The Photographer and What he Sees in the Wedding Mirrors

The bride at the hairdresser as her hair is straightened, seen in profile in a mirror by the wedding photographer in Lisbon, Portugal..

WHAT TEAM by THE LISBON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

The bride at the hairdresser as her hair is straightened, seen in profile in a mirror by the wedding photographer in Lisbon, Portugal..

Wedding day photos of the bride being styled through mirrors


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Mirrors and the Wedding Photographer: Reflections That Tell Stories

In a mirror, the bride seen from the front with the hands of the hairdresser combing her hair.

The wedding photographer has a special attraction to mirrors. It’s not just a matter of aesthetics or technique. It goes deeper, almost instinctual. On the wedding day, when everything is about to happen and the couple is preparing for one of the most important moments of their lives, mirrors become unexpected allies. For the wedding photographer, they are gateways to new perspectives, to angles invisible to the naked eye.

The wedding photographer’s fascination with mirrors

The bride smiles, photographed through a mirror as she is having her hair done.

Photographing with mirrors is like playing with reality. It’s capturing both what’s in front of the lens and what hides in the reflection. And on the wedding day, reflections are everywhere: the bride adjusting her dress, the groom fixing his tie, a guest wiping a tear. The wedding photographer lives to find these details and turn them into unforgettable wedding photographs.

Mirrors and multiple points of view

  • A single mirror can offer multiple frames.
  • They allow the bride, groom, and wedding guests to appear in the same composition.
  • They give depth and context to wedding photographs.
  • They enrich the visual narrative without the need for staging.

On creative mirror use:

  • Why mirrors are essential in wedding photography:
    • They offer unique, unexpected compositions.
    • They reveal subtle emotions happening off-centre.
    • They create contrast between reality and reflection.
  • Examples of mirror-enhanced moments:
    • Bride putting on earrings with her reflection in the background.
    • Groom smiling, visible only through the mirror.
    • A family hug captured in a corner of the frame.

The photographer, time, and commitment to the couple

With a round mirror in her hand, the bride checks her makeup.

Despite the passion for mirrors, the wedding photographer never forgets their main mission: to serve the couple and ensure every moment is respected and documented. Being on time, anticipating events, and staying ready are non-negotiable.

The connection between the photographer, their camera, and mirrors is almost emotional. But it doesn’t compromise professionalism — it enhances the outcome.

The technique behind the beauty

Detail of the bride's necklace, a porcelain walnut with a ruby.

Working with mirrors requires more than a visual eye. The wedding photographer must have technical knowledge and artistic sensitivity. Mirrors can complicate light, introduce unwanted reflections, and distort shapes. But, when well used, they elevate wedding photography.

  • Choose the right angle to avoid flash glare.
  • Control depth of field to highlight the subject.
  • Use the right lenses to avoid distortion.

For photographers and the curious:

Bride's face in a mirror, already at home, when her sister retouches her make-up.
  • Precautions when photographing with mirrors:
    • Always check what appears in the reflection.
    • Make sure the photographer and gear are not visible.
    • Adjust exposure to balance direct and reflected light.
  • What mirrors add to wedding photographs:
    • Surprise and depth.
    • Parallel narratives within one image.
    • Subtle, original emotional moments.

Mirrors, the couple, and emotional connection

The bride's sister paints her lips, seen in profile by the wedding photographer in Portugal.

It’s natural for the wedding photographer to develop a personal bond with mirrors. Over time, they become partners. Where others see only decoration, the photographer sees artistic potential. And the couple, even if unaware at the moment, will appreciate it later — when they see how a simple reflection captured something so real on their wedding day.

Sitting facing each other, the sister of the bride retouches her lip paint before dressing for the ceremony.

Conclusion:

Mirrors are more than reflective surfaces. They are creative tools, allies of the wedding photographer in capturing truthful, sensitive, and memorable images. At every wedding, there are moments only a mirror can reveal. And it’s up to the photographer to have the eye and the passion to capture them.


Get in touch

On your wedding day, I’ll be watching every reflection, every mirror, every opportunity to eternalise something special. As a wedding photographer, I won’t let a single detail escape — especially those only mirrors can show. Contact me to talk about your story.


  • You can see a full wedding story:

By Fernando Colaço

I am Fernando Colaço a wedding photographer based in Portugal. My approach to wedding photography is open and not intruder, leaving the event just to happen. We may call it photojournalism. But, it is better to let the photos talk. I am at your service.

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