I have been photographing weddings for many years. I thought I would share a few of my wedding photography tips. Here, in no particular order, are a few of my favourites to think about before your big day.
The first of my wedding photography tips is for the Groomsmen. If you have a mobile and/or car keys on you, please don’t put them in a trouser pocket. It is not a good look in the photos. Place them in the inside jacket pocket where they won’t show.
Tips for the Bridal Party
It is a good idea for the Bride to have an ’emergency’ kit to hand when getting ready and throughout the day. Here are some suggestions for things to include in your kit. A pair of nail scissors to cut hanging tags and labels. A needle, thread and safety pins are always handy. An emery board to scuff the soles of new shoes. Hair pins, as the day wears on hairstyles can need a quick fix. Plasters in case your wedding shoes begin to rub. A pack of tissues, there are always tears at a wedding. I carry all of the above items in my camera bag, there aren’t many weddings where these items don’t get used. Other useful items include a lint roller, spare shirt buttons and bra tape.
Brides, please give yourself enough time to dress. Allow at least thirty minutes to put on your bridal gown if has a backboard and lacing or tiny button fastenings. Bridal shop assistants fasten the dress at a fitting with ease. The reality on the wedding day is quite different. I usually see a nervous Mum, Sister or friend who has never actually performed this task before, let alone tried to perform it with a set of acrylic nails. A crochet hook is a handy instrument for those tiny button fastenings.
Wedding Planning Meeting
It is essential to have a wedding venue meeting with your photographer. This way you can scout out the best locations for your photos in advance. Couples who have planned the details of their photography with me end up with the best results. I also recommend to my couples that following our planning meeting they go away and do a little homework. Look on Pinterest and in Bridal magazines to find photography ideas that will work with your venue and the style you want to adopt. Also, see how couples stand together in photos, what to do with their hands, whether they at the camera or at each other, etc. This all helps your photography to flow on the day and eliminates the element of surprise.
Share your planning details with close family members and the wedding party. It is important that they are all gathered in the right place in time for the group photos. You can lose twenty minutes of your photography time if a family member has wandered off to check in to a hotel. Let them know in advance if they are required for any special photos.
And Finally…
Those of you getting married in Church, have a conversation with your Priest or Vicar as to what photography they will allow. I am often told that no photographs are to be taken in church during the ceremony. This can be upsetting for a couple if this is a part of their wedding day they especially want documented. I always ask my couples to let me know what photography will be allowed for their wedding service, thus avoiding any disappointment.
Another good wedding photography tip is to buy yourself a wedding brolly. I work on the assumption that if you have purchased a brolly to keep the rain off during your bride and groom shots, you will never actually need it. Very rarely has this proved me wrong. And, anyway, a few brolly and welly shots can be fun.
Finally, do keep your photographer updated with all your wedding plans, we hate to miss a photo opportunity on the day.
I hope you have found my tips and suggestions for your wedding photography helpful. If you have a wedding planned and would like some further information please get in touch.
Two wedding photographers or one? This is always a dilemma for couples booking an all day wedding photography package.
In all my years as a wedding photographer I have seen the wedding industry and imaging technology change beyond belief. However, I still find it impossible to be in two places at one time!
I spend considerable time planning each wedding with my bride and groom and yet it is often still tricky to capture every moment of their special day. On occasions where everything is in one venue it is possible to document most of the details of the day. However, as soon as there is more than one venue in the mix logistics become difficult.
One of the major problems is traffic. Only last week I was photographing Zoe and Simon’s wedding at the recently refurbished Frensham Pond Hotel. Thank goodness for my second photographer! Myself and the bridal party were stuck in holiday gridlock somewhere in Hampshire. We arrived at the venue forty five minutes late for the ceremony. Luckily my second photographer was able to keep shooting and reassure the registrars that we were on our way.
Another advantage of two wedding photographers rather than one at the start of the day is being able to capture the bride and the groom’s morning preparations. This is a great time for some fun photos with all the Groomsmen and a chance to see both sides of the wedding day story. After all the Groom is just as important as the Bride.
What I especially love about weddings with two photographers is the range of shots captured. It allows for all the detail shots, candid guest shots, a selection of shots from quirky angles and a different perspective of the day. Earlier this month I especially enjoyed working as a second shooter at Sophie and Chris’s wedding at Hilles House. A different perspective on the day for me. Allowing me to capture the Groom and his party meeting up in the pub for a pint. As well as photos from the back of the church, guests chatting amongst themselves and some quirky group photos.
At the end of the day the decision for one or two wedding photographers lies firmly with the client and what their budget will allow.
