said the same thing: "I don’t know how to pose." That’s okay! It’s our job to guide you and help you navigate that time, and the thing is, it’s easier than you think. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the moment. Think of it this way: it’s the only time of the day when you two will be alone, so just enjoy this time together, let small moments happen, and follow along—the in-between moments are as photo-worthy as the cool, posed ones.
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Be Sure to Shoot
Different Locations
Your photographer will probably have scouted the venue beforehand, and by the time you start, they’ll have an idea of the locations they want to shoot at. For a beautiful set of portraits that tells a story, a few different locations will be ideal. No need to drive away, but walking around the venue to 3-4 selected spots will make the whole set way more appealing. Walking a bit also creates the space for natural, candid moments to happen, which are an incredible addition to those “posed” or more directed photos, adding balance to your album and also a moment for you both to relax.
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Don’t Bring an Entourage
As I mentioned, mood is key, and having someone come along might seem like a good idea, but most times than not, it's a vibe breaker. Having your mom come to fix your dress might turn a bit awkward when it comes to taking more romantic or intimate photos. So if you decide you need someone to come check you’re looking perfect (something your photographer will do, by the way), choose a friend who will be discreet and someone you’re comfortable with.
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Plan For When You
Have Energy
Planning your couple portraits right after the ceremony, because you want to be done with them, or right before dinner when you’re tired and just want to sit down and eat, might not be your best bet. In both cases, your energy is somewhere else. This is different for each couple. I’ve done great portraits in both settings; it’s just a way of thinking when you’d feel more relaxed and not be worrying about something else.
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Trust Your Photographer
Choose a photographer whose work you love, and trust they’ll do the same for you. Every photographer has their own way of taking wedding portraits. Talk to them and see how they will approach the session. It's also a good idea to share a vision board with your photographer so they know what sort of photos you vibe with the most—especially if you choose some of their own work. And then, let them do their thing. They’ve done this countless times before, and you chose them based on their experience, so when the big day comes, just enjoy and have fun!
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
Photography: Marcos Sánchez
