Top 10 photography tips for brides from a photographer’s point of view
1. Meet with the photographer before the wedding
Once you have decided on a photographer based on their portfolio and style, ask to meet with them in person or via a video call. You should feel comfortable with the person as, you will be spending most of your wedding day with them.
2. Hire a reputable photographer
Don’t just hire anybody with a camera, every second person thinks they’re a photographer these days. Make sure the photographer can shoot a full wedding of a high standard from beginning to end. Go through their portfolio and make sure they have a few full weddings loaded and not just a few lucky shots. We all started somewhere and had to build our portfolios from nothing but make sure the photographer is capable of documenting the entire day in full.
3. Consider getting a second shooter
I can cover all the beautiful and important moments of the day by myself. Some couples do however request that there be a second photographer on the day. They want the second shooter to cover the guests whilst the couple session is taking place, or they would like to have a dedicated photographer to stay with the guys the whole morning. A second photographer is never a bad idea in my opinion.
4. Have a timeline in place and try to follow it as much as possible.
I always sit down with clients long before the wedding day to discuss the timeline of the day. Things move quickly on the day and can easily get out of hand if there is no schedule to work from. The timeline will also ensure that all the important photos are captured during the day. The last thing you want is to be stressed out or late.
5. Make sure there is enough time for hair and make-up.
A delay with hair and makeup can set the whole day behind schedule. Try to plan it in a way that there is at least 30-45 minutes for photos of you fully dressed, and in makeup, before you must leave for the ceremony. Most professional makeup artists will also give you a schedule from which they will work.
6. Include a father of the bride fist look
One of my favourite moments to capture during a wedding is the first time the bride’s father or sometimes mother sees her. It is filled with emotion and makes for truly heartfelt photos.
7. Make sure there is lots of confetti
Make sure that guests have more than enough of whatever there is to throw at you, it looks great on photos! Have a look at all the different options that can be used for confetti. There are many different kinds that look really cool on photos. Some of my personal favourites are popcorn, bubbles, streamers, and rice.
8. Have a list of family photos
Ensure that there’s a list of family photos ready and give it so someone that knows them and can call them out for photos. It might sound like a non-important task, but it really helps speed up the process on the day and will guarantee that no one is forgotten about.
9. Schedule the couple for the sunset golden hour.
Everything looks better during the sunset hour and you probably booked the venue because of its beautiful scenery and surroundings. The 45 minutes before sunset is the best time for photography in the day. The light is soft and flattering and everything just comes to life.
10. Remember, it’s your day
It is one of the most special days you will ever experience, and it goes by so fast. Your photographer will do everything they can to capture it as beautifully as possible. Things might not go 100% according to plan. It might rain or the guests might not be there on time. Do not stress. Be fully present in the moment and enjoy every second with your new husband or wife :)
