How to get the most out of your wedding photographer

While I don’t think this is my number 1, it is sure up there. I always help make/review a wedding day schedule to make sure we get the most out of our day. Falling behind with your schedule may result in how many images you may receive. Delays are be stressful and won’t be very fun. Something always happens on your day that we have to rearrange for and it’s ok! If you allot additional time creating the schedule for your day, you’ll be in a much better place when the unforeseen happens. Hair and Make-up usually consume more time than planned so I always try to remind brides of this just in case. Late bridal party members, late flowers, someone forgetting something, etc can all cause the schedule to come to a pause. We plan for it.

No worries, though. Allow extra time for all of these and if we end up not needing it, then you have more time to relax!

The First Look | It’s Awesome

I love first looks because of the intimacy it give the couples before the craziness of the rest of the day happens. First looks happen in quieter areas with only you two, and the photographers. It always provides a great moment between the couple.

I wrote another blog about my love for first looks here!

Begin Early | You can always add time later, but you can’t get it back.

This sort of sounds like a repeat of number one but it really isn’t. So many times we have see couples getting ready later and later and we just aren’t able to get all the shots we need. Prepare for the unexpected by allowing yourself extra time for your wedding day. The earlier that you are dressed and ready to go, the more photographs can be taken. There is a serious difference in the amount of photographs that you’ll receive between couples who begin photos early and those who schedule with just a minimum amount of time.

Include a Secondary Photographer

There is a reason a second photographer is part of every package I offer for weddings. It’s a very large task to document such a large event of your life on one person. Not saying it can’t be done, but it’s worth it to have extra help. Aside from the additional photos you’ll receive, the second shooter can act as your main shooter assistant. Forgot the veil in the room? Need someone to hold your train? Second shooter is where it’s at. They save us so much time on your wedding day.

Please Trust Us

Weddings are a once in a lifetime event. We know you want to keep your dress pristine and your makeup from draining down your face, but we also know you’ll regret not getting that magnificent shot you’ll keep for a lifetime, just because of something small. Don’t let temporary things prevent you from photographs that will be with you forever. Keep an open mind and trust that your photographer is doing everything in your best interests to provide you with creative and interesting images. Your photographer may ask you to walk in a field, sit on a road, run around down town, etc. Communicate to him or her if you simply do not wish to have those photographs, but if the reason you do not want to go to a location is because temporary reasons, relax. Lifting these apprehensions will help greatly in getting the most out of your wedding photography.

Choose a Great Location 

Selecting your location of the wedding is one of the most important steps in your day. A good photographer can work in any situation but there is a great advantage to selecting a beautiful location that fits your style. This is another great reason to get started. A good photographer can scout locations in advance if you give them enough time.

Have an Engagement Session

Another reason we include an engagement session in all our packages is to not only document your story, but to also let us bond with you both. It helps us see how you interact with each other and the camera. It will also be considered like a practice day for you both. You’ll get used to the idea of being photographed so it’ll seem less scary the day of.

Even if it’s a destination wedding or you don’t want your engagement session done, it’s still a great idea to meet up for some coffee so you can all get to know each other before your day. Meeting up to talk about the schedule of your day is a great idea as well.

Get a DJ

Besides playing music, your DJ is responsible for keeping your guests happy, and making sure the reception schedule stays on time. Couples usually spend tons of money on the reception decoration and food and forget about a DJ. A good DJ will provide you with the best return on your reception investments. How does this affect the photographer? The more people are happy and dancing, the more photos you will get. I’ve been at receptions for an additional 2 hours where there were only 10 people dancing on the floor and I kept shooting them because it’s all that was going on. Get a good DJ.

Laugh

Seems like a duh add on but it really needs to be repeated and chanted throughout the day. Schedules get messed with, make up runs down the face, one of the groomsmen wears blue instead purple like he was told not to do a million times and it can be a headache. Keeping it lighthearted will help. It’ll help your mood and it’ll improve your photos. I have to remind people when they walk down the aisle to smile because so many are focused on not tripping, they get a scowl on their face without knowing it and I can’t use it in any albums.