I’m writing a little educational post today about things to consider to maximize your photography coverage.
Loads of questions come in from couples about how to fit fantastic photography in the time they have been given. I always suggest getting a good coordinator, but apart from that there are a few tips I can give you to maximize the opportunity for great images. These simple tips put into to play BEFORE you have finalized your plans will help you get the best images possible.
1. PARTICIPATE
First of all, getting great photos from your wedding is easy with your cooperation. Yes, that is right, you have to participate! No, not like a fashion model, but yes, it takes two (or three) to tango! The more you give of your personality, the more you will get back. This will be true with both the engagement session and the wedding day. If you can relax a little bit, forget what is stressing you out or what your partner is doing/not doing, your images will immediately improve. If somehow you can let go, be silly and not worry about how you look then your images will rock! It is really that simple.
2. TIME
Another way to ensure great images is giving yourself the gift of time. With wedding budgets soaring it is so easy to try and shave off that extra time, but please don’t do it at the expense of the photos. Keep the getting ready time, have family come early or even extend the cocktail hour. The photos are what you will have left to remember your day by, make them count! The best thing you could do is talk to your photographer before you have the time line all decided and set in stone. Many of my clients inquire with me before they even secure their weddings locations just to make sure the time line they have in mind will work for the photography coverage they want.
3. AFTER-WEDDING SHOOT
Most of my couples prefer a photojournalistic or candid approach to photographing the wedding day… BUT most couples also want some portrait type images of themselves to commemorate how darn good they look all dressed up. The answer? A post wedding portrait session! We’ll do a few images at the wedding (family too), but keep the majority of the session for another day altogether. If you don’t want to see each other before the wedding AND you want to attend cocktail hour this is a great solution! Even better, you won’t be worrying about getting the dress dirty or getting back to the reception. For complicated events this can truly save the day. If you are interested in a post-wedding session just let me know and I can tell you how it all works. This isn’t required of course, but keep it in mind as a fun alternative.
4. INCLUDE THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Bottom line, the more you include your photographer in the planning process, the better your images will be. When you are talking with your coordinator about the lighting plan, talk to me also! When you are considering only using amber lights in a room, talk to me first! If you are thinking that it would be nice to be married with just candle light talk to me about the logistics and what your images will look like. The more you tell me the more I can help you get great photos, simple as that.
The nice thing about weddings is that there really are no rules… There are only consequences. If you want to break all the rules go for it! You don’t HAVE to do anything you don’t want to… Except remember to tell me your ideas!