Make sure you love your photographer.
I’m not talking about loving their work, I’m talking about loving their personality.
On your wedding day your photographer will be with you more than your maid of honor, more than your momma and even more than your groom.
They are with you in the hectic parts of the day when they have to tell the girls to chill because they see the look on your face. They are with you when you when no one else is sure how to button the dress.
When you can’t find where you laid down your flowers, or what you need to do next, they are there. They dictate most of your day, and their actions play a huge role of how that day goes.
They make sure the groomsmen behave and tell them not to not take that last shot before the ceremony. To hype them up and let them forget there’s a camera in their face and that taking pictures aren’t that bad.
They are also with you in the quiet moments when you’re alone and about to walk down the aisle to a new life. To hand you a tissue before you have time to ask. To give you that reassuring look that you’ve got this.
A camera in one hand and your veil in the other…
Most of the time you’ll end up with beautiful wedding photos regardless, but take my advice..
love your photographer.
Tips For Perfect Wedding Photos
1. Research, Research, Research…
As soon as you have booked a venue and your wedding date, start your search by hitting up the wedding fairs, browsing websites and blogs, and getting a feel for your favorite wedding photographers. Make sure to check out recent weddings and wedding albums from each wedding photographer to understand the different quality and styles.
2. Meet The Candidates
Personality is incredibly important when it comes to hiring a photographer, and it doesn’t matter how good their photos are if you don’t ‘click’, so make sure to meet them in person. Once you have a list of photographers whose photos you like arrange to meet them and discuss your needs. You end up spending as much time (if not more) with your photographer as you do with your other half on your wedding day, so you should definitely feel comfortable and get along with them. Remember they’ll be shadowing you both throughout your wedding day and working with all your guests.
3. What Do You Get For Your Money?
Make sure to check there are no ‘hidden extras’, and that the albums or photos they are showing you are actually what are included in the price they are giving you. Check for any additional costs or ‘upsales’ down the line. Make sure to check how many hours are included (bridal prep to first dance can vary massively depending upon your wedding day), as 8 hours is the standard for amply covering most weddings.
4. Testimonials
You should be checking online reviews and the testimonials on their website to make sure that the pictures are
a) of real couples this photographer has worked with
b) that the photographer has a good history of client satisfaction.
5. Sign a Contract
Once you’ve decided who will document the most cherished moments of your special day – make sure they offer a contract that outlines everything, including: the date, number of hours, number of shooters, wedding album details, and anything else discussed or paid for.
6. Schedule an Engagement Shoot
once you’ve hired someone you trust make sure to book your engagement session with them early. Engagement sessions are a great way to get comfortable with your photographer and learn tips and tricks on how to easily get wonderful photos.
7. Book a Timeline Consultation & Venue Walk-Around
Timeline Consultation & Venue-Walk-Around is vital for your wedding day, because everything will take longer than you think. From having make-up done and putting on your dress, everything takes twice the time. Meet with your photographer and wedding planner to set up a timeline for the day with a strict schedule that leaves extra time for any mishaps or overruns without cutting into your creative photography session.
Also, this is a good time to discuss the shot-lists and must-have family photos. Don’t waste time trying to get every last combo of grandparents, siblings and cousins. Stick to a few important shots, and speed up this part of your day by having your ushers prepare the people for each posed family grouping (that is the reason ‘ushers’ exist after all!).
8. Enjoy Yourselves!
Once you’ve chosen a photographer you both love and trust, do feel free to leave the worrying to them. If you’ve created a timeline with your photographer, let your photographer guide you and keep you on schedule. Don’t let the venue cut you short on time because they want to start the wedding breakfast early or, as has happened a few times, they try to force a surprise ‘receiving line’ or ‘grand entrance’ on you that you hadn’t wanted or planned for. Remember, solving these sorts of problems is why you hired a professional.