Planning a wedding means coordinating with a variety of vendors, including florists, bakers, and bridal boutiques, and for many of them, the bulk of their job is done before the event takes place. Not so with wedding photographers. They’re there with you on the big day. They’re taking pictures of you, the bridal party, your family, and your guests, from the sneak peeks before while everyone’s getting ready to the last hurrah of the reception. They’re documenting everything so you have something tangible to stay with you and look back on in years to come.
So what do you need to know to make sure to get the pictures you want from the day of the wedding? Legacy Stables and Events talked with Jennifer Kleinheksel, owner of Jennifer K Photography in Elkin, NC, to share her advice on what bridal couples need to know to get the best pictures of their wedding day.
Be honest about what you want. Many blogs and articles recommend doing research before you meet with the photographer. You’ve done the work and spent time figuring out what style of photos you want, but unless you communicate that with your photographer, you won’t get the results you’re dreaming of. Photographers aren’t mind readers. Bring in examples, show them other pictures that you like, and most importantly, talk to the photographer about why you prefer one style over another.
Plan ahead, and write it all down. Candid shots from the reception are great, but you also want to make sure to get the meaningful pictures of your wedding party and your family that we traditionally associate with weddings. The best way to ensure you get pictures of everyone is to write it all down ahead of time. You might even take the time to make a spreadsheet. You don’t want to be two weeks past the wedding and realize you forgot to get a picture of all four generations of the women on the bride’s side of the family while they were dressed up and in the same place. List it all out, specifically who you want in each group shot. And then designate one person to be in charge of getting those people lined up so they’re ready to be posed when the time comes.
Timing is everything. And guests are waiting. Once you have your list of the “must-have” pictures, figure out which ones you can do before the ceremony. People do expect to wait while you take pictures after the ceremony, but you don’t want to take too much time, remember they’re eager to greet the happy couple, and of course, eat! Trust your photographer when they tell you how much time things will take, and let them make recommendations for how to split the list. They’ve done a lot of weddings and they know what to expect.
The same goes for the “getting ready” pictures. Lean on your photographer and their expertise to help schedule this part of the day. You don’t want to save everything for the last minute. That last hour before the wedding goes by extremely fast, with all the last-minute things you have to do. If you want to have the photographer there taking pictures, make sure you allow them time to get the pictures you would like.
Ask guests to unplug during the ceremony. Everyone has a camera on them these days, thanks to the proliferation of smartphones. But remember, you’re paying a professional photographer to be there to document the wedding. Don’t run the risk of someone standing up to capture the “first kiss” and getting right in front of the photographer’s line of sight. Or having flashes go off at random times during the ceremony, taking away from the delicate balance of lighting the photographer set up. Politely ask people to refrain from videos or pictures during the ceremony. Then they can have as much fun with pictures during the reception as they want!
Remember, you get what you pay for. You might have a friend with a good camera who willingly offers to take pictures of your wedding. Or maybe you want to save some money for the honeymoon and choose to hire a photographer who doesn’t charge as much because they’re still working to get wedding experience. Everyone has their own budget and priorities, and you can get some good photographs from either option. But you’re also taking a risk. To ensure you have a good number of high-quality pictures that you’ll be proud to share, look for a professional photographer with wedding experience. Working with someone who has shot weddings at Legacy Stables and Events is another plus, as they know the venue and can plan accordingly. Budget conscious bridal couples can work with photographers to find a package that fits their needs. And remember, when going over the costs, the photographer isn’t only working the day of the wedding. Photographers spend hours going through the photos of the day, picking out the best shots, and editing them to look spectacular.
Not sure where to start? We have a list of preferred vendors that work with us at Legacy Stables and Events. When you plan your wedding with us we can suggest photographers to contact who know our venue inside and out. They know the lighting, the layout of the estate, and the perfect places to get the shots that make your special day really shine.
Photo Credit: Danielle Flake Photography
