Are you having trouble describing your wedding photography “vision”?
- START WITH THE STYLE OF THE WEDDING ITSELF
Planning a wedding is an extensive process, and there are so many decisions to make along the way. What your colors will be, what flowers you’ll have, who your wedding party will consist of, what they’ll wear, what you’ll where, the venue, the special touches that make the venue your own; it’s all so very intense. But as you work your way through that list of decisions and make the selections that feel the most true to you and your style, that perfect wedding starts to take shape before your very eyes. It’s your “vision” and it is uniquely yours!
Ok, but I don’t know how to describe my wedding style!
Your wedding style will often dictate your photography style. Once you can describe the vibe of your wedding day, you’ll naturally be able to find the words to describe it to a photographer. Use the following samples to help you begin to craft your own personal “style statement”:
Personal Style Statements:
“Our wedding will be a whimsical garden affair, with lush florals, fairy lights, and a touch of bohemian charm. Guests will be greeted with artisanal cocktails and live acoustic music, creating a relaxed and enchanting atmosphere under the stars.”
“WE WILL HAVE a glamorous black-tie affair set in a historic ITALIAN ballroom, dripping with old-world charm. From the grand entrance to the champagne tower, every detail exudes sophistication and timeless elegance, making it a night to remember for all who attend.”
“Our wedding will be a laid-back ISLAND celebration, with toes in the sand and salty breeze in the air. Think barefoot vows, colorful umbrellas, and a seafood feast under a canopy of palm trees onn the beach, capturing the essence of coastal living and carefree love.”
“WE ARE HAVING aN ORGANIC TENTED wedding, where vintage meets modern romance. With lights twinkling overhead and long wooden tables, our day will be filled with laughter, love, and down-home comfort.”
“Our wedding will be a cultural fusion; blending traditions from both our backgrounds into a vibrant and eclectic celebration. From the colorful décor to the diverse cuisine and spirited dance performances, it’s a testament to our love and the unity of our families.”
Find a photographer that matches your “style statement”
All photographers have their (different) preferred style they work within. Some specialize in heavily stylized and posed shoots, while others, like myself, veer more in the direction of more candid/emotional photography: photos that touch your soul, lift your spirits, and embraces all those moments in between.
Choosing a photographer who shares your preferred general style is the first thing you should be focused on. Usually you will find information about a photographer’s style or aesthetic on their ABOUT PAGE.
Once you’ve done that, though, how exactly do you get your point across?
You need the VOCABULARY.
Sure, but how do I actually explain our wedding style to a photographer?
2. FIND THE WORDS TO USE
You found the style of photography you prefer, now how do you explain exactly what you want ?
Well, believe it or not, the best way to do that is to talk with your potential photographer and discuss everything. Discuss your goals, your worries, and your ideas. Then let that photographer add their own ideas to the mix. You may not need to worry about finding the right words at all!
Some people have a long list of what they want out of their photography. Others are more willing to give a vague idea and trust the photographer to capture the moment.
And your photographer should be asking YOU questions as well! It isn’t all on you to figure this out. This type of discussion should definitely be a two-way street!
the VOCABULARY
- light and airy, dark and moody, or realism?
- natural or retouched ?
- casual, formal, or somewhere in the middle?
- a highly custom service or just shoot and deliver?
- digital files only or printed fine art?
- posed, candid, or a combo?
- formal, fun, relaxed, wild?
- directive, hands-off, or some of both?
- a new bestie, keep our distance, or a little of both?
- all color, all black and white, or a bit of each?
- whimsical, enchanting, glamorous, timeless, elegant, carefree, spirited, sophisticated
All photographers have their (different) preferred style they work within. Some specialize in heavily stylized and posed shoots, while others, like myself, veer more in the direction of more candid/emotional photography—photos that touch your soul and transport you right back in time.
Choosing a photographer who shares your preferred general style is the first thing you should be focused on. Usually you will find information about a photographer’s style on their ABOUT PAGE.
Before you invite someone to photograph your wedding, ask to see a whole wedding event:
3. Review the work: VIEW A WHOLE WEDDING
After you’ve checked out a photographer’s website and Instagram account, and you see the words and aesthetic you are going for: Ask to see an entire wedding they have shot in the past.
It is all well and good to see a beautifully curated instagram feed or sample gallery/album of 30 lovely (but heavily retouched) cherry-picked images, it’s another thing to actually SEE an entire set of images from a whole wedding.
- What events/people/places were actually captured through the day?
- Does it tell the whole story of an 6-10 hour day in a way you would want it told?
- Can you follow the sequence of events? Are they in a chronological order?
- Are there photos of people, places, things, emotions?
- Do you like the lighting?
- Do you like the color tone of the photos? Will it look dated in a few years?
- Did the collection make you feel like you were transported to the event?
Things you really don’t need worry about:
- Viewing a sample wedding at your specific venue or location. Look for similar lighting and aesthetic instead.
- The clothing or decor shown is not your exact style. Look at how the clothing and decor is photographed, not for a replica of your ideas.
- The couple doesn’t look like you.
So you found your photographer soul-mate! Now it’s time to plan.
4. CREATE A DETAILED GAME PLAN
You may discover your photographer has some great ideas. They should be able to coach you on how and when to capture the best light, working with your size group, and selecting the perfect location for your photos. Sharing your vision with your photographer may produce recommendations that you had no idea existed!
Point out the most important people at the party
If Grandma is traveling from 3,000 miles away, and you want to make sure you get some pictures of her with the family—let your photographer know that! In most cases, they probably would have captured those images anyway, but knowing that getting Grandma in the shot is especially important to you can help to guide their focus. Again, that’s why communicating your vision to your wedding photographer is so important!
Should the photographer already have experience at your venue?
Some wedding articles or chat boards will tell you that your photographer needs to have photographed or visited your venue ahead of time. And although there are always exceptions, this is definitely not a requirement to receive good photos.
Our job, as a professional wedding photographer, is to have the skills to walk into ANY environment, find or create the best light, bring the right gear, and make it work!
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Is part of your wedding day vision to feel like a guest at your own event?
Want to just “go with the flow” and “be in the moment” on your wedding day? Here is the secret: You have to plan ahead with all your wedding professionals so you CAN just be in the moment.
Only REALLY GOOD advance planning allows you something priceless: to show up to your wedding and not have to tell anyone what to do. You don’t have to think about what is next. You don’t have to decide when to cut the cake. It all just magically happens in a way that feels very calm and organic.
What I don’t recommend, is to wait until the day of your wedding to begin telling your wish-list to your photographer (and other wedding professionals). Directing your photographer “in the moment” is distracting and stressful for everyone involved. Nobody likes to have to manage things they needn’t, or be managed on the actual day-of due to poor planning. Allow us to do what we do best, take care of you!
Great pre-planning allows you to enjoy all that is happening around you in real time AND FEEL LIKE a guest at your own party!
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So no matter what, even if you don’t know what to tell your wedding photographer, talk to them ahead of time. Then be willing to trust them to do their job on the day of and bring your vision for your wedding photos to life. Hopefully this article helped you understand why communicating your vision to your wedding photographer is so important!
- Know Your Vision: Your wedding photos should reflect your unique style and preferences. Communicate your vision clearly to your photographer.
- Review Portfolios: Look at your photographer’s complete portfolio, not just curated highlights. Ensure their style aligns with your vision for your wedding day.
- Plan Ahead: Pre-planning with your photographer and other vendors ensures a smooth wedding day. Let them handle the details so you can enjoy every moment as a guest.
- Trust Your Photographer: Once you’ve communicated your vision, trust your photographer to bring it to life. Allow them the freedom to capture your day authentically.
- Be Present: Enjoy your wedding day fully by allowing your photographer to handle the details. Be a guest at your own wedding and soak in every moment.
- Pre-Planning is Key: Don’t wait until the last minute to discuss your photography wishes. Plan ahead to ensure your photographer understands your vision and can execute it flawlessly.
- Communication is Vital: Keep the lines of communication open with your photographer. Discuss your expectations and preferences beforehand to avoid any misunderstandings on the big day.
- Enjoy the Moment: Trust in your photographer’s expertise and focus on enjoying your wedding day. Let them capture the magic while you make memories with your loved ones.
- Memories That Last: Investing in quality wedding photography ensures you’ll have beautiful memories to cherish forever. Choose a photographer who understands your vision and can deliver stunning images that reflect your love story.
- JENNIFER DERY is a San Diego based, wedding, engagement, and family photographer. You can hire her for your wedding too!
