How to Make the Most of Your Wedding Photos
A good wedding photographer is worth their weight in gold, but can also be a big part of your budget. Want to get your money’s worth AND photos you’ll love? Follow my top ten tips -
1. Pick the right photographer for you
It might sound obvious but not all wedding photographers are alike, and just because your cousin ‘knows a good one’, it doesn’t mean they’re good for you. Deciding what sort of look you want before choosing a photographer is vital. Is the day very formal? Fun and relaxed? Sunny and outdoors? Gothic and moody? Once you’ve decided on that you can peruse portfolios knowing the sort of style you’re looking for.
2. Meet your photographer
It is vital that you meet your photographer before committing to them! They are going to be a big part of your special day so it’s important that you get a good vibe from them. Just liking their photos isn’t enough. You don’t want a super sombre and serious person at your fun garden wedding and conversely you don’t want Mr. Novelty Tie showing up at your super formal affair.
3. Get the Details Down
Once you have chosen a photographer that you’re happy with, it’s important to sit down and thrash out the details. Obviously they’ll need to know logistics but if you have any specific photography requests (special items or details, specific people that might be leaving early etc) then this is the time to let them know. If you are able to meet them at the wedding venue then all the better as you can all get an idea for the best shooting locations together. If you’re having a church wedding this would also be the time to ask about any restrictions they may have on where the photographer can stand. You don’t want these sorts of surprises on the day!
Now on to the big day itself:
4. Shoot the group photos ASAP
This is a big one that a lot of couples don’t consider, but once the formal part of your day is concluded your guests will start to wander - it’s human nature, especially if there’s a bar to be visited. Get your formal and group shots done as soon as you can. Start with the largest group and whittle down from there so you can send your guests off to the reception and having fun ASAP.
5. Give the best man a list
Before the day, give your best man (or similar person of responsibility) the list of your formal photos and ask them to be crowd wrangler on the day. Your photographer will have enough on their plate getting the best shot to know if Auntie Sarah is present or not.
6. Don’t be ‘Uncle Bob’!
‘Uncle Bob’ is a term wedding photographers use to describe that relative who can’t wait to get up and start snapping away at every given opportunity - every wedding has one! By all means encourage your family and friends to take photos of the special day, but please make your personal Uncle Bob aware that you have paid a lot of money for your photographer to do this properly, and you just want everyone to enjoy themselves. If Bob is standing in their way, or letting off the flash every two seconds, then they can’t do their job properly. This is especially true at the end of the ceremony!
7. Get away for some private shots (and some alone time)
So you’re officially married, all of the formal shots are done, and all of your wedding guests are excitedly heading off to start celebrating properly. Now is the time for the two of you to get away. Sounds counterintuitive but is vital for two very good reasons - firstly some of the loveliest photos I’ve ever taken of a newly married couple are during this part. It’s a moment of calm to bathe in the love and excitement of having just done one of the most exciting and nerve wracking moments of your life. Secondly, once I’m done snapping, I usually advise the couple to take ten or fifteen minutes to themselves while I head off to the reception. You won’t get this chance again on the day so enjoy it.
8. No one likes photos of people eating
I have been approached in the past and asked why I’m not taking more photos of the wedding breakfast. The truth is that no one looks good while they’re eating. Sure I might catch some lovely informal shots in between courses, but while there is food in front of your guests I tend to put the camera away (and hopefully get a little food myself!)
9. Don’t freeze up!
This is a tip for every guest at a wedding. If the photographer is wandering around the crowd capturing the day and they haven’t asked you to pose, just carry on as if they’re not there. So many people spot a photographer and freeze, or force an awkward smile. If you want to pose or do something silly then go ahead otherwise just ignore them. Without fail the photos I get the most compliments on are the ones that people didn’t know were being taken.
10. Trust your photographer to do their thing
If you’ve followed tips 1 through 3 on my list then you should, at this stage, be happy that you’ve found the best photographer for you. If that’s the case then when the day comes just let them do their thing. You’ll have enough to think about without having to manage anyone else. Don’t worry, they know what they’re doing!
If you think I’d be a good fit for your wedding then drop me a line and tell me your ideas for your big day:.