Okay, we ALL want Pinterest and Magazine worthy photos on our wedding day and I'm here to tell you let’s make that happen. & yes your photographer (which fingers crossed is me;) ) is experienced, trained, and will guide/direct you as much as possible throughout the day but here is some of the advice I like to give to my couples before/on their big day! These are just small things YOU can do to help us get better images of you!
1) HOLD that first kiss, and count to 5 slowly.
This helps to make sure one your photographer won’t miss it, and two that we can get all of those angles…. horizontal, vertical, wide, and all the rest.
Also walk slowly down the aisle, take your time, don’t rush it for the same reasons!
2) Ask your officiant to move out of the way for your first kiss AND for your bride and groom exit.
I love officiants but they just don’t need to be in these images and its not that easy to just photoshop someone out.
3) Sit real close together during speeches.
Whether speeches are going to make you laugh or cry, they are always emotional
….and empty space always looks larger in photographs…
To help with that sense of intimacy sit close together.
Honestly think about this your entire wedding day and just squish into each other.
4) Consider keeping your dress a secret from everyone!
Well, maybe not your mom cause I know mine would just get really upset with me…. but from your bridesmaids!
This is such a fun way to capture authentic emotions. Because you get a grand reveal and real first look expressions from all of them.
5) Makeup and hair trials…
Okay, this is a tip for before the wedding day but it helps with wedding photos….
Not all makeup and hair photographs well on everyone, get trials done and take lots of pictures those days and throughout the day (as your wedding is a full-day event and light changes).
Consider getting your engagement photos done this day!
This way you know if you like the way these look in photographs and can improve on things you didn’t.
6) Consider a first look…
this isn’t for everyone and no worries if it’s not but hear me out and if it is something you are open to… I say let’s do it.
Doing a first look before the ceremony creates a very intimate moment for you guys. And trust me you still get that moment of the groom seeing his bride for the first time, if he’s gonna cry watching you walk down the aisle he still cries here he actually might be more open to crying because your alone.
And guess what it lasts longer.
First look images are always filled with so much emotion and always some of my favourites.
7) Sneak away for sunset….
You will never regret sunset/golden hour photos. This is the perfect light and it also gives you a couple minutes by yourself. I
can’t really say more than just do them!
8) SEND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER A SHOT LIST…
On your wedding day you WILL not remember EVERY image you want, there is just too much going on and to enjoy.
But your photographer also can not read your mind and we also have a lot going on that day; we too get scatterbrained.
So send them a small shot list of your absolute favourites so they can do their job to the best of their ability and get you those images.
9) Have all those details together in the room at the start of the day…
I personally shoot details before I do anything else and most photographers I know are the same… having all of these already in one spot and not having to track them down is so helpful and helps you not forget anything. These images are more special than you think when you look back on your day!
Some details to have:
Brides:
TWO invitations, (so front and back can be shown)
Rings
Shoes
Bouquet
Jewelry
Wedding Dress
Blue and borrowed.
Grooms:
Shoes
Ring
Watch
Cufflinks
Tie
Boutonniere
and anything else you want…
10) Forget about Pinterest-worthy images…
Okay this is weird considering the clickbait name of this blog post… but… every single photograph will be different, I can not replicate someone’s image to a tee and I don’t want to…
Forget about an image you saw, and do what you want to do.
You, as you are is Pinterest worthy
and so much more than you think goes into and has to align for those “perfect” images
plus everyone does the trends on Pinterest, let’s create images that start new trends instead.
11) PUT YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY IN THE SHADE………..!
If you are getting married outside, pay attention to the light at the time of day you are going to walk down the aisle, and don’t be afraid to maybe change it up on the wedding day.
Harsh sun is not flattering in images.
If you google photographer tips for shooting in harsh sun / mid day the number one tip is to find the shade! Shade will give you an even amount of light and your photographer will love you for this trust me.
(even if you are getting married inside pay attention to the light, light can really make or break an image and if you are unsure ask your photographer it is our job after all.)
12) Consider an unplugged ceremony.
I would actually encourage people to try to stay off their phones for most of the important moments of the night.
But specifically at the start of the ceremony just get the officiant to make a quick announcement before it begins.
Nothing worse than an image you paid a lot of money for full of people with iPhones out.
There might be one person who still pulls out their phone and takes photos
my dad is that person so I understand
but one person with a phone out is better then 50….
Your images will look better because of this!
13) Think about what your prep rooms look like.
clean them… get rid of things that aren’t wedding-related.
clutter might ruin your images… no-one wants a pile of clothes in the background of their pictures.
think about the lighting again… rooms with natural light are the best, think big windows!
14) Look at your partner during the ceremony not the officiant.
Yes the officiant is talking to you and it feels rude to not look at them, but do you want a whole wedding gallery of you staring lovingly at the officiant
…. probably not ….
15) Enjoy your day and trust your photographer!
Nothing looks better in a photograph than real authentic emotion and smiles.
Also, you’re paying someone who is a professional so trust them, their vision, experience and skills.
If you can only remember one tip from the list remember this one, and you will have the best possible images!
