Wedding photographers are blessed with the task to capture you and your other half on the one day when you get to commit the rest of your adventures to one another while surrounded and supported by the wonderful loved ones who have been purposefully placed in your lives. After shooting weddings for the past four years, I have made what I call my little “discoveries” – major and minor details that clients may not have thought of that will positively impact the ease of your day.
- Plan your photo locations ahead of time. Many photographers prefer to check out the getting-ready, ceremony, reception, and additional photo locations prior to the big day so they have time to plan in advance. We love old buildings, alleys, bridges, fields, trees, fences,…the list goes on. And we will be thrilled to tell you more!
- Cushion your itinerary. Allot extra time to compensate for travel and potential lateness. If everything goes as planned, you’ll just have extra time for shooting. And that’s never a bad thing
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- Talk with your photographer about lighting. Photography is the art of light. Wedding photography involves all sorts of lighting situations – dark rooms, bright fields, shaded woods, candlelit ceremonies, and the like. It is our job as photographers to manipulate ambient light or to use lighting equipment to add light, and we may want to discuss the lighting scenarios ahead of time so we arrive with a tentative setup on the day of.
- Camera craze during the ceremony. Politely inform your guests not to hold their cell phones, iPads, and cameras in the center aisle. I personally do not mind if there are other people taking photos – they are just having fun! If someone gets in the way of a split second shot during the ceremony, however, there’s nothing a photographer can do. So, a little reminder is the perfect way to avoid those situations.
- Ask the person performing the ceremony to step aside during the kiss. Eliminate pastor/officiant-head-behind-couple’s-first-kiss-after-tying-the-knot shots. You’ll thank me later.
- Consider your backdrops. If your head table has a white wall behind it, try jazzing it up with some decor. On a budget? Make decorations by hand. Let your creativity flow and have fun with it! It is truly amazing what tulle and bulb string lights can do for a photograph.
- Allow natural moments to happen. Pinterest is a wonderful tool for photographers, planners, foodies, fashionistas, and the like, and it can help photographers get an idea of the style of images clients lean towards (more serious, goofy, traditional, the list goes on). However, I’ve personally found that my favorite wedding photos are the ones that capture natural and raw moments. Have fun with your bridal party and let your personality shine through the photographer’s poses.
- Seat your photographer(s) close to your head table. If the guests ding the glasses or shake the bells, photographers will bolt up to the head table (or use a telephoto lens to zoom) to capture the big kisses and other fun moments. If we are seated relatively close and centered to the head table, we will have the prime angle. We don’t need to sit with the family, just preferably not in the back corner of the room behind the DJ with no view – although we won’t spend a great deal of time sitting anyway.
- If it works with your schedule, let your photographer steal you away at the golden hour. The hour after sunrise or before sunset, when the sun is not hidden away by clouds, is called the “golden hour”. Light during these times is extremely flattering. Breathtaking silhouette and sun flare shots can be taken at this time. I always have a little party in my brain when I get to take these shots. A golden hour bride and groom shoot is also a great opportunity to have a peaceful retreat from the crowd and enjoy a moment with your love. Example below:
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- Take a deep breath. Weddings can be stressful; there’s no doubt about that. Remember when the day comes that you’ve already done all the hard parts! Regardless of any unfortunate weather or lateness, keep the purpose of your big day in mind. Your wedding will be magnificent and memorable despite any circumstance. Not because everything went just as planned, but because it was your wedding day. A celebration and a declaration of eternal togetherness and commitment.
