Avoid Common Wedding Photography Mistakes By Following These 6 Tips For A Stress-Free Day And Stunning Images
The day you tie the knot with your partner will probably be one of the most joyous days of your life. In spite of how long and arduous the wedding process may have felt, though, the actual event tends to fly by.
That’s why photographers are a critical part of most couples’ wedding day. Stunning images– both posed and candid– are a great way to reminisce on the moment you said “I do” to the love of your life and remember every little detail about the ceremony you worked so hard planning.
Unfortunately, though, there are some mistakes newlyweds make that result in lackluster photographs– a consequence that no bride or groom wants.
So, keep reading to learn about the top five tips couples must follow before, during, and after their wedding day to walk away with some cherished mementos.
Always Check Prospective Photographer’s Portfolios
With social media and access to countless photographers at your fingertips, you may find various potential photographers who you believe would be perfect for your big day.
But, always be sure to look beyond their social media profiles. Oftentimes, only the “best of the best” photos are shared there– meaning that there are hundreds or even thousands of other photos from single events that you have not seen.
That’s why it is crucial that you dig deeper, visit prospective photographers’ websites, and look at a large sampling of images. This is a great way to figure out if you like their style and creativity and if it matches the vision of your ideal wedding photos.
You can even go the extra mile and request a full gallery of photos from a wedding that is similar to your big day. That way, you can get a glimpse of how a photographer operates and shoots under different circumstances– for instance, low-lit indoor weddings versus a beach wedding that is full of sunshine.
olegparylyak – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual people
Don’t Forget To Voice Your Vision
Yes, photographers are the experts. But after planning and personalizing your dream wedding, you should also have some say in the end result.
That’s why it is critical that you figure out what you want and voice your end goal to your photographer. And one of the easiest ways to get your point across is by providing visual examples.
You can scour Pinterest or visit bridal websites; likewise, you can use family members’ or friends’ weddings as inspiration. Gather a few photographs that really represent your intended aesthetic, composition, and style. Then, show your photographer to give them a “feel” for how they should shoot.
Also, if your photographer has never shot at your chosen wedding venue, it can be helpful to provide them with photos of the space while pointing out what specific areas you would like shots in. This can help them narrow down your vision and plan some images pre-wedding day.
Never Skip The Pre-Wedding Photo Session
Much like a wedding day makeup trial, pre-wedding photo sessions are key for determining if you want to move forward with a photographer.
First of all, this trial run is a great way to get to know your photographer and figure out if you vibe with their workflow.
Plus, you and your photographer will get to determine what works and what doesn’t– such as poses, lighting, and different compositions– before the real thing.
Most of the time, these sessions also go great– giving you and your fiancé even more engagement photos that you can cherish as memories while gaining confidence in your wedding photographer.
But, on the off chance the session goes badly, you will be able to save yourself time, money, and upset by finding out upfront and changing courses.
Stop Trying To Control The Photoshoot
If you successfully followed the last three steps, then there is absolutely no need to interfere with your wedding photographer during your ceremony or reception. Instead, this can actually just create more stress and tension.
Through your vision board and pre-wedding photo session, your photographer has already learned what you want your photographs to look like. So, you just need to relax, savor the moment, and leave them to handle the rest.
And if you fail to do that, you can even end up missing out on some gorgeous candid photos.
Be Patient Post-Wedding
Once your ceremony and reception are over, and you and your new spouse embark on your honeymoon, it can be tempting to immediately ask for your wedding photos.
What couples don’t always realize, though, is how much work goes into editing photos behind the scenes. Most times, there are hundreds if not thousands of images for your photographer to sort through, select, and edit in a cohesive style.
So, don’t rush the process, and remember to remain patient. Depending on the number of photographs and your photographer’s workflow, it could take anywhere between three to 12 weeks to receive your final images.
Don’t Just Opt For Digital
Once your wedding photographs are finally ready to be viewed, it may feel like an eternity has passed since your big day. So, at that moment, you may just want to get digital renderings in order to view, download, and save them immediately.
One of the biggest mistakes couples make, though, is overlooking physical print copies.
You never know when your computer will break, your hard drive will crash, or you just accidentally misplace files. So, be sure to order some physical copies, too.
Not only are these images a sort-of insurance policy on your memories, but they also give you the opportunity to preserve and display some of your favorite moments from your big day in an album or frame.
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