Photographers Advice for Brides
Your wedding photos will last a lifetime. No pressure, right? Instead of worrying about how they will turn out, pose with confidence. Wedding professionals share some hidden desires and facts they wish brides knew before the big day.
Get to Know (and Trust) Your Photographer
• Trust matters in any relationship, including the one between you and your photographer. Your photographer wants to have a relationship with you and your groom, on both a personal and professional level. Unlike a caterer, the photographer is not a vendor hired for a job; he or she is an artist who will assist you in telling your story. On the day of your wedding, one of the most important days of your life, your photographer is going to be with you throughout the entire event. Having a relationship with that person will help you to relax when in front of the lens.
• Seeing the value in this relationship is also important to
your photographer.
• Your photographer is the professional who has experience in creating quality photos; your wedding will not be an exception to this standard of quality.
• “We got this! Relax and know that you have a professional who
will make sure your photos turn out.”—Sam Stroud
• Be honest and have a conversation with your photographer about your concerns, before the wedding. This will help you to relax and ensure your wedding day moves along seamlessly.
Own Your Own Unique Look
• If you feel awkward, own the awkwardness.
• If your photographer gives you instructions to do a specific pose or action, do it. Although you may feel uncomfortable with advice that is out of the ordinary, trust your photographer.
• “This might sound odd, but often times things that feel comfortable to us on a daily basis tend to look very awkward in photos. My biggest piece of advice for this is to follow the instructions that the photographer gives but remember not to look too stiff or uptight.” —Audra Rygh
• When selecting your wedding gown, select a dress that flatters your body type, makes you feel confident, and resembles who you are. If you feel uncomfortable in your dress, it will translate into your photos.
• When taking bridal portraits, don’t hide behind your wedding bouquet. Show off!
• Be timeless. Make sure that you are not swept up in a wedding fad.
• “When it comes down to the wedding theme and your wedding look, be true to you. Because that is when you are the most beautiful.”—Sam Stroud
Make the Time to Make the Memories
• “When creating the wedding day schedule, create a timeline that caters to photography.” —Adam Barnes
• Creating a timeline that takes into account the needed space for the creative process will help the day to flow seamlessly, making you more relaxed. It will also give your photographer the freedom to artistically capture the wedding day you have planned.
• If you are unsure about the time needed for photos, ask your photographer for input.
• “Take your time, because rushing will result in very lackluster photos.”—Audra Rygh
• Communicate with your photographer to come up with a rainy day plan. “The more information I have, the better I can plan if we need to readjust.”—Audra Rygh
• Before the photographer is scheduled to arrive, have the details arranged. Completing this task will maximize the time before the wedding day events begin and will help your photographer’s day progress smoothly.
• “The details excite me because it gives me something so intricate to capture in combination with all of the fun and excitement that is happening on the wedding day.”—Audra Rygh
A few more ideas from photographers…
• Understanding the artist or the photographer’s style is important in determining if their flair matches the vision you have in mind.
• Never begin a sentence with the words, “So, I saw this idea on Pinterest.” You hired an artist to capture your day, so don’t kill your photographer’s creativity.
Trust your photographer, giving free reign to explore and capture the true spirit of your wedding day.
With that, leave the expectations at the door.
• “Having the lighting be as natural as possible will produce flawless photos.”—Adam Barnes
• When getting ready, keep the room as clean as possible. You don’t want your empty coffee cup and lunch in the background of your wedding photos.
• Work with your photographer to create a list of the immediate family members you want portraits with. Most times, you will spend more time tracking down each family member. So, think of whom you really want in your album and framed on your wall. Use the time during the reception to capture the photo with your extended family and guests.
By Michelle Wood
