How to Get The Most Out of Your Photographers
You’ve booked your wedding photographer. They know when and where the wedding is, your names and a general idea of the vibe - that’s all they need, right? I mean, technically yes. A photographer can just rock up on the day and ‘wing’ it. However, after investing a decent chunk of your wedding budget into photography, wouldn’t it be best to give them the best chance they have of capturing it the way you hope?
A good photographer knows how to take a great photo, and they are using all parts of their brain staying completely aware of what’s happening around them to make sure they don’t miss any special moments. You will certainly get beautiful photos, but wouldn’t you prefer photos that tug at your heart strings and send you right back into the day and perfectly highlight what means the most tp you?
We’ve been in this wedding photography game for a few years now, and we’ve picked up on a few things that really make a difference on our end capturing a day the best we can. Here’s the check list:
Make sure you meet your photographers before the day!
This is the one thing that is a non-negotiable for us now. We have shot weddings in the past where we are meeting the couple for the first time on the day, and I’m just going to call it how it is. It’s awkward for everyone. We are there to draw out your emotions and encourage you to be vulnerable - and it’s so hard to make that happen the first time you meet! Especially when there is so much else going on. Obviously if meeting is not possible due to long distance, organise a FaceTime or Skype call. Just make sure you have a face to face before the day!!!
If you have the time, meet your photographers before booking with them too! We stand by this. If we meet a couple and our personalities just don’t work it’s probably not smart to go ahead for the day. We would much prefer you book a photographer that you feel comfortable with!
STORY TIME
We shot a small intimate wedding in New Zealand in July last year. We had coffee, phone calls, messaging all throughout the engagement season. The night before the wedding we caught up for dinner at Lord of the Fries in Queenstown. There were no seats, but a standing heater. So we all sat on the ground eating burgers around this heater chatting all about the day, getting excited! And to this day it is one of the most relaxed days we’ve ever photographed. There was a trust built and an ease that completely removed any stress about photography on the day. They trusted us, and we felt like we were photographing our close friends. They are some of our favourite photos to this day. It proved to us that being comfortable is everything!
Engagement Session
If you aren’t completely comfortable in front of the camera (90% of our couples say they aren’t) book in an engagement session. It may seem super daunting and out of your comfort zone, but it will make you (and your photographer) feel a billion times more relaxed on the day. Usually you will leave an engagement session thinking ‘ooh, that was weird. I hope they got at least a few decent photos’ and then you receive the photos and are blown away - and your trust in your photographer grows dramatically and on the day you are completely relaxed! Also, it’s kinda nice having professional photos that aren’t just wedding photos.
Keep them in the loop with planning your timeline
We aren’t trying to sound selfish when we say to plan your timeline around photos - it’s just what typically happens. The hour away having your bridal party + couple photos done is usually the point of the day that we build a wedding schedule around. Why? Because that golden hour is the thing that will give you flawless wedding photos. The soft, dewy vibes. Ooof, that’s the good stuff. So give your photographer a call and plan out the timeline together. They will have been to a few weddings and will very easily be able to formulate a plan with you taking all of your desires into consideration e.g. more time with guests, travel etc!
Venue walkthrough
If you are getting married and a completely out of the box venue, or a new venue for the photographer, please consider doing a walkthrough with them. It’s not always necessary, but it’s worth offering it! If you’re doing more of a DIY wedding they will be able to suggest where to place the ceremony, arbour and other bits and pieces in ideal lighting.
A list of ‘out of the norm’ photos / inspiration photos
You don’t need to send list like this:
1. Dress
2. Shoes
3. Dress and shoes together
4. The Kiss
5. First Dance
But a list like:
1. Aunty + Uncle who travelled from overseas
2. Handkerchief in grooms pocket (sentimental)
3. Photo of all guests
A photographer knows the standard photos to get already - it’s the unique and personalised ones that is worth giving them a heads up on. Also, if you’ve saved any inspiration photos on Instagram or Pinterest of posing that you like, be sure to show your photographer them too, to give them an idea of what appeals to you!
Keep communication open on the day
Keep talking to your photographers throughout the day. If there’s a photo you want, ASK. We will not be offended if you ask us to photograph something! We welcome it, because we would hate to miss something you want. We are looking out for moments and specifically watching those that are closest to you, however no one knows better what’s of top priority than you. Ask - we’d hate for you to regret not asking.
That’s a list of some of the best things you can do before the day. All of that being said, you don’t have to do all of them! The bottom-line of it all is that you need to find a photographer that isn’t just a good price and gives an alright product, you need someone who makes you feel comfortable. When you go to book your photographer, don’t pick based on the quote - give them a call, catch up for coffee and see if it ‘feels right’. That sounds so bizarre, but trust us. It’s everything.