In many ways, of all the things you budget for in a wedding, the photographer and your pictures might be one of the most important. The pictures are a lasting memento of that day, a way to re-live the memories, share fun times with loved ones who might not have been able to make it, and capture moments that you, as the bride, weren’t able to see during the day of the event.
But how do you make sure you end up with pictures that look great, and the shots that you want? Taking time to plan ahead and having some patience on the day of can make a big difference in the outcomes you get on the big day.
Meet with the Photographer Ahead of the Wedding
The first step is to meet with your photographer before the big day. “A lot of times, a bride has ideas of what types of photos she wants, things that she’s seen other women do and post on Pinterest or Instagram,” says Jennifer Kleinheksel of Jennifer K Photography. “Rather than telling your photographer what poses you want the day of the wedding, it’s better to meet ahead of time and go over the schedule for the day and what poses and set-ups you would like included.”
Why is it important for the photographer to know these requests ahead of time? Most of the time, a professional wedding photographer will have their own workflow, having figured out the most efficient way to get the traditional poses and group photos done, as well as other styles of photos that are popular. If a bride comes in with specific set-ups and requests that day, it can throw off the flow. “If you get sidetracked, it might cause the photographer to miss some other important shots, or take longer than planned and leave your guests waiting around at the reception,” Kleinheksel says.
Relax and Enjoy the Moment
There’s a lot going on the day of the wedding, and many brides are stressed out. But it will help you get pictures you love if you can relax a little and just have fun with the process of the photo shoot. When you’re happy and in love, those emotions show through in the pictures, through your facial expressions, and the way you lean in and interact with each other.
Just don’t relax so much that you’re slouching! Having good posture is imperative for good pictures. Your photographer will remind you that day of how to stand, how to hold your bouquet, and even the little things like remembering to take that smart watch off your wrist.
Memories for a Lifetime
You might not be thinking much about the future when planning your wedding. After all, just getting all the details together for the one day can be all-consuming. But when meeting with your photographer, think about how you want your photographs after the event. It’s common for brides to get a DVD or online gallery shared with them from the photographer of edited photos after the event. And while those digital images are great to share on social media, you might also consider some prints as well. Many photographers will offer a package with a photo album, which is a great keepsake you can look back on for years to come.
