The perfect wedding portrait of the groom and the men's party

The groom and groomsmen portraits don't have to feel stiff. I keep them relaxed, real, and a little cinematic.

A few minutes, good light, and a natural rhythm is all it takes. Most grooms tell me beforehand that they're "not really a photo person" — and by the end of ten minutes with their guys, they've forgotten a camera is even out.

Less lineup, more energy

The classic straight-line lineup has its place for one quick frame, but it's not where the good photos live. I'd rather have the groomsmen doing something — walking together, razzing the groom about something, adjusting a tie for each other — and let the portrait happen inside that. It reads as a real moment instead of a posed one, and it photographs infinitely better in a suit.

Light first, jokes second

Practically, I'm always looking for the same two things: open shade or soft directional light, and a background that isn't fighting for attention — a brick wall downtown, a tree line, the side of a barn. Once that's set, I don't need much direction. A little humor goes a long way; the best groom portraits usually happen right after someone laughs, not during a held smile.

A little cinematic, always real

"Cinematic" for me doesn't mean over-produced — it means intentional light and a genuine moment, shot in a way that feels like a still from a film rather than a school photo. That's the same philosophy behind every part of the day, groomsmen included.

If your wedding is coming up and you want portraits of your guys that actually look like them, let's talk about your timeline — I'll help you find fifteen calm minutes for it, even on a packed wedding day.