Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and having beautiful photographs to remember it by is essential. As professional wedding photographers with over a decade of experience, we've learned what works and what doesn't when it comes to capturing those magical moments. In this article, we'll share our top wedding photography tips to help ensure your special day is documented perfectly.
1. Hire a Professional Photographer
While it might be tempting to save money by asking a friend or family member to take your wedding photos, we strongly recommend hiring a professional. Professional wedding photographers have the experience, equipment, and expertise to capture your day beautifully, even in challenging lighting conditions or fast-paced moments. They also know how to be in the right place at the right time to document those spontaneous, emotional moments that make your wedding unique.
2. Schedule an Engagement Session
An engagement session is not just about getting lovely photos of you and your partner before the wedding - it's also an opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera and build rapport with your photographer. You'll learn which poses feel natural to you and which angles are most flattering. By the time your wedding day arrives, you'll feel much more relaxed being photographed, which will translate to more authentic images.
3. Create a Shot List
Work with your photographer to create a list of must-have shots. This should include formal family portraits, specific details you want captured, and any special moments or traditions unique to your wedding. Having a shot list ensures nothing important is missed during the excitement of the day. However, also trust your photographer to capture candid moments as they unfold - often these spontaneous images become the most treasured.
4. Consider the Lighting
Lighting is perhaps the most crucial factor in photography. When planning your wedding day timeline, consider the quality of light at different times of day. The "golden hour" (the hour before sunset) provides beautiful, soft, warm light that is incredibly flattering for portraits. If possible, schedule your outdoor portraits during this time. Discuss with your photographer how they plan to handle the lighting at your venue, especially if you're having an indoor ceremony or reception in a dimly lit space.
5. Plan for a "First Look"
A "first look" is when the couple sees each other before the ceremony in a private moment staged for photography. This not only creates beautiful, emotional images but also has practical benefits. It allows you to take many of your formal portraits before the ceremony, giving you more time to enjoy your cocktail hour and mingle with guests. It can also help calm nerves before walking down the aisle.
6. Capture the Details
You've spent months planning every detail of your wedding, from the invitations to the table settings to the flowers. Make sure your photographer knows which details are most important to you so they can be documented properly. Prepare a box with all your small items (rings, jewelry, invitations, etc.) so the photographer can easily style and photograph them while you're getting ready.
7. Be Present in the Moment
While photographs are important, don't get so caught up in posing and smiling for the camera that you forget to experience your wedding day. The best photographs capture genuine emotions and reactions. Trust your photographer to document the day, and focus on enjoying yourself and connecting with your partner and guests. Those authentic moments of joy, laughter, and tears make for the most moving images.
8. Consider Unplugged Ceremonies
An "unplugged ceremony" means asking guests to put away their phones and cameras during the ceremony. This not only ensures that guests are fully present for this important moment, but it also prevents well-meaning guests from inadvertently ruining professional shots by stepping into the aisle or using flash photography. Your photographer will be able to capture clear views of the ceremony and your guests' reactions without a sea of devices in the frame.
9. Plan for Weather Contingencies
If you're planning an outdoor wedding, always have a backup plan for photography in case of inclement weather. Discuss with your photographer beforehand how they would handle rain, extreme heat, or other weather challenges. A good wedding photographer should be prepared with solutions that will still result in beautiful images regardless of the weather.
10. Trust Your Photographer
Finally, once you've hired a professional you trust, let them do their job. They have the expertise to make creative decisions in the moment and to guide you through the day. If you've communicated your expectations clearly beforehand, you can relax and trust that they'll capture your wedding beautifully, even if things don't go exactly according to plan.
Following these tips will help ensure that your wedding photography truly reflects the beauty and emotion of your special day. At Svigngarot Media, we pride ourselves on creating wedding imagery that tells the unique story of each couple we work with. Contact us to learn more about our wedding photography services and how we can help document your celebration.
