This is our long list of wedding photography tips for our Brides & your wedding day. We will talk about our experiences with brides & different ways you can make your own wedding images the best they can be. You'd be surprised about the small things you can do to make the world of a difference in your wedding day photos.
Photography Tip #1: Hamming it up
Relax and have a good time on your wedding day. If you are nervous, your
images will show every bit of tension that you are harboring inside of you.
Don't let the nerves get to you. If you start feeling nervous or embarrassed
in front of the camera, run with it. Take that nervous energy and act silly
with your bridesmaids, your family, and your new hubby. That silliness will
enhance your images three-fold. Your close friends and family will appreciate
your ability to have fun and enjoy your special day as well.
Photography Tip #2: Treating your Album with
Respect
Wedding Photography Albums are one of the things that have changed the most
over the course of the years. Looking back not more than ten years ago,
wedding albums were made from individual 4x6 or 3x5 prints slid into a sleeved
acetate page or stuck onto a sticky album page. With the advance of digital
and book binding becoming more accessible and user friendly, traditional
wedding albums are taking a bound book format.
Here are some tips to make your Wedding Album last
as long as possible:
1. Turn the album pages with your finger tips, not with your fingernails.
2. Keep the album closed and lying flat when not in use.
3. Keep your album out of the direct sunlight.
4. Carefully wipe your album when cleaning using a soft, dry cloth.
Photography Tip #3: Benefits of the Engagement
Session
Having an engagement session is a serious thing to consider for a soon-to-be
bride & groom. It is a photo session that I highly recommend. There
are many benefits to having an engagement session with your wedding day
photographer. The most important benefit is the opportunity to get to know
your photographer and how they work. Getting to know your photographer's
work habits and ability to guide you into a natural, comfortable pose will
give you confidence on your wedding day. You also spend the time during
the engagement session getting used to being photographed in a professional
atmosphere. Being afraid of the camera is the last thing a bride or groom
should experience on their wedding day, and spending that time in front
of the camera before your wedding day will help you be more relaxed later.
Photography Tip #4: It's an Investment
It's important to remember when you are looking for a photographer that
you are not just paying for a package of photos. You are ultimately investing
in an experience which will provide you with a lifetime of tangible memories.
The only true memories that you will cherish later on in your life. The
worst thing that can happen is choosing a photographer for their price instead
of their experience and the style of their images. Quality does matter,
so make sure that you admire the work of your photographer. If you compromise
quality or style for price, there is a very high possibility you will regret
it in the future.
Photography Tip #5: Backup Gear
Backup gear is a necessary tool for your photographer to carry with them
on your wedding day. Not just extra lenses, but an extra camera body is
a must. All equipment is doomed to fail one day & your wedding day isn't
the prime date. If your photographer's camera fails, make sure they will
be able to continue photographing with backup equipment.
Photography Tip #6: Let it Rain
Planning an outdoor wedding? There is always a possibility of bad weather
with an outdoor wedding. Make sure you photographer will be able to handle
a bit of stormy clouds and wind. Ask to see examples of an outdoor wedding
they have photographed where the weather turned sour. Were they able to
create stunning imagery & do something creative out of the situation?
Or were the images flat and dull? Make sure the photographer can handle
it & that you like what they can do.
Photography Tip #7: Good Use of Lighting
Look for the light. A photographer with experience will show good use of
lighting in their sample images, even if all they used was a basic flash.
Make sure you look at the sample imagery and speak with your photographer
about what lighting they like to use. You can even speak with them about
their favorite way to use light, whether daylight or flash or both. There
are numerous tools and ways a photographer can light your wedding. Make
sure they know what they are doing & that they have the experience to
use their tools.
Photography Tip #8: Are You My Photographer?
"Are you my photographer?" is a good question to ask during your
consultation with your photo company. Many of the larger photo companies
use representatives or agents up until your wedding day. Your wedding day
is the first day you get to meet or speak with your photographer. It is
good to meet with the actual photographer at some point before your wedding
day. This will enable you to be a little more comfortable while they are
spending your special day with you & make sure they are the right person
for you.
Photography Tip #8: Are You My Photographer?
"Are you my photographer?" is a good question to ask during your
consultation with your photo company. Many of the larger photo companies
use representatives or agents up until your wedding day. Your wedding day
is the first day you get to meet or speak with your photographer. It is
good to meet with the actual photographer at some point before your wedding
day. This will enable you to be a little more comfortable while they are
spending your special day with you & make sure they are the right person
for you.
Photography Tip #10: Time of Day
Keep lighting in mind when choosing the time of day for your wedding and
your venue. If your wedding is outdoors, late afternoon is optimum. Just
be careful that the wedding will end at least 1.5-2 hours before the sky
is pitch black. You will want some time for a receiving line and portraits.
You would be surprised how fast sunset turns to night sky. If your wedding
is indoors, you may want to avoid buildings with few windows. Natural light
always looks the best in photos, so try to plan your wedding when the room
is at it's brightest.
Photography Tip #11: Bouquet Placement
Yes, flowers are a beautiful addition to a wedding and who wouldn't want
to include them, but what are you supposed to do with them? Whatever you
do, make sure you hold them down. You do not want your flowers blocking
your wedding dress. Consider the size of your bouquet also when you are
ordering your flowers. You do not want the bouquet to be too large or too
heavy! If you have a two foot cascading bouquet, that is two feet of self
you will be covering and probably ten pounds you will be carrying around
all day. It may look beautiful in that flower catalogue, but remember to
keep it manageable!
Photography Tip #12: Using Props
Using props in your portraits and wedding photos can give an extra creative
boost to your wedding album. Give your photographer something fun and inexpensive
to use when photographing. Popular items include umbrellas, Chinese fans,
flowers, bows, fabric, etc. These can be great things for detail shots or
small, fun things to include in your images. You can also make it personal
by using the first card your fiancée gave you for Valentines Day
or your First Anniversary. Be creative!
Photography Tip #13: Hair & Make-up
Experimenting with hair and makeup styles on your wedding day is a sure
fire way to stress yourself out. Be sure to schedule yourself a day with
your hair & makeup stylist to have a run through. Test different styles
with your beautician then. Practice placing your headband, barrette, clips,
or veil if you are using them. See what combinations look best and take
a photo with a point and shoot so you can replicate the look on your wedding
day. If you plan it right, your photographer may be available to take some
formals on this day too.
Photography Tip #14: Posing Know-How
With experience comes knowledge. Any photographer who has been photographing
people & weddings for a while should know how to pose you in an elegant
and attractive position. Just go with the flow when your photographer asks
you to bring your chin up/down, turn to the side some, and stand up straight.
All those little movements in combination will enhance your image and improve
your image. Professional photographers know many little tricks to guide
you through a photoshoot.
Photography Tip #15: Plan for the Unexpected
Things happen every day which are out of the ordinary. No matter what you
do or how well you think you have your wedding planned, plan for the unexpected.
From small tedious things to large scale events, keep in mind there is a
possibility that not everything will go as scheduled. This way, when something
comes up on your wedding day, you will be prepared for it mentally. Having
a backup plan in case of an emergency is a good idea in any situation!
Photography Tip #16: Live Photography Viewing
Some photographers offer special extras, besides just showing up and snapping
the standard images, that you may not be aware of. A live gallery slideshow
of images during your wedding reception is one of them. Images from the
day are dropped into a gallery which runs as a slideshow, projected on a
wall or a screen in the reception room. Your guests can enjoy viewing themselves
and the lucky couple instantly. Just ask your photographer is they offer
this service.
Photography Tip #17: Are Friends & Family
with Cameras Enough?
Using family & friends with cameras as a replacement for a professional
photographer will guarantee the loss of many precious moments. Even if you
have a guest who is a professional photographer, they will still be attending
your wedding as a guest. They know you and/or your fiancée, and they
will be emotionally caught up in the moments of the day. A professional
photographer (not attending as a guest) is paid to make sure all of your
moments are captured. They will have the equipment on hand to deal with
poor lighting, fast movements, and impulsive photographic opportunities
without getting in the way of the celebration.
Photography Tip #18: Portraits Before the
Wedding
Save time and save yourself the stress by considering taking your formal
portraits before your wedding. Couples who do are glad they did. Most formal
portraits can take anywhere from one hour to two hours depending on how
extensive your portrait list is. It's mostly "crunch time" in
between the ceremony and the reception when your guests are expecting you
to arrive as a brand new couple. Doing your formal portraits before the
actual ceremony relieves the pressure off when you and the bridal party
are ready to break loose, start drinking, and have fun.
Some couples insist on not seeing each other until the actual ceremony. If that is case, strongly consider doing as many portraits as possible as individuals with your family and bridal party before the wedding.
Photography Tip #19: Sun Damaged Skin
Being that bronze goddess walking down the aisle in her soft white dress
is an ideal look for a bride. Unfortunately, frying yourself the week of
your wedding is not the way to go about getting that tanned look. There
are issues that arise when you tan yourself using the sun's rays or a tanning
bed. Sun kissed skin does not hold make up as well, and it either gets oily
and greasy or dries out and flakes.
Make up is the last thing you will want to worry about and/or mess with on the day of your wedding. Consider using a self-tanning lotion and/or asking your make up artist to give you that golden glow using their makeup.
Photography Tip #20: Book Them Early
What is it about those brides that book vendors and plan their wedding a
year in advance? Whether it is for personal reasons or just to keep their
sanity, they have one thing going for them. Booking your wedding vendors
in advance means you get the pick of the litter. You get to book your favorite
photographer, caterer, and make up artist. If you wait until last minute,
you are forced to choose from your third or fourth choice vendors. Be smart
& start early!
Photography Tip #21: Budget Appropriately
Make sure you budget for your photography & videography services. Sources
suggest reserving approximately 10% of your budget to photography &
videography. There are actually categories for different types of wedding
photographers. You can find budget photographers for under $900. Your professional
photographer will be priced from $1500- $3500. High-end photographers will
range from $4500- $10,000. Celebrity photographers are $15,000+. Know what
price range you are in, what you can afford, and what type of experience
you will be getting from your photographer.
Photography Tip #22: Recommended Vendors
Worried you will end up with a "dud" vendor for your wedding?
It's good to ask for recommendations from friends & family who have
recently planned a wedding or large party when planning your own wedding.
Get multiple opinions on each vendor if it is possible. This will help put
into perspective what each business's strengths & weaknesses are. Using
the information provided you will be able to make the best choices on vendors
for you!
Photography Tip #23: Photographer’s
Skillset
Most of the time a photographer's skill set branches out to more than simply
photographing your wedding and providing you with images. If you are looking
for a special effect or a special look to one of your images, talk with
your wedding photographer. You never know what they will come up with to
enhance an image after or even before it is taken!
