The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Photography

Wedding Photography Do's and Don'ts PICTURING YOUR BIG DAY Wedding planning takes forever, but the day itself seems to fly by. Ensuring your big day is well-photographed will help you save those memories for the rest of your life. Follow our set of tips for everyone from the bride and groom to the wedding guests. FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM Do: Get inspired by photos from other weddings, Pinterest boards, etc. But be cautious not to let what others have done restrict you. After all, this is your wedding, not theirs. Don't: Micromanage your wedding photographer, particularly if you're hiring a pro (more on that later). You wouldn't tell your baker how to bake the cake or the caterer how to arrange the plates. FOR THE BRIDE ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS Do: Schedule a trial run with your makeup and hair stylist prior to your wedding day. Either include your photographer in the process or simply send a few images to add inspiration to the preparation for the big day. 6-12 months before the wedding: Schedule an engagement photo shoot. If your ceremony is sooner than 6-12 months away, don't worry - just have your photos taken as soon as you can. Don't: Stress too much on the day of the wedding. Communicate your preferences, schedules and priorities beforehand and delegate responsibility so that on your wedding day, the prevailing image emanating from you is pure happiness. 1-2 months before the wedding: Send your engagement announcement and photo to your local or hometown Do: Enjoy every moment you can with every family member and guest you have the joy of sharing your wedding day with. You will have scheduled plenty of planned photo shoots, but some of your most memorable photos of your day will feature impromptu moments that just happen. newspapers. Do: Choose a location that's meaningful to you both (as well as being pretty to photograph). Don't: Be afraid to send out both print and digital Save the Date announcements. Even if you print only a select few for snail mail, you'll be glad to have a version you can hold in your hands when you look back years from now. Don't: Hide! If you are camera-shy on every other day of your life, make the decision not to be shy on your wedding day. Accept that you deserve all the attention of a million lenses and Save Date thef refuse to be intimidated by the seemingly endless photos of you that are being taken. Gubriella s" Jorathan SEPTEMBER Do: Include the date of your wedding in at least one or two of your engagement photos. Yes, you can add those graphics to your announcement, but the date will be extremely meaningful to you for the rest of your life – it's a simple, beautiful touch. FOR THE GROOM Don't: Get frustrated by how long the photos take. Tell yourself from the Do: Smile . for the right reason. You are smiling (so much your face will hurt by the end of the day), but you are never smiling for the photographer. You are smiling because you are marrying the person of your dreams. Remember that and your smiles will very beginning that photos are a joy. Think about it: the most important people in your life are gathered together in honor of you and you have no idea when or if that collection of people will be together again. never look awkward. HIRING A PHOTOGRAPHER 4-12 months before the wedding: Don't: Think of your wedding day as your last chance to goof off. You will have fun all day long, you don't need to worry about that (and, let's face it, you won't lose all signs of immaturity at the altar). But the last thing you'll want is to find out that some of the photographer's best shots were ruined by silly faces or by looking down at your shoes. Research and choose a photographer. Be sure to eview and sign a contract with the photographer, so you all know what's expected. Schedule a shoot for engagement photos. 1 month before the wedding: WEDDING PARTIES Meet with your photographer to review the timeline for the wedding and establish priorities and other details for formal and candid photos. If there are any unique situations in your family (divorces, stepparents, other personal issues), be sure the photographer is aware of that. Do: Have fun. Nothing photographs better than happiness. Don't: Get lost. Do your best to be where you're supposed to be at all times. The less-than-fun aspects of arranging epic photos go by much, much more quickly when everyone is close by. 1 week before the wedding: Confirm all details with the photographer and exchange emergency contact information. Provide accurate directions and any other information needed for the photographer to arrive and set up equipment. Do: Make sure everyone is having a good time and you'll have a good time. Posing for photos or meeting out-of-town relatives may not be your favorite thing, but this is a party - and the point is to have fun. K M 3.21 2014 Don't: Look at the camera unless directed. (Or the converse: don't look away when you are directed.) Any time a photo involves many people, it only takes one person to render an otherwise perfect photo unusable. Don't be that person. SAN FRANCISCO 1 week - 1 month after wedding Review final images with photographer and receive prints or files, depending on what's stated in the contract. GUESTS Don't:Take your own photos during the key moments of the your phones dway. The happy couple hired a photographer and a videographer, so unless your name is on that check, keep your electronic devices out of the Do: Let the photographer take the shots of the wedding. Put and iPads ceremony. otherwise beautiful shot. You can take photos any time the rest of the day, and you can get digital copies of professional photos very soon. FIRST LOOKS Don't: Feel Do: Consider a First Look photo session, when, just before the ceremony, the groom sees the bride in all her white-adorned glory. It's a beautiful way to preserve that initial emotional reveal and all the joy of that moment, forever. compelled to have a First Look if it's not exactly what you want. Whether you make that first look private for the two of you or open it up to everyone at the ceremony, the choice is entirely yours. Н Announcing Malory and Jua HdNovber lon, MA Fwww.h 6 RECEPTIONS Do: Consider timing them around sunset. The last hour of sunlight in a day offers up the most beautiful, golden-hour lighting. You only have one wedding day and one opportunity to take advantage of that lighting. Don't: Let the pressure of people waiting to see you dictate when you take photos. This is your day. Your schedule. Your priorities. Everyone will be delighted to see you whenever they can. MR. & MRS. MILLER Julia & Adam / San Diego, CA Juot mavried 10.28.15 Do: Use creative methods to capture the countless photo opportunities a reception offers. Tell guests to use a predetermined hashtag on social media when they post their photos and updates. Provide photo booths or disposable cameras. Unleash the creativity of your entire guest list in capturing the memories of your happy day from their happy perspectives. PURKER ELOUINE PAR JEPFRET DANELN Don't: stop there! Use your own creativity and inspiration to make your wedding day and the photos that document it perfect. Shutterfly. ADDITIONAL SOURCES http://www.exclusivelyweddings.com/countdown.html? creative=40116008485&device=c&network=g&matchtype=b&adpos=l01&gclid3DCLmK-dTI-sMCFQGoaQodIFcAaw http://photo.net/learn/wedding/wedding-photography-timeline http://www.mariannewilsonblog.com/wedding-day-photography-timeline-myths-and-tips/ http://www.elmerescobar.com/7-engagement-session-tips http://www.ispwp.com/five-tips-for-brides-to-have-wonderful-pictures-on-her-wedding-day.html http://kellyboitano.com/15-wedding-tips-from-a-photographer-turned-bride/