15 Tips for the best wedding photos ever
As a photographer I get to see all parts of a wedding day from beginning to end. Theres a few things I’ve learned that really help make the day go smoothly and ensure you’ll get great photos!
Getting Ready
1. No Clutter
Your bridal party is going to end up brining a lot of stuff to your room. You’ll have bags full of decorations, a suitcase full of everything you need and mimosa glasses all over the place. For the photos, keep these things out of sight. Have everyone keep their things in the closet or in drawers if possible. Don't forget to make your bed. This all goes for your Fiancé’s room too!
2. Lighting
If you can, choose a getting ready location with lots of natural light. Sometimes that means getting ready somewhere other than your venue’s bridal/groom suite. I’ll want all the windows open and the lights off so we can get the look we want and soak up all that gorgeous window light.
3. Location
Not in love with your venues bridal suite or maybe you can’t get in there early enough on the day of the wedding so you’ll start somewhere else. Usually people think a hotel is their only option but sometimes hotel rooms just aren’t that nice. I’d suggest checking out an Air BnB/VRBO instead. Sometimes you can rent a whole house for way cheaper than a suite at a hotel and you can find one that really fits your style!
4. Makeup
It’s not true that you need to go heavy with your make up so it “shows up on camera” My camera will pick it all up and then some. Heavy eye shadow can make your eyes look smaller and thick fake lashes (girl get extensions, they will change your life!) can cast a shadow under your eyes making you look tired.
*Wedding Dress Tip*
Get a Pretty wooden hanger for your dress! Seriously, this is one of the most forgotten things and it’s so much better taking a picture of your perfect dress on a nice hanger than that last one it comes with. Also, when shopping for your dress keep in mind how comfortably you can move in it. If you can’t move freely it will limit our shooting style. if you really love the carefree unposed and totally fun photos then let your dress reflect that style. At the same time it’s your wedding day and you can wear whatever the hell you want so you do you boo boo 😘
Formal Portraits
1. Keep it short
For your family formal shots try to keep it to just your immediate family. This means, parents, siblings(their children and spouses if they have any) and grandparents. Extended family photos can be taken during your reception as you make your way to greet everyone. These can take longer than any other part of the day and usually everyone just wants to get to the reception and start having fun (plus grab a bite to eat). So the less formal shots we have to take the more fun and candid shots we’ll get later!
2. Stick to the timeline
While the timeline almost always gets behind at some point during the day, we’ll still want to try and stick as close to it as we can. Don’t worry i’ll put this together with you guys so we don’t miss a thing. Plus I always add in more time to account for any set backs
But the best part about this timeline is letting your family and bridal party know exactly what time they need to be ready to get their photos done. (maybe tell them its 30min earlier than we actually planed on)
First Look
Should you do a first look?
It’s 100% up to you if you want to do a first look. Don’t ever let a vendor make you feel pressured to do one. Our timeline will still work if you don’t want to. So this is your call.
My opinion, it’s abasultye the best “wedding trend“ ever and I hope it lasts. Here are the reasons why so many people, including myself, feel it makes for a better timeline.
1. Photos done early
when you do a first look we get to take all those family formals, the bridal party shots and your bridal photos all before the ceremony which means right after you get married all we’ll do is take some sunset shots (like 15 min) and you get to enjoy your cocktail hour and spend your time with your family.
2. Calms the nerves
You will most likely be tied up in knots before the ceremony and this moment eases all of those nerves.
“but if he sees me before the ceremony he won’t cry when i walk down the aisle“ I can say with confidence this is 100% false! If you’re a cryer, you will cry both times. If you’re not a cryer, you probably won’t cry at all then. I’ve done more first looks than I can count and almost every time there are tears they are followed by even more tears down the aisle.
3. It’s private
This is my favorite reason for doing a first look. It’s a time for you two to exchange any vows you want to keep private. I’ll be shooting from a distance to give you your space. It’s also a good time for you to exchange your gifts instead of sending a bridesmaid/groomsmen to do it. You two can have a moment together away from everyone. It’s the genuine, whole hearted, not-putting-on-a-show-for-anyone commitment you make to each other.
Ceremony
1. Lighting
When you’re looking for venues and ceremony spots, the best case scenario is having the sun set behind your guests. This way as it goes down it gently lights you both and the whole ceremony straight on. Even if it’s sets behind your officiant this is so much better than the left or right. You don’t want one of you staring into the sun and the other in a shadow. The goal is even lighting.
2. Mic
A mic stand can be an eyesore. if you can have your officiant with a lapel mic or a handheld mic.
3. UNPLUG
There is nothing more disheartening for me than when I’m taking photos of your ceremony and your guests are holding up phones (or even ipads) or their cameras taking their own photos. I don’t mind them taking photos during the reception or cocktail hour but for ceremony remind them that you want them to be present in this moment with you. I’ll be taking photos of their reactions as well and it’s hard with their phones covering their faces. Also flashes going off during the ceremony can mess with my photos.
A sign is a great way to let them know but also have your officiant make and announcement right before the ceremony starts.
Reception
1. Lighting
Are you sensing a theme yet? I’m a slave to the light and the better it is the better the photos. Get that mood right with all the twinkle lights you can! Candles, soft lights, fairy lights. I love them all! I will do my best to capture your day exactly how it looks, that means I won’t take out my flash until I absolutely have to so turn up the ambient light!
2. DJ lights
Your Dj will most likely have those cool party lights. I love those for dancing! but have him wait to turn them on until after your first dance, father/daughter dance and mother/son dance. Those don't really go with the mood of the moment and they leave colored spots on your dress and skin!
3. Dinner
Let your guest eat before your start the toasts. They don’t want to sit through it on an empty stomach. You also don’t want them eating through the toasts and not paying attention. Dinner first, then toasts and everything else you have planed. My Team and I will eat when you eat. No one needs pictures of you or your guests chowing down so this is the perfect time for us to take out break too. This also ensures that once you’re done, I’m done and can get back in the action with you. You have the option to feed me (thank you so much this saves me!) if not I’ll take 45 min to leave your venue and go find food.
Ask me anything! I want to be an extra help to you both. So don’t be shy, ask away. I really love helping you plan your perfect day and making sure you get everything you want!
THANK YOU
