5 Tips On How To Crush Your Wedding Photos
Ok here are my top five tips for how you can really help make your wedding photographs great.
Tell us what is most important to you
In one sense I really do try to be a mind reader, I think one of the most important skills a photographer can have is the ability to anticipate what is going to happen next so they can be ready for something great. That skill aside when it comes to what moments you’ve been dreaming of since you were a little girl or photos you’ve had pinned for years and want as a part of your collection I do need your help.
We always try to have a phone call or face-to-face meeting with our couples shortly before the wedding and we try to go over anything and everything that they want to communicate about their wishes and we try every time to make sure those things happen. Just a side note we don’t guarantee any specific photo only because weddings are live events and we can’t predict what will and will not be possible but we really do try to get 100% of your vision.
Bottom line, it’s better to over-communicate, especially before the wedding so your photographer is ready to make your vision happen.
2. Give yourself the gift of having enough time
Portrait photography is the primary part of your day that will always get squeezed if you’re running short on time so build in a cushion so that little delays never really affect what we’re able to capture. It’s not that we need hours of time just for photography but if you only have 10 minutes it will limit where we can go and how many variations we can get.
You want time for things to happen at a comfortable pace, if you over-schedule it can feel like the day is just a long checklist of to-dos jumping from one thing to the next. Make sure there is time for getting from place to place, breathing, sitting, drinking water and just hanging out, especially in the time right before you walk down the aisle. You want time with your parents, to get hugs from your bridesmaids, and a second to breathe.
Run your schedule by your photographer as early as you can so they can give feedback on ideas for how to make the best use of the time that day. Often for example there are moments when we can make use of a little pocket of time to get evening portraits during the reception. We also know how to pace the group portraits to make sure you have the downtime you need before the ceremony.
3. Be real, let your emotions show, and trust us to capture you in a beautiful way
You know that there are going to be some private moments on your wedding day when it gets a little emotional and I want you to let us be a part of that. If you can give us your trust we take those times very seriously because that emotion is the result of love that you have with the people closest to you. Family is at the center of what makes us wedding photographers and these moments are at the heart of your family. Documenting those moments is so important because it will give you the feels for your husband/dad/mom/sister/brother etc. every time you view that image even decades from now. In the end, 10,20,30 years from now it will be the images you can tell stories about that will be the most important to you.
4. Let go of worry and allow us to guide/pose you
I know this one is hard, you’ve got so much invested in getting the visuals just right.. the perfect dress/hair/makeup etc. and it’s hard not to stress. The thing is that if you allow us to guide you without setting any anxiousness away you’re images will feel more organic and you’ll have much better memories of making them. Again if you trust us we will look after you, and keep you/dress safe and gorgeous throughout the process because we really care about giving you the best day possible. Lean on your photographer to get you through the various portraits and trust they have your back while also executing their vision.
5. Spend time with the ones you love most
We can’t photograph what we don’t see so make sure you spend time with the people you love most on your wedding day.
Have Dad with you right before you go down the aisle
Have mom/sisters with you to get dressed
Take a portrait with your siblings
Get your mom out on the dance floor
Make sure your husband is with you, a lot, at the reception
You get the idea, don’t let the crazy of the day keep you from being with the ones you love, keep them close and we’ll be with you to document it.
