1. Choose a photographer that fits you!
Not only do you want a photographer you are comfortable with, but whose style matches yours. Check out my past blog "6 Tips to Help Choose the Right Wedding Photographer."
2. Create a list of family photos.
Worst thing is to finally get your wedding photos and realize you forgot to take a photo with your Great Aunt Mabel who traveled 200 miles for your big day. a. Take the time to sit down and create a list of all your most important family members that you want to take photos with and send it in to your photographer in advance. This way your photographer can run down the list instead of asking you after each photo who you want to take photos with next.
3. Designate a bridesmaid or groomsmen to oversee family photos.
Choose a trusted bridesmaid/groomsmen to gather your friends and family for official photos. There will always be that one family member who will go straight to cocktails as soon as the ceremony is over…even after you have reminded them about family photos. Choose someone who is loud and will take charge of your family members. Although your photographer will try their best to keep everyone in one place while they take portraits, they can’t stop Uncle Bob from getting a beer and wondering around while trying to pose your new in-laws.
4. Create a staging area for your bridal party.
There is nothing worse than having a beautiful bridal suite only to end up with everyone's belongings in the background. Although an experienced photographer can often blur backgrounds and photograph at angles, a room clear of random items will help provide a larger variety of images in your wedding gallery. Does your bridal suite have a large mirror or large, beautiful window you would like to take a photo in front of? Keeping the area clear will also save your photographer time.
5. Keep details close by and all together.
One of my favorite photos to take is the detail shot. The photo with the jewelry, shoes, flowers, and invitation. Keep those together on the day of your wedding to help save time. This way we don’t have to worry about tracking each item down.
6. Overestimate the time you need.
Your hair and makeup will take a bare minimum of 2 hours. Your bridesmaids will also need plenty of time. You will have to hunt down family members. Guests will be late…etc. Keep this in mind when you are working on your timeline. When you run behind, the time you set aside for photos is usually one of the first things to be impacted. Planning on sunset photos? The sun waits for no one. It is also no fun rushing through photos. This will greatly reduce the number of portraits you will have available in your wedding gallery.
7. Trust your wedding photographer.
You picked your photographer for a reason. You like their personality and their style. When they take a photo, especially portraits, they have something specific in mind. Trust their process so they can beautifully capture one of the most important days of your life.
