How to get the most from your wedding photography

One of the most significant investments you will make for your wedding day is your wedding photography and videography.  And you need to be happy with the results.  So to help you we’ve put together this practical guide. It includes tips and tricks that we’ve learnt over the years that will help you create the best day and best environment for gorgeous, creative, memorable photography and video.

First.  Still looking?  Just remember … good isn’t cheap and cheap isn’t often good!

There is a huge range of photographers for you to choose from, all varying in style and price, however, the fact remains is that you get what you pay for. After all, good isn’t cheap, and cheap definitely isn’t good!

If a photographer seems to be giving you a too-good-to-be-true deal, ask yourself why? The experience and quality that comes with a premium photographer will make them worth more than every penny.

Make the time to properly look at your potential photographer’s work (ask to see existing full galleries of recent weddings) and make sure you love everything they do before you book them. But just remember, you really do get what you pay for!

Find photographers and videographers who work in a similar way

If you’re going for a separate photographer and videographer, try and find people who have a similar style. It is really important that the two can work alongside each other rather than competing for positions and getting in each other’s way.

From a photographer’s perspective, it is exceedingly difficult to avoid videographers who use large tripods from being in the background of shots. There are lots of videographers who work with handheld cameras, similar to those of photographers, which allows us to work around each other and prevents us from, most of the time, being in each other’s shots!

Or just hire me.  I do both!!! ;o)  Check out more videos here.

Getting the best wedding photos – how to get the most from your wedding photography

Questionnaire

I often get asked how will I know where to be and what’s going on.  So don’t stress.  Approx 6 weeks before your BigDay, I’ll send you a questionnaire so you can confirm all the main details.  This will also include portraits you’d like, timings, who the key people are, special arrangements etc.  

The Checklist

At all weddings, there is this the list of firsts.. the ‘I do’ moment,  the ‘first kiss’, the first dance…  I’m not going to miss those!  But if there’s anything else that is a must to capture that you have specially planned or out of the ordinary, ensure your photographer knows your schedule and your priorities.

Permission

What!… I need Permission? 

Yes, you may need to check when and where you can take photographs!!

Some religious venues do not permit photographers/videographers and this may be something to consider when selecting your venue. So ask your Vicar/Priest, Registrar or Celebrant, Venue if you have photographic permissions throughout the entire ceremony or if there are any restrictions to be followed before the big day to avoid any last-minute disappointment. 

The Aisle

Don’t run down the aisle!  And –  allow a good amount of space between your bridal party and yourself so that they don’t obscure your big entrance!

Unplugged Weddings

The latest and most welcome trend (in my opinion) to hit ‘weddings’ is to unplug. This involves asking all your guests to leave their smartphones and cameras at home or at least to hold off from using them during certain parts of the day. 

This allows your guests to fully enjoy their day without any distractions. And most importantly – the moment you walk down the aisle, that all important photo – the focus will be on you and not on all the people leaning into the aisle to get “that” shot for their own Instafeed.  

It’s important that the photographer can just get on with their job without obstructions and ultimately means that those key moments, those special moments are not missed….no guests should be blocking the photographer’s views by trying to get their photos. 

“Magic Moments”

The aim for great photographers is not to miss those special moments but you may still need to help them out a little. Little things like spending a few extra seconds on that special first kiss will help but also put the effort in…kiss’em as you mean it!! It’s ‘gonna’ get photographed..so go for it. So whilst your photographer will be a little Ninja, hiding behind a pillar or pew…give them a little bit longer to army roll into position and catch that moment for prosperity!  In fact – you know what works best?  TWO KISSES – yep – go for two.  Your friends and family will applaud  you too!

Confetti photos

The confetti shot always makes an amazing wedding photograph, often full of fun and emotion of not just yourself, but your guests too.  I often get asked how to get THAT epic confetti shot.  

Firstly – don’t rely on guests to remember to bring confetti…add it yourself to your shopping list, you can buy large quantities from online stores but do buy the biodegradable kind as most churches and certain venues won’t allow anything but.  You cannot beat a confetti cannon.  And larger confetti or petals is best – check out: https://properconfetti.com/.

Morning Prep

When you are doing your hair and make-up, it’s always best to be positioned in front of a window, in natural light, rather than in a dark, cramped corner with poor lighting.  You’ll look so much better!  Want a lush shot of the dress?  I’m not the sort of photographer who will take your dress on a walk to the trees – perhaps hang it somewhere beautiful or in front of a window and it will feature in so many photos that way.  And strategically place rings, invites, letters, vows out too so I might be able to include them in a storytelling shot.

Timing it right!!

Make your schedule realistic….add spare time into your plan and make a realistic plan for your day.

So many people simply forget about the time between the Church and venues but remember everything just takes longer on the day! Factor in extra time within your day, this will take the pressure off the day and reassure you that everything will get done without having to compromise. 

Also, please, please please build in some time to spend with your loved ones! So many times I hear couples say that they didn’t have time to spend with their close family and friends so plan that into your timings. 

Make time for the post ceremony emotions

Enjoy that post ceremony emotion – all your guests will want to shower you with love and hugs to make sure you allow time for this.  And do you know what – these moments make for the most not-to-be missed, beautiful photographs.  Where possible make sure there’s time between your ceremony and wedding breakfast that allows ample time for congratulations, milling about and the all important portraits.  

Getting the best wedding photos – how to get the most from your wedding photography

Looking their best….Speeches before wedding breakfast?

Consider the best man. Consider your dad who is not comfortable with making speeches..well  actually..is terrified. Consider all those having to make a speech and perhaps plan for these to happen before the meal. Also, consider the state of the tables. They will of course look loads better in the photos all prepped and ready to go and not with the inevitable wine spillages, fallen glasses and scraped plates. 

So let the photographer capture photos whilst everything is at its best..have speeches before the Wedding breakfast!

Oh and please, please, please don’t separate your speeches between courses.  Guests, venues and your photographer will not thank you for that.  It slows down the breakfast and there’s more chance of guests and photographers missing them.

Don’t hide your face behind your bouquet.

PLEASE don’t put your bouquet in front of you on the top table – I can’t see your face during speeches!  And when you’re walking down the aisle – remember, belly not boobs – hold your bouquet down so we can see your face.

Quick Group Photos – Get a wrangler!!

If you would like some group portraits (which I would recommend even if it’s just for your future children’s family tree project!) –  you may want someone [reliable} to gather up those people. 

Try and keep your number of formal photographs to a minimum, each image can take around three minutes eating into valuable time.

I suggest giving one or two people the job of wrangler…someone who will corral guests for photos.  This should be someone who knows everyone, or as many people as possible, consider having one person for each side of the family perhaps.

Do not feed the animals but definitely feed the photographer

Although not a requirement, it’s always appreciated by your photographer if you offer them food. Quite often, your venue will not serve food to the public leaving the photographer with no choice other than to eat a cold sandwich or even leave your wedding in search of food. Thus risking missing that image you just know they would have captured had they just been there!

I normally bring a sandwich and granola bars for the earlier part of the day, but to see me through the party, a warm plate of something would be so lovely.

Couple Portraits

I normally suggest a 15-20 min slot before the wedding breakfast or during “golden hour” (the hour before sundown).   Portraits are a great time for the two of you to sneak away and spend a quiet moment together.

I also find that the excitement of the day really shows on your faces: it’s a beautiful time to capture you at your natural, happy, most connected and loved-up selves — with minimum posing required!

Go with the flow. Don’t stress about the dress!

You’ve spent months searching and trying on loads of wedding dresses…to find the perfect wedding dress and let’s be honest for many brides, it’s probably the most planned aspect of your day, not to mention probably costing a small fortune but the reality is..the major reality is ….is that the dress is going to get dirty whether just slightly dirty from walking on the carpet to very dirty. Accept this…and don’t let this put you off. Don’t let this stop you from going outside…going into a field. 

Photographers can hide a multitude of sins with a little editing magic resulting in your dress looking as good as new in all of your photographs. So go with the flow and don’t spend your day stressing over it.

Getting the best wedding photos – how to get the most from your wedding photography

Bring something old

If you’re outside and it’s cold, it can get a little uncomfortable for portrait photographs, make things more comfortable for yourself and bring a warm jacket or throw to wrap around you in between shots to keep you warm. 

Also bring an old spare pair of shoes, trainers or wellies. Your photographer may drag you into a field or a location for that perfect shot so have those spare pairs on hand and don’t worry, no one will ever see them under all that dress!

Couldn’t bare the thought of something old – then beautiful botanical print wellies from hunter boots would be perfect.

Face the light

If possible, try to ensure you are facing the largest light source, which is usually a window but try and avoid having your back towards it. Depending on your venue, this might not always be possible but natural light is the most flattering on you and will ensure your photographs are the best they can be.  I’m mostly referring to the top table here.  So often venues put the top table against the window.  Which means you are in the shade during the speeches and everyone else in the room is in the best light.  I’m still not sure why venues do this – but if you can persuade them otherwise – please do so you look fabulous when you’re all emotional or laughing your head off.

Lighting

Lighting is everything when it comes to the evening photos. Speak with your venue / band / dj regarding options:

spotlights or hanging festoon lights is great; positioning of festoon lights, fairy lights and candles to create a cosy atmosphere, particularly around your nearest and dearest, creating gorgeous, atmospheric evening images.

multi-coloured ‘disco’ lights will affect the colour of skin tones. So if you don’t want magenta or turquoise skin in your ‘first dance’ photos, it’s worth saving these for later.

Let’s Dance

The first dance can be nerve-racking but we kindly ask you to fight the urge to invite your guests to get on the dance floor too early. Give the me time to capture this special moment..with just the two of you on the dance floor.  Also, I will have plenty of opportunities to capture you having fun with your guests later so enjoy this moment.  Oh – and just go for it.  Twirl, dip, snog – make your first dance photos epic!

Getting the best wedding photos – how to get the most from your wedding photography

Want epic dance floor shots?

If you’re on the dance floor – everyone else will follow.  If your photographer has a set number of hours they will cover, you don’t want to leave all your best moves til midnight as they won’t be there to capture them.  So get on there, get your guests on there and strut your fine stuff.  Check out this wedding for some awesome post COVID celebrations.

Be up for it!

Whether it be battling the weather for a dramatic shot or hopping over a fence to get to an interesting location…go for it…be brave, the resulting images will always be worth it! 

Trust your photographer

So you’ve spent hours looking for the perfect photographer (me hopefully!), trawling through websites, reading reviews and recommendations but ultimately you’ve booked a photographer who gets you, whom you gel with..a photographer whose work you just love!

So trust their judgement! Sometimes ideas or things they ask you to do may seem a little off the wall but trust them, they know what they’re doing, they know what works and if they know you, they’ll capture pictures that reflect you at your best. 

Get involved!

But at the end of the day, your wedding day is your wedding day..not a photoshoot. A great photographer will be able to get amazing images for you in a very short window of time, but you’ve got to take part. 

Yes, it is important to get lots of photographs of you both as well as your family and friends enjoying the day but it’s equally as important to enjoy your special day. So relax!!

Let a large part of the day be natural photography, capturing the moments you lived through, but also the moments you didn’t even realise had happened, the good, the bad, the tears and the laughter and everything in between. A great photographer will capture all of this for you.

Time to sparkle

I love a sparkler shot.  To look it’s best it needs to be during blue hour or when it’s dark.  For maximum effect, supply guests with giant (18 inch-ish) sparklers for maximum ‘sparkle’. Coordinating the lighting of the sparklers is an ‘interesting’ challenge, but usually managed with a good number of lighters to get things going and then using lit sparklers to light others.  You don’t need everyone!  About 20-30 people is plenty to put-on a good sparkler show! So don’t worry about rallying everyone (leave the drunker ones inside!)

Getting the best wedding photos – how to get the most from your wedding photography

Remember, this is a guide..a simple guide to help you get the most from your photographs and help your photographer to help you. Don’t try and do too much and have fun, you’re only going to do this once!

Have any more questions?  Let’s chat.  I’m available Monday – Wednesday evenings for zoom calls or during the week when I’m not shooting, Tuesday-Friday 9-3pm.

I can’t wait to hear from you.  Happy wedding planning.