Allow me to congratulate you on your engagement! If you are planning a wedding right now, you are in an exciting time in your life. As a previous bride myself, I know planning for your big day can feel overwhelming and stressful at times. I promise it will all be worth it, because you a preparing for one of the happiest days in your life.
What are you planning to do for your photography? You will need to hire an awesome photographer to help you remember all the special moments, and tell the story of your wedding day. It’s important to find a photographer who will take care of you, capture amazing photos, and is someone you can connect with. To help you with this, I have put together a list of the best tips to help you with your wedding photography.
1. Remember to SMILE:
This goes without saying, but you would be surprised how many people forget to smile. After all, this will be one of the happiest times in your life. It’s totally normal to feel nervous and/or anxious. I encourage you to enjoy the moment because, time goes by so fast. If you forget don’t worry, I will remind you!
2. Communicate with your photographer:
If you have special requests on types of photos you want, share those ideas with your photographer. Create your top five list of must-have photos, and allow your photographer to include some ideas as well. I create a unique photo list for my couples, that includes combinations of family and group photo ideas. This list helps us keep track of all the important photos you want. However, not every detail has to be outline because your photographer will be capturing things as they happen also.
3. Have a day-of timeline:
One of the most important things to have, is a rock-solid timeline. This helps ensure you and your photographer are on the same page. Your wedding coordinator may be putting a timeline together for you as well. Share this with your photographer to ensure enough time is scheduled to complete photos. I provide a day-of wedding photography timeline for all my couples, outlining the important details and recommended times to take photos.
4. Here is a list of photo ideas, I like to capture:
• Getting ready photos of the couple; bride getting into her dress, groom buttoning up jacket, etc.
• Photos of the venue and candid shots of friends and family before the ceremony
• Detail/close-up photos of the rings, flowers, decor, shoes, dress, suit, cuff links, tie, and any other important items.
• A first look - Haven’t heard of a first look? A first look is a private moment between the couple before the ceremony, when I capture the couple’s reaction to seeing each other for the first time. It’s a great opportunity to get in a few more photos of the couple together. This is optional, you may skip the first look if you want to wait to see each at the ceremony, for the first time.
• The ceremony from start to finish
• Ring exchange, vow exchange, and unity ceremony (if applicable)
• The couple’s first kiss, announcement, and exiting the ceremony
• Traditional family, and wedding party photos (plus, a few fun ones!)
• Romantic photos of the couple together
• The couple entering the reception with formal announcement
• Photos of the decor, and set up of the reception hall
• Candid photos of your guest having fun and enjoying themselves
• The cake(s) and fun photos of you feeding each other
• Toasts and speeches
• First dance, group dancing, bouquet toss, garter toss
• Gorgeous sunset photo of the couple (weather permitting)
• Couple’s final exit / send-off from the venue
• The couple waving goodbye from a get-away vehicle
These are a few ideas to get started. I love to collaborate with my couples on different ideas for photos. I’m sure you will have a few ideas of your own and would love to hear more about what you have planned. What is your vision for your wedding day?
5. Order an album and some works of art for your home:
You would be surprised how many couples received their photos, then do nothing with them! Hours of hard work and energy are put into crafting your big day. I encourage you to pick a few of your favorite photos, have them printed and framed for your home. I have my own personal wedding photos displayed in my home, and seeing them around our house brings me joy. Not only do I take beautiful photos, I also design custom wedding albums. Click here to see samples.
In Conclusion:
The most important things to look for in a wedding photographer is: the ability to listen, be flexible to your needs, and be adaptable in any situation (while taking amazing photos, of course!). With a rock-solid timeline, good communication and a great relationship with your photographer - your wedding will run smoothly so you can relax and enjoy yourself!
You need to hire a photographer that will go above and beyond for you. When you hire me, not only are you getting a wedding photographer, you are getting a best friend and lifetime photographer. I listen to my couples and I genuinely care about them. If you are looking for an AWESOME photographer, click here to request a quote!
