Professional Insights: Getting the Best Wedding Day Photos
You just got engaged! Woohoo! Now cue the sudden landslide of ideas, choices, expectations, and every emotion in between. The process can feel like a blissful overwhelm, or it can just feel like a major burden. After photographing almost 100 weddings, here are a few points that always ring true, even if they break tradition or step on some toes!
Planning an Experience and Setting Priorities
The choices made, big or small, should always reflect what feels true to you. Plan an experience, not a shot list. Pinterest is great for inspiration, but your wedding isn’t a styled shoot – it’s real life. Instead of only waiting until the hustle and bustle gets started to see each other, you’re already connected, grounded, and soaking in the joy of what’s ahead. The best part of the day will always be the two of you – so starting the day side by side sets the tone for everything that follows. Spend in a way that reflects your priorities and brings joy, not in a way that checks boxes for someone else’s expectations.
Here’s the truth: most wedding favors end up forgotten on tables or tossed into a drawer. Unless you’re gifting chocolate or sending guests’ home with a keepsake photo, let this tradition go. Budget for something more meaningful – like an incredible meal, a late-night snack bar, or a champagne tower.
Essential Tips for the Getting Ready Space
As a wedding photographer, one of the more frequently overlooked parts of a wedding day is the getting ready time. In truth, this time is crucial to telling the full story of your wedding day and can result in documenting some really sweet and meaningful memories with your closest friends and family members. Consider the following when setting the scene:
- Ensure there are plenty of windows: Choose a getting ready space with at least one big window for lots of natural light — the natural light will provide soft, even, flattering lighting.
- Reserve a space free of clutter: Try to keep a space free of unwanted clutter (water bottles, bras, makeup, shoes, hairspray, etc.) so that when your photographer arrives they don’t have to clean your entire space.
- Collect all of your details ahead of time: Have all details (your gown, veil, jewelry, perfume, invitations, etc.) collected ahead of time to pass along to your photographer as soon as they arrive.
- Keep all three rings for flat lay photos: It’s actually better to pass them off later so that the rings can be included in the larger flat lay and details shots.
- Finish hair and makeup: Make sure everyone’s hair and makeup is finished by the time photos begin.
Mastering Camera Settings and Equipment
Understanding and mastering your camera settings is essential for capturing high-quality wedding photos. Ensure you’re comfortable adjusting ISO, shutter speed, and aperture on the fly, as lighting conditions can change rapidly throughout the day.
| Focus Area | Essential Photography Tips |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Utilize natural light whenever possible, especially during the golden hour for beautifully lit portraits. |
| Low-light | Consider using off-camera flash or a higher ISO setting to ensure clear, bright images. |
| Equipment | Choose a reliable DSLR or mirrorless camera body and carry a variety of lenses. |
| Lenses | Use a wide-angle lens for grand scenes and a prime lens for intimate, close-up shots. |
Techniques for Posing and Authenticity
It’s important that you just do what comes naturally without questioning yourselves because it’s the little imperfections that make it better! Relax into every pose; you don’t want a death grip on each other. Movements can be super small like swaying, running your fingers down your partner’s arm, or caressing their hair.
Rule #1: lean into the camera, not away from it. Sunset photos are my favorite–everything looks the most epic, dynamic and romantic with that golden light! Also, remember to capture authentic moments: while posed photos are important, some of the most cherished wedding photos are those that capture genuine, candid moments.
Managing Logistics and Large Groups
Doing wedding photos with family and larger groups can take much longer than you might expect. Getting a group to migrate and gather then directing them in wedding photo poses requires strategy. Communication is key: be very clear about where they need to be at what time. Leave flexibility in the wedding timeline just in case anything runs more slowly than expected so that the rest of the wedding timeline events can go smoothly.
Finally, this might be the most important piece of advice: hire a planner. A wedding planner or day-of coordinator doesn’t just keep the train running on time – they free you and loved ones up to enjoy the day. Trust us on this one – it’s worth every penny.