How to make the most of your wedding photography...
How important is it to get the photography right on your big day?
Let’s face it, memories fade over time but photos, they last forever. And years down the line, a single photo can bring those memories flooding back! So we’re going to talk about how to make the most out of your wedding photography in the run up to and on the big day. So here goes…
“Where do we start though?”
First thing I’d say to this question is DO. YOUR. RESEARCH.
If you remember from our budget post, your photographer will likely be one of the next biggest expenses after your venue and catering. So don’t be afraid to spend that little bit more for a great quality photographer who’s work you’ve seen and love.
Credit: Matthew Grainger
Credit: Scott & Lees
“How do we pick our photographer”
The internet is amazing but can often be a little overwhelming whilst doing your research. So here’s a few tips:
Check with your venue for a recommended suppliers list… This will be full of fabulous suppliers that they’ve worked with over the years and that they trust. So this is a great place to start as they will know the venue and their work will be highly valued.
Recommendations and reviews are gold dust! If you can’t find any then make sure you ask about.
Other suppliers you are working with for your wedding will likely be able to help out with photographers they love.
Instagram is the perfect platform for viewing their work and getting a greater idea of their style so get online and get saving any images you particularly love (more on this bit later!).
Credit: James Brooking
Credit: Scott & Lees
Credit: Matthew Grainger
“What do we need to do before we book?”
You’ve done your research and you think you’ve found your perfect photographer. You love their style, they’re available on your date, you’ve read their reviews or know someone that can vouch for them so this is all a great start!
Before you pay your deposit, why not get a meeting booked with them either over video call or in person to give them the chance to get a feel for what your wedding photography wants and needs are.
Credit: Rachel Joyce
Credit: Anna Beth Photography
This is a great time to discuss their style and what you want your photos to look like. Do you want relaxed, fun, traditional? Do you want lots of close ups of all your little finishing touches, photos of your getting ready in the morning? Whatever it is, make sure you talk it through and feel comfortable they will fulfil your ideas. Also discuss your venue, if they’ve not worked there before then why not suggest you meet there so they can have a look about before the big day and get to know the place. This will make getting all the right photos on the day so much smoother.
“Yay our photographer is booked, what next?”
Venue photo spots
Think back to when you viewed your venue, you must have loved certain little spots at the time thinking, ‘That would make a great photo!’
So now it’s time to look through their social media pages, website, brochures etc and create a list or even better, a folder of saved images to discuss with your photographer so they know exactly what you want capturing on your day. We have a series of these saved to our highlights on our Instagram showing you our favourite spots for different photos throughout the venue.
Feeling camera shy?
Source: Pinterest
Now let’s be honest, most of us will look at that perfect Instagram photo where the groom dips the bride towards the floor and goes in for a kiss and we think to ourselves - I can nail that pose. When in reality it’s a little lie we’re telling ourselves and the truth is you’re scared he will probably drop you or something! Haha.
So why not prepare yourselves (or your partner at least) by looking through photos that you like and saving a few of the more styled poses that you’d love to capture and prep each other. Then on the day, they will look completely natural rather than forced. Practice makes perfect after all!
Source: Pinterest
Or maybe your groom resembles something like Chandler from Friends in his awkward engagement shoot smile when asked to smile! If this is you then a photographer who focuses on capturing much more natural photos would definitely be perfect for you both.
Make a list!
Now this is a MUST!
Get a list written up of all the different photos you want with all the people you want. On your wedding day you’ll only have a small window to squeeze in the main bulk of your photos, usually about an hour and a half during your drinks reception.
You’ll want to delegate this list to an usher, bridesmaid or someone else that you trust. This person will ideally know most of your guests and not be too shy about rounding them all up. This will help make sure no one important gets missed off your precious photos and you photographer will also LOVE having something solid to work off.
Here’s a couple to get you started…
Groomsmen (names listed) before the ceremony having a pint at the bar
Father of the bride’s reaction when he see’s the bride in the Garden Apartment
Group shot with everyone outside the front of the house
All the hen do ladies cheersing with a glass of prosecco in the garden
Bride & Groom with both parents and grandparents near the stone wall
Bride and Groom sat relaxed & laughing on the main stairs
If this sounds like a lot of work, it’s honestly not and don’t worry - we’ve done most of the hard work for you!! We have put together a fab ‘Photographer List’ on our Wedding Planning Toolkit for you to edit and use as a guide for what YOU want to capture on your wedding day.
But what does the photographer say…?!
We asked Wedding Photographer and friend, Matthew Grainger, what his 5 top tips are for ensuring you get the most out of your wedding photography on the day and forever.
Keep the room you are getting ready in tidy if you are having some photographs
Easier said than done on a busy wedding morning but you can easily delegate to one of the bridesmaids or someone else within the wedding party who might be getting ready with you.
As a photographer I do have tricks to hide things in photographs using different compositions, lighting and foreground interest but it really makes it so much easier if the room is relatively tidy. Sometimes a moment will start to unfold and there isn't time to spend as long composing the perfect shot: it's about capturing what's happening quickly before the moment has passed. If the room is full of clutter it's hard to capture these moments without also capturing what's in the room.
2. Book a pre shoot if you feel nervous about being photographed
I can honestly say that every single one of my couples who felt nervous about photographs and booked a pre-wedding shoot didn't feel the same way afterwards and started to look forward to the wedding day photographs rather than dreading them. It's true, myself included that many people just don't fancy the idea of being followed round and photographed so it's no wonder you aren't looking forward to it. The thing is though, it's really not that bad and you're more likely to enjoy it in the end. The pre-shoot will put your mind at ease, give you a feel for what it's like and even help you work out what style of portraits you prefer for the wedding day.
3. Be realistic about how many group photographs you might want
Honestly I'm not trying to get out of doing work here but I can absolutely promise you from photographing hundreds of weddings that you and your guests will absolutely hate having to run through a huge list of group photographs that feels like it's never going to end. Your wedding day goes so fast and although a handful of group photographs won’t take too long, the last thing you want is to spend your whole drinks reception doing staged photographs. I personally recommend 10 or less but it depends on your schedule for the day.
4. Tell us your plans
If you are planning anything on the day don't forget to tell your photographer. I always ask if there's anything happening that I should know about but the amount of weddings that I've been photographing when out of the blue a surprise dance springs up out of nowhere and I'm in the complete wrong place to get the best shots. Honestly photographers can keep secrets if it's a surprise!
5. Ask Questions
Don't be afraid to ask questions when booking your photographer. I may be biased but I do believe that your photographer is one of the most important things you'll book for your wedding. Afterall they are in charge of capturing all the lovely memories for you to look back on.
Have a chat on the phone, video call, or in person and just chat about the day. I love nothing more than going over wedding plans with future couples and it's important for me to make sure we are a good fit.
Click here to find out more about Matt’s work or contact him.
And there you have it…
Our tips on how to make the most of your wedding photography!
So, back to the start… How important is it to get the photography right on your big day?
With a bit of prep work, planning and research you’ll be one of THE most organised couples for your wedding photographer.
And don’t forget:
Download our Wedding Tool Kit and fill in our Phototgrapher List
Put someone in charge of the list on the day
Do your research and find the photographer that is perfect for you
Don’t be afraid to spend the money on one that ticks ALL your boxes
Have a good chat with your photographer before the wedding to make sure they understand exactly what you want from them on the day and that they are familiar with your venue
Remember natural photos are beautiful and capture your guests ‘in the moment’
and finally, a photo can send all the memories flooding back so putting in the work now will be SO worth it in years to come!
P.S. Remember to be yourself and enjoy every minute of your day and it will shine through on your photos, naurally.
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