We know how incredibly special your wedding day is, and we’re dedicated to capturing it beautifully so you can relive those precious moments through your photos and albums. Our process ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for you. However, there are a few things you can do to help us do an even better job. These are friendly tips for your wedding photographer; you don’t have to follow them, but we’ll be delighted if they help make your day a bit easier.
Getting ready
It’s all in the details. Bring us your announcements, envelopes, perfume, rings, garter, shoes, and other special items to create beautiful flatlay photos that capture the essence of your wedding. If possible, choose a bright, clutter-free space for makeup and dressing. If that’s not feasible, we can move to a more suitable room after your makeup is done to capture you getting into your dress.
We may ask your loved ones to help you get into the dress, shoes, etc. This usually creates beautiful and emotional moments.
Do things slow
When nerves kick in, it’s easy to rush through moments without fully experiencing them. That’s why we advise our clients before their wedding day to take it slow and savor every moment of the ceremony. The first kiss, for instance, happens in the blink of an eye and can be challenging to capture perfectly. Take a moment to think about it, approach it slowly, and be in the moment. Enjoy it to the fullest!
Moments to consider slowing down:
- Walking the aisle
- Exchanging rings
- First kiss
- Formal exit
Don’t stress & enjoy the moment
Here’s the essential advice for you: The more you stress, the less you’ll be able to fully experience your special moments. After months of preparation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lose track of time on your wedding day. Remember, this day is yours to enjoy to the fullest. If something doesn’t go as planned or if you can’t keep everything perfectly on schedule, don’t let it spoil your day.
Try to limit phone usage during the ceremony
In today’s mobile age, we all have our phones constantly in hand, eager to capture the best moments. However, we kindly suggest that guests refrain from using their phones during the ceremony. From the photographer’s perspective, pictures often show guests looking into their phones rather than fully present in the moment. Encourage your guests to enjoy the ceremony to the fullest and await the professional photos from us afterward.
If having a behind-the-scenes video is important to you, consider assigning a select one or two people to capture it for you. This way, you can still cherish those candid moments without distractions during the main event.
Explain to guests to give space to your main photographer
Do you have a photographer among your family or friends? We kindly ask that they avoid interfering with our work as much as possible. For example not stepping in front of the camera while attempting to capture moments. As professionals ourselves, we understand the desire to capture every special moment. However, to ensure a smooth workflow, it’s crucial for everyone to trust us and allow us to do our job effectively. Your cooperation in this matter will help us create the best possible memories for you.
Assign a person to help with group shots
Do you have a big wedding? Group shots can sometimes become chaotic, with people scattered throughout the venue. If possible, please designate a reliable person (such as the groomsman, bridesmaid, and coordinator) who can assist us in gathering the people. This will help streamline the process and ensure we capture all the desired group shots efficiently.
Plan a relaxed schedule for your photos
Your wedding day will be bustling with activity, but with careful planning, you’ll have ample time for photos. It’s important to relax and enjoy your wedding photo session to capture the best moments. Ideally, we can schedule the photo session during the golden hour, but if that’s not possible, we’ll adjust it to fit your schedule. Allocate about 45 minutes for the session, plus some extra time to account for any unexpected circumstances.
planner & photographer coordination
Do you have a wedding coordinator? If so, please introduce us and share your schedule and details. Sometimes plans may not align perfectly for smooth photography, so we’d like the opportunity to communicate with the coordinator to resolve any potential issues.
Trust your photographer
We’re glad that you’ve chosen us to capture your special day. Building mutual trust is crucial for us to ensure a seamless experience. We’ve had the privilege of working with many couples, each with unique needs. Please trust our expertise in choosing locations, poses, and other elements. As photographers, we see composition, light, and details that might not be apparent to others. However, we welcome all your ideas and preferences, and we’re here to support your creative vision every step of the way. Your satisfaction and happiness are our top priorities.
Recap & Extra tips
- Try getting ready in well lit room with no clutter
- Don’t forget to bring your invitations for flat-lay photos
- Walk to the aisle slower than you planned
- The slow first kiss for the best capture
- The slow exchange of the rings
- Make sure the witnesses are not blocking the photographer’s view in the aisle
- Try to be in the moment as much as possible
- Try to limit guest’s phone usage during the ceremony
- Tell your family photographers and friends to take it easy
- Trust your photographer with creative direction
- As you enter the aisle, hold a flower at waist level, slightly leaning forward (it’s going to look amazing in photographs)
- Don’t forget to choose music for walking away from the aisle
- Consider stopping in the middle of your walk away from the aisle and sharing one more kiss
- Plan enough time for your couple’s photo session
- Be natural, don’t feel like you need to look perfect in pictures. Sincere emotions are the best ones. Be yourself and interact naturally with your guests and each other.
- Share a list of specific photos you want with us to make sure nothing is missed
- Designate a family member or friend to help gather people for group shots, saving time and reducing stress
- Ensure your planner and photographer are on the same page about the timeline and key moments
- Schedule a first look. This intimate moment before the ceremony can ease nerves and provide beautiful, emotional photos. If you don’t want to reveal yourself before the ceremony, you can try a first touch, which is an emotional moment when you hold your hands without seeing each other
