During booking sessions with my couples, particularly when they are local, I frequently get asked about the value of a rock the dress session.
What is it?
In essence it’s a care-free, post-wedding, artistic portraits session. Historically we’ve been calling it a Trash the Dress session. Typically wedding dresses were wet, painted, muddied and even set on fire, all in the name of creating bold and innovative photography. As amazing as the results can be though, not every bride is willing to destroy their dress. So with that in mind, many photographers (myself included) these days prefer to talk about rock the dress sessions. They’re still about the dress and having fun, however they tend to be a little lighter on the torturing of the dress.
Why do it?
At the time of writing this I have plenty of time in my packages to include a portrait session of the couple on the day of the wedding, so why should you have a rock the dress session?
It’s actually pretty simple.
Grooms are generally more relaxed about these things but for the bride-to-be it’s usually a different story. As a bride-to-be just think about the timing of the couple’s session on the day of the wedding:
- you got up early to have your hair and make up done;
- you’ve hardly had anything to eat all day;
- you’re likely worrying about how the reception’s decoration turned out;
- you’re worrying that you have 200+ guests waiting for you at the reception;
- and chances are, your feet are killing you!
Of course you want artistic couple’s portraits on the day of the wedding and you’re surely going to have some gorgeous photos as a result of that session, however by that stage, as a bride you’re already pretty emotionally and physically exhausted.
Now imagine if you had all the time in the world (so to speak) to the session; Imagine being able to choose practically any time and place you like for it; Just imagine that all you have to worry about is having fun and being yourself.
That’s as simple as it is really. Essentially the point is for you to have fun. For you to have fun, show off your dress and get some awesome photos!
What should you expect?
When you decide to go for a rock the dress session, you should definitely expect to have the time of your life. You’ll have an awesome time and you’ll have amazing photos as result! Photos that convey they real you, for yourself and for generations to come! So is it worth doing? Definitely!
