Taking pictures of a wedding is such a joy for me. I love witnessing the excitement of the bride and groom as they’re getting ready, watching the family and friends radiate with joy, and even seeing the decorating styles throughout the ceremony and reception! While I and thousands of other wedding photographers are grateful to be entrusted with taking your wedding photos, there are some things we would like you to know that would help improve the pictures. Take the pictures from a “great photo!” expression to a “wow, this picture’s straight out of a fairy tale!”
Lighting Is Key
Getting married at your grandmother’s church may be incredibly special, but if it’s dark and the windows don’t let much light in, the pictures may not be as stunning as they could be. Low lighting can affect photos, even with professional cameras. The lower the lighting, the greater the chance your photos may be grainy. It’s definitely something to keep in mind when scouting out a location for the ceremony and reception.
Pace Out Your Day
If you’re like me, I like to cram in as much as I can into one day. But DON’T let this happen during your wedding day! The last thing you’ll want is to be stressed out because you didn’t have enough time to take your family photos. When planning your wedding day, make sure to add cushion room between events. Trust me, you’d much rather enjoy your bridesmaid pictures instead of panicking because you have to walk down the aisle in 15 minutes.
Know Your Poses
Wedding Photographers have a lot of ideas in mind for your pictures, but don’t be afraid to share your ideas. This is your day after all! Let the photographer know in advance what poses you’d like to try. Of course, keep in mind that your photographer can’t exactly replicate every photo you see, but ideas are always a good thing!
Private First Looks Are Incredible
First looks walking down the aisle are always so beautiful. Everyone always loves seeing the groom’s reaction when he first sees his beautiful bride! However, there’s more than one type of first look. Private first looks are just as enchanting, and it’s without the thought of everyone watching you. You’re free to be you, free to talk how amazing each other looks, and it’s a small get away from the hustle and bustle to just pause time and take in the moment together.
Plan Photos During The Best Lighting
Like what I said in the first highlight, lighting can change everything for your photos. If you plan to have an outdoor wedding in the middle of the day with no shading, this will cause harsh shadows on everyone’s faces. Those shadows won’t make the photos as grand as they could be. There’s this thing called golden hour that all photographers know about, and that’s when it’s best lighting to take pictures. Golden hour happens an hour before sunset, so try to work around this time if possible. Whether it’s during the ceremony or making your getaway, try to incorporate golden hour into your pictures – you won’t regret it.