Who Are The best wedding photographers near me?
What Every Bride Needs To Know About Photographing Her Wedding
As one of the best wedding photographers, I can tell you it's vitally important to communicate the appropriate expectations with every couple.
It's been said that 99% of issues arise because expectations were not properly communicated. Misunderstandings are usually at the root of most problems. In this article, we going to share what every bride needs to know about photographing her wedding. We want to make sure your wedding is the best it can be!
[How To Find A Photographer For Wedding, The Ultimate Guide]
What Every Bride Needs To Know About Photographing Her Wedding
Pre-Ceremony
If something is going to cause a delay, 99% of the time it's hair and makeup. Most brides tend to underestimate the time needed to complete this part of the day and they don't allow any extra time just in case something doesn't go as planned. You might find your hair is being stubborn and this causes a 15-30 minute delay. When your schedule goes off course, you can quickly start to feel stressed out.
Hair will generally take between 45 minutes - 1 hour and this is per person. Makeup will take 30-45 minutes and again, this is per person. When creating your wedding day timeline, be sure to allot plenty of time for getting ready and add a little extra time for unexpected issues.
Be sure to dedicate an area in the bridal suite for food, drink, extra clothes, etc. We want to limit clutter and distractions as much as possible. This will save time on your photography and make your photos look much cleaner.
Lastly, try to limit the number of people in the "getting ready" room. These rooms get crowded quickly and we want to ensure we have adequate space to capture the getting ready portion of the day.
Ceremony
Outside Ceremonies
Consider the position of sunlight. Look to place the entire ceremony, if possible, in shade as this will allow for much better photographs. Direct sunlight creates harsh shadows on faces and causes everyone to "squint." These issues will severely degrade your wedding photos.
Church Ceremonies
Many churches do not allow "flash photography" and sometimes they don't allow photography at all. We use some of the best performing equipment available today and it handles low-light situations very well. However, it's essential to understand that photos taken in low-light conditions tend to have a more "grainy" look. How much grain will depend on several factors - amount of actual light present and quality of equipment. If your church doesn't allow photography, unfortunately your photographer will be unable to capture any images from your ceremony. Be sure to inquire about your churches policy, so you fully understand what to expect.
Unplugged Ceremonies
It's likely at least 90% of your guests will have have some sort of camera or video capturing device, whether it's a cell phone, camera or video camera. Cell phones especially are having a huge impact on wedding photography and the quality of your ceremony photos. Most pictures are filled with arms raised in the air holding a cell phone or people leaning or standing in the middle of the aisle, and interfering with your photographer.
The sudden and unexpected bright flashes from other devices often has significant impact on the images created by your photographer. It degrades and even ruins photos completely. We highly recommend you implement a "no picture or video" policy for your ceremony and request your guests relax and enjoy the experience. There are lots of unique and sensitive ways to deliver this message.
Post-Ceremony Photography Sessions
Your post-ceremony photos should be captured in a secluded area. Only the people who will be included in the photographs should be present during this time. Guests will only serve to cause unwanted distractions and your pictures will look much better if everyone isn't looking in different directions.
When making your wedding timeline, allocate time for family photos, the wedding party, and the creative portrait session of you and your partner. Generally speaking, all of these images can be captured in 1 1/2 - 2 hours. If you're having a pre-ceremony first look, many of these pictures are often captured prior to the ceremony; therefore, it will reduce the amount of time needed for photos between the ceremony and reception. Speak to your photographer regarding both of these options so you ensure you're making the best choice for your wedding.
Assistant
Assign someone in your family - preferably someone who knows everyone - to assist your photographer with getting people ready for photos. Your photographer will do all of the arranging, but the assistant can tell people when they need to be ready for their photos. Because they know everyone, it's helps to keep everything moving as quickly as possible.
Maid-of-Honor
For the creative portrait session of you and your partner, the only people that should be present are you, your partner, and your maid-of-honor. The maid-of-honor can assist as needed with your dress, holding your bouquet, etc.
Relinquish Control
Trust your photographer and give them full creative control. Many brides want to hand their photographer a packet of their favorite Pinterest poses and ask them to re-create these images. Many of these images are not from real weddings - They were made using models using the perfect location, lighting, and conditions. You hired your photographer for their imagination and their creativity - Give them full creative control to do their thing, so they can deliver you wedding photos original to your wedding.
Reception
Guest Photos
Most people do not enjoy having their picture taken and they really don't like their picture taken while trying to eat. So, please don't ask your photographer to take "table pictures" during the dinner hour. This will only annoy your guests and put them in a bad mood.
Itinerary
Be sure to communicate your wedding reception itinerary with your wedding photographer. It's essential they have a good outline of what events will be included and when they're expected to take place. Your photographer will also be in close communication with your DJ and/or wedding planner to further ensure everyone is on the same page.
General
Family Dynamics
This is a discuss we have with our clients prior to the wedding day, but always make sure your photographer is fully aware of any unique family dynamics. Maybe your parents are divorced and they can't be placed next to one another during photos or maybe we capture a picture of a "couple" that shouldn't have been dancing so closely together (it happens).
Pre-Ceremony First Look
Traditionally speaking, the "first look" refers to the moment the bride walks down the aisle and see's her groom for the first time on the wedding day. With a pre-ceremony first look, this happens as it states, prior to the ceremony. It's regarded as one of the most personal and intimate moments of the wedding day and many couples would rather have it be a private experience. But it's also great for your wedding photography too. It usually provided us with more time for photos and it also means less photos following the ceremony; therefore, you can spend more time with your guests enjoying your party!