The Secret to Epic Groom’s Getting Ready Photos: The Barbershop Ritual

There is a very specific energy that builds up on the morning of a wedding. It is a mix of quiet anticipation, nervous excitement, and butterflies that you just can’t shake. As documentary photographers, this is exactly where we thrive. We love capturing the unscripted stories and small rituals that naturally unfold before the ceremony.

But when it comes to the morning timeline, there is a massive double standard: groom’s getting ready photos are often treated as an afterthought.

Flipping the Traditional Script

The traditional wedding morning usually looks like this: the bride spends hours with a professional hair and makeup team, popping champagne, and creating memories with her wedding party. The guys, on the other hand, shower, throw on a suit in fifteen minutes, and sit around waiting for the day to start.

After 15 years of documenting weddings, we are officially calling for a change. Your morning deserves a better story.

We recently photographed a groom who completely flipped the script. Instead of pacing around a messy hotel room, he booked out a local barbershop for himself and his groomsmen. It wasn’t just about getting a quick trim or a hot towel shave—it was about creating an intentional, relaxed experience to start the day.

Why an Activity Creates the Best Photos

If you want truly epic groom getting ready pictures, you need an environment where you and your friends can just hang out and be yourselves. Here is why the barbershop approach works so perfectly for our documentary style:

It creates genuine moments: When guys have an activity to focus on—like sitting in a barber chair or pouring a round of drinks—they completely forget the camera is in the room. There is no stiff posing, just real laughs and authentic camaraderie.
It sets the tone for the day: Taking 30 minutes to get a fresh fade and relax with your best friends honors the significance of the day. It shows that you care about looking and feeling your absolute best before seeing your partner.
The aesthetics are incredible: Barbershops inherently have great character, mirrors, and moody lighting, which translates into cinematic, high-end photography.

Upgrade Your Wedding Morning

If the bride has a dedicated glam squad, why shouldn’t the groom have a professional edge, too?

Whether it is a trip to a local barber, playing a quick round of pool, or sharing a high-end bottle of whiskey on a patio, giving the guys a dedicated space to relax is the ultimate key to better groom prep photos. Put a little effort into the morning experience, take a shot with your best friends, and head to the venue feeling completely grounded.

We’ll be right there to document exactly how it felt.

Barbershop: Reflections Barbershop