10 Tips for Amazing Wedding Photos that Cost You NOTHING
Chances are you already know the importance of carefully selecting a photographer for your wedding. What you may not know are these tips to get the most out of your wedding photos. They’re simple; and best of all, they cost you nothing while making the biggest impact!
1. CHOOSE YOUR POSSE
Lots of couples are misinformed when it comes to this part. They think the key to incredible photos starts with a killer photographer or an incredible location – absolutely those things help, but…
What really matters are the PEOPLE you choose to surround yourselves with.
At the end of the day, the world's most talented photographer in the most insane location can't change the people they're photographing.
So carefully choosing your peeps is imperative!
Please don't misunderstand me, I do not mean you should choose the hottest or fittest people in your friend group. Instead I recommend that you choose the people who want to be there. The ones who adore you. The ones who are going to have the most incredible time with you. If for a single moment you think a person might make the day about them, be rude or disrespectful to you or anyone else, or kill your vibe...
(Listen up! I’m about to give you the permission you may not realize you’re looking for.)
YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE THEM.
This does not mean they are bad people, or that you are a bad person. They just aren’t the right people for this job!
Instead try to choose people who get along with each other, or at the very least can be amicable for you. These people are going to spend a lot of time together and will need to be able to respectfully interact with one another. It’ll be super uncomfortable if they're throwing daggers and exchanging eye rolls – or worse, distracting you from what’s most important that day – YOUR JOY! You don't have to add negativity to any stress you may already feel.
Ok – now that we have that out of the way.
2. NO WALLFLOWERS
Lots of times inquiries include things like 'we don't like/want staged awkward photos’ 'we prefer candid natural shots.'
I hear you! I want to create an atmosphere that helps you feel relaxed so we can tell your story in a way that feels authentic to you. I want to capture your day as it was and highlight all the amazing people in your lives.
Trust me when I say, the best photos happen when there's movement. Don’t take yourselves too seriously during portrait time. It's my job to capture you looking incredible, it’s your job to relish in this beautiful moment. I’ve got you!
So, if I happen to pop on some music and say, ‘Let's dance!’ then get up and move! Don't worry; I'll be moving with you—no lame middle school side to side slow dancing. Get crazy, get lose – show off some moves you've only performed in the dimmest lit rooms, home alone while cooking/cleaning, or throw in some high school flashbacks. This is your time to shine. If you're like me and have the dance movements of a newborn moose, just do big movements, swing wide, kick up the dirt, wobble, if you have a partner swing them around, throw them up – have a wild time. That my friend is how YOU make the magic happen. Just have fun!
We won't always dance – running, walking, jumping, climbing – we'll be doing all kinds of things, but, don't worry you won't need finesse or to be in top physical condition for any of them. All you need is a can-do attitude.
3. EMBRACE IT
Unless the wind is showing everyone your undergarments, work that breeze like it's your own personal wind machine. I know you spent a lot time for your hair to stay that way, but Mother Nature is going to do her thing, you can't fight it. The best thing to do is to let it be, go crazy and stare down the camera like a mountain top god/goddess.
I know it can feel like the most annoying thing in the world when that wind or rain picks up but if I see that weather on the radar, I quietly get a little excited. I know these portraits are going to have a lot movement, moody/dramatic skies, and look insane. Movement = EPICNESS.
4. MAKE THE TIME
I know you don't want to spend too much time away from your guests. I understand, you're there to party with them!
So, let's be smart about it.
Prioritize time where you want it the most. If group photos are one of the most important things you want, be sure you make time for it.
OR
Choose a venue or location that doesn't require a lot of travel to save you time between locations. Have a cocktail hour that allows your guests to mingle, so when we slip out for photos, it won't be too obvious, and the party will continue.
The key part is planning. Create a timeline that allows you to organize a day that feels relaxed and flows – that way you're not rushing from one thing to the next and can soak it all in.
CARVE OUT MOMENTS INSTEAD OF TIME.
Moments with your family during prep, moments with your friends into the night, private moments with your lover during the day. You’re planning a day to celebrate your love; the photos are just the by-product. Get this nailed down and the photos are always going to be amazing.
5. TRUST
Photographers have a different perspective and lots of experience putting it into practice. You might be asked to try something weird, like go into a dingy dark place, but, TRUST me. I've got a vision and it's going to be good! When you tell a creative to just go for it, it gives us permission to take bigger risks and try things that haven't been done, playing it safe gives you predictable, going big gives you extraordinary and something all your own.
6. ALL ABOUT THAT LIGHT
You've probably heard photographers go on about this before, but Lighting is important! It's a Photographer's language.
Think about lighting during your planning, what time the sun will set, which rooms have the brightest light, do you have enough illumination after dark? You would be surprised what a difference a few strung lights can make to the atmosphere.
AND, I always suggest planning a little sneak away session around sunset, especially in summer, when the sunset isn't until later into the evening. This allows your guests to still enjoy themselves and you and your sweetie a moment for a few intimate photos and time together.
7. FEED ‘EM
Hangry is a real thing; I may know from personal experience...
Keeping your posse fed is vital – especially if you’re throwing back cold ones.
Make sure you to build in time to eat; grab some snacks or take a cheese platter on the road when we’re headed to portrait locations. It's a simple thing but can make a huge difference in your experience.
8. COMMUNICATE
If you have big things planned like, fireworks, smoke bombs, bareback on a horse, choreographed dance moves, drag races, air balloon drops, helicopter rides… Or even low key, intimate moments like first looks, gift reveals, etc. Tell us!
Your vendors are all about this stuff. And we're so excited to make it happen with you. Make sure you communicate early as there may be restrictions, advised locations, or times of the day that are going to work best.
Remember your venders have most likely seen something similar before or know how to make it work best for you. We love being involved with something big or special. So, if you're dreaming about something, let us know, we’d love to help.
9. LET YOUR HAIR DOWN
As your photographer, I'm here to capture you in your true form! So, get weird, let your freak flag fly… don't play shy and avoid being yourself. The best photos happen when you let your guard down and just go for it.
10. NO PROPS NEEDED
I know you’ve been scrolling Instagram and Pinterest. But don’t get overwhelmed by the things you think you need to make your wedding epic. The truth is you don’t need ‘things’ to create beautiful images.
I may use props that’s true, but they're typically random and not something you need to worry about. The best props present themselves at the most opportune time. They are the pick-up truck the groomsmen left around the corner, the golf cart your riding around in, or the bridesmaid's phone to help backlight you. It's the things that just magically appear that are a part of YOUR story and unique to your day. Of course, if you have your heart set on something specific, just let me know so we can plan on it!
So, props aren't a needed. Instead, spend time creating an environment where you're comfortable enough to be yourself, to try different things, and just have a wild time.
