Worried my dress won't photograph well

As much as it sucks, I would appreciate his honest feedback. He doesn't want to set you up for certain expectations and then be disappointed when you see the photos the first time. He's not saying that it won't look beautiful but he saying that you need to understand what the fabric does and that he can't make it look a specific way.

Satin definitely reflects light differently - it's part of the reason some people love it and some people prefer a more matte fabric. If you're worried about how you'll feel about it in photos, look up some pictures of "real brides" in satin; if they're in natural light, it's a lovely light sheen and even in dim indoor light, it's like a pretty candlelight glow.

Do you truly think it's the fabric worrying you or are you displacing your concerns about your body (you mentioned your hips) onto that issue? I think you look gorgeous and it does not make you look wide whatsoever; it accents the beautiful, natural curve that your body has.

Your dress is gorgeous! you will be beautiful. Don't stress :-)

Cell phone cameras usually are crappy quality. Pro photos really soften the lighting. Either way you look amazing so I wouldn't worry too much!!

Thanks everyone for your responses, they make me feel better! I do appreciate his honest feedback, I just wish it was better news I guess. I looked at his portfolio and saw brides in satin and they look just fine, so that eased some of my concerns. I'm definitely going to take the suggestion of looking at more "real brides" in satin too!

@cheval it could definitely be my body too. As I mentioned I want to lose 15-20 more lbs before the wedding, and I never envisioned myself in a fit and flare dress so that's taken some adjusting!

My mom told me she'll follow me around all day with a steamer if she has to, to make sure there's no wrinkles. LOL.

My dress doesn't look as good I feel in pictures too. Because the lace has all of this subtle shimmer that you can't see in the pictures on my phone. But I really think the high quality pictures from a photographer will look good. My phone just doesn't do it justice.

I think your dress is pretty and I really do think your pictures the day of will be so much better.

Fire your fucking photographer. He sucks. Satin is a tricky fabric- but if he can't make you feel good about your dress and his work- then fire his fucking ass.

My dress honestly was cheap poly satin- it was NOT good fabric. Guess what- I still looked fucking amazing.

You're photographer sucks rocks. sorry not sorry.

I like it, the photographers do this for a living, they will make you look great.

Sure, I appreciate your photographer's boldness about how he feels, but it was honestly the wrong thing to say. The pictures you sent him & showed to us have really horrible available light. I understand that your photographer is an available light photographer. I am also *mostly* an available light photographer. If he doesn't have the equipment to properly light the area, he shouldn't be photographing events that are quite dark or improperly lit for about 4 hours of the time.

We are here to capture your day as best as we possibly can. We are mental support and sometimes even friends with our brides. If a photographer can't calm your worries, or even say, "I will do the best I can and I am confident that you will love the outcome!" then they probably don't really know what they're doing...

Rant end.

You look stunning in your dress.

I think it's beautiful!

@Sarah Rose I am so glad a professional photographer weighed in! Your response is exactly what I was hoping I'd hear from him. We are having a 5pm ceremony in a church, and then our reception is 6:30-11:30 so yes it will be dark most of the time. I do feel confident in his ability (his pics are gorgeous) so I don't want to fire him, but I wanted to hear 'I'll do everything to make it look beautiful', not 'sorry, it'll look the same as an iPhone camera.'

It's beautiful and your smile is even moreso!

I think it looks great! I feel the same way about my dress too! I get all worried every time I look at it. But then I remember how I feel when I have it on, and my PROFESSIONAL photographer will know all the right angles and shots to make me look good.

@Laura Of course, I'm sure his work is amazing! I have no idea why he responded the way that he did. I've never heard a photographer say that their pictures are going to be like cell phone pictures. That's mind boggling. I can confidently say that I'm sure you will look beautiful and your dress will look beautiful, because you are and it is.

It doesn't matter how good he is- if he can't make you feel good about your dress and he doesn't know how to make satin look good it doesn't matter how pretty his pictures are.

He sucks.

Your dress is beautiful!! And I think it looks great in the low lighting pics you provided, so I don't think you'll have a problem with lighting and the dress in professional pics... I'm also wearing satin and have no worries. I've Googled satin wedding dress photography and personally like the way it reflects/shows in pics.

I emailed him back and said I appreciated his honesty and asked him to send me pictures of other brides he's photographed in satin (aside from what's on his website portfolio). I also "jokingly" said "I hope you're not telling me my iPhone pics will look the same as your professional ones, or I could be saving a lot of money!" I feel a lot better after reading all your responses!

Hi Laura! I just bought my dress and I'm feeling in the same boat you were. I'm worried about how the dress will look and photograph on the big day. Did you already have your ceremony? Do you have pictures of how it looked in professional photos? I have faith it will turn out well but proof that someone else's did would definitely ease my mind?