Congratulations, if you’re reading this, the likelihood is you’re engaged and starting to plan your dream wedding- how exciting! Your mind is probably full of ideas about the perfect venue, the best wedding cake, and the beautiful details that will make your special day truly magical. But amidst the excitement, one thing that can be overlooked is your wedding photos.

At the beginning of your wedding planning journey, it’s easy to underestimate the importance of having stunning, professional images that capture the love and joy of your big day. After all, once the day is over, the cake will be eaten, and the flowers will wilt, but your wedding photographs will invoke the special memories of your special day and can be treasured for a lifetime.

That’s why it’s crucial to prioritize your photography and choose a wedding photographer who can guarantee you will come away with photos you love.

As an experienced photographer with over ten years of shooting weddings, I’m going to share my top tips and expert advice on how to ensure that your wedding photos are nothing short of extraordinary.

In this article, I will cover:

• Identifying your key wedding style
• Finding the perfect wedding photographer for you
• What to look for in the wedding photography contract
• The expectations you need to set with your wedding photographer
• How you can help your photographer
• Wedding posing advice
• How an engagement photo session might benefit you
• Top tips for to make sure you come away with wedding photos you love

Identify your key wedding style

The first step in ensuring you get wedding photos you will love is to identify your key wedding photography style.

There are many different wedding styles, ranging from classic to colorful, editorial to vintage, light & airy to dark & moody, and much more – so it can be challenging knowing where to start. The best way to identify which style resonates best with you is to look through Pinterest and at wedding blogs, and you’ll soon start to identify a pattern of what you like. Once you have determined your preferred wedding aesthetic, it’s important to keep it consistent throughout your wedding so everything flows and is cohesive.

If you need more help identifying your wedding style, you will find my article: ‘Key wedding photography Styles you need to know’, useful. The link is waiting for you at the end of this blog post!

Finding the perfect wedding photographer for you

Choosing the right wedding photographer for your big day is key to ensuring that you will love your wedding photos. Here’s my advice on how to find the ideal wedding photographer for you:

Hire a professional photographer who specializes in weddings

It is important to select a photographer specializing in weddings as they understand the logistics associated with photographing a wedding and know just what it takes to do the job effectively.

Match their style with yours

Choose a photographer who has the same style of photos that represent your preferred wedding aesthetic.

Get to know them before the wedding

Meeting your photographer in person or via video call is essential to see if you connect well with them before booking. Besides your wedding planner or coordinator, your photographer is one of the only suppliers with you throughout the day, so you will want to make sure you like them!

Uncover their approach to photographing a wedding

How do they approach a wedding day? Is it hands-on and traditional, mainly documentary, or a mix of the two?

What posing & guidance do they offer?

Will your photographer help with posing or leave you to it? You want to feel comfortable in front of the camera, so it’s best to have a photographer who can guide you, make you feel at ease, and help position you in a flattering way.

How much experience do they have?

Is the photographer experienced in their craft? You are more likely to come away with photos you love if your photographer has lots of experience and can adapt to any situation that may occur on a wedding day (bad weather, etc.).

What is their pricing?

Your photos are your memories, so photography is not an area in which to try to reduce costs. If cost is an issue, it might be worth booking a premium photographer for just part of the day rather than a budget photographer for the whole day. You could also book a package that includes the digital images only and add your photographer’s gift vouchers to your registry list. This way, you can purchase items like a wedding album or wall art after the wedding day.

Always ask to see full galleries

Photographers will only generally showcase their very best work on their website and social media pages, so always ask to see at least three full wedding galleries from them. It’s important to get a feel for how they photograph a whole wedding day to confirm that they can handle different lighting situations and their style is cohesive and a good fit for your vision.

Want to know more about finding a professional wedding photographer? Head over to my Blog: ‘What to Consider when Choosing a Wedding Photographer’

Read the full wedding photography contract – before you book!

Legal contracts never make for exciting reading, but they cover a lot of important information that you will want to know upfront. The things to look for in a wedding photography contract include details such as when you can expect to receive the images after the wedding, what level of retouching is undertaken, and the number of photos you can expect to receive. It’s always good to set expectations beforehand, and if you have any questions for them, make sure you ask these up front and get them confirmed in writing.

Are you unsure about what to ask your photographer? Take the uncertainty away with my FREE DOWNLOAD: Top 10 QUESTIONS to ask your PHOTOGRAPHER before booking.

Consider your venue & wedding date – surroundings & timings matter

The surroundings and timings can significantly impact your photos’ overall look and feel, so it’s essential to consider your venue and wedding date when planning. For instance, if you dream of soft light and airy photos, but your wedding venue is a rustic Scottish castle in the height of winter, you may need to adjust your expectations of how your images are going to look.

Set your expectations with your wedding photographer – communication is key

Discuss the theme/type of wedding you want

Every couple is different, so you must communicate the specific vision you have in mind for your big day with your photographer, whether that’s romantic & dreamy, classic & elegant, or relaxed & laid back. This is important because your choice will be reflective of how your photographer approaches to tell the story visually.

Provide a list of must-have wedding pictures

Let your photographer know in advance what specific photos you want. This includes a shot list for your formal group photos, any specific portrait ideas you may have, and if you have any favorite areas of your wedding venue that you want captured.

It’s also a good idea to consider putting someone from your bridal party in charge of directing everyone on the day to keep things running smoothly. The day goes by in the blink of an eye, so it’s easy to miss important moments without realizing it.

Define which family members are important

Besides the immediate wedding party (e.g., bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents), let your photographer know which other guests are important to you. Your photographer will usually capture natural documentary-style photos of your guests throughout the day so they can ensure these specific guests are documented.

Talk through any insecurities you may have with your photographer

Everyone has insecurities, but when it comes to your wedding day, you want to feel your absolute best. That’s where a skilled wedding photographer comes in, as they want to make sure you feel comfortable in front of the camera and help put you at ease. If you are feeling particularly self-conscious about something, let your photographer know. An experienced photographer will be able to use specific posing techniques to accentuate or minimize certain areas of your body.

Let them know what matters most to you

Every couple is unique and has their own set of priorities when it comes to capturing their special day. Some couples prioritize candid moments, others want to make sure every detail is captured, and some couples want both. That’s why it’s important to let your wedding photographer know what matters most to you so they can create images that reflect your vision for your wedding day.

What you can do for your photographer

Provide a timeline/schedule for the day

Your photographer will want to be prepared to capture every detail and moment, from the first look to the last dance, so make sure you share your wedding day timeline with them. This schedule should include the timing of events on the day, such as the ceremony and speeches, and any special moments you would like them to capture, like a first look or a sparkler exit. Timing is everything, and you don’t want your photographer to miss a thing!

Schedule enough time for photos

I highly recommend that you schedule enough time for your portraits on the day, so you don’t feel rushed. For this, I suggest you allow between 20 and 30 minutes for bride and groom portraits and up to 45 minutes for around ten different group shots. From my experience, a calm and relaxed atmosphere leads to the best photos and allows your photographer to be creative.

Collaborate with your photographer

As a bride or groom, it’s understandable to feel camera-shy or uncomfortable in front of the lens. That’s why it’s essential to choose a photographer who can guide you, make you feel at ease, and help you let your true personality shine through. The best photos are created when both the couple and the photographer are invested in the shot, putting in the effort to make it amazing. Trust me, as an experienced photographer, it’s worth the collaboration!

Posing

When it comes to capturing those epic wedding portraits, you will want a skilled photographer who can guide you through every detail. Even very subtle changes, from the angle of your chin to the position of your arms, can make all the difference in how you look in your photos.

Natural wedding photos, like walking hand-in-hand, and having a little dance & spin together, are always beautiful – the key is to keep it fluid. Move around, be playful, and always maintain eye contact with your partner. And, finally, almost kisses are much better for the camera than the real thing – and the bonus is you won’t have to smudge your lipstick!

Schedule an engagement photoshoot

If you’re feeling nervous about how you’ll look in your wedding photos, schedule an engagement session to ease that anxiety. You can use the engagement shoot (also known as a pre-wedding session) as a trial run for your wedding day portraits. This will give you a feel for how you and your partner work with your chosen photographer, and you’ll come away with some fantastic engagement photos in the process!

During the photoshoot, you’ll be able to assess how comfortable you feel with your photographer and if they were able to guide you in a way that makes you feel at ease. Take your engagement session as a chance to get to know your photographer better so you can communicate what poses and styles suit you best. Remember, you want to look back at your wedding pictures and love what you see.

Top Tips for making sure you will LOVE your wedding photos

Aside from everything that has been mentioned so far, here are some of my Top Tips to make sure you come away from your big day with wedding photos you will love:

Practice posing in front of a mirror

Practicing in front of a mirror is a great way of experimenting and getting comfortable with your poses and angles alone and with each other.

Get enough sleep

Staying up all night before your wedding might be tempting, but being well-rested will help you look and feel your best in your photos.

Wear makeup that matches your natural style

It is important to look like yourself on your wedding day so choose makeup that enhances your features but still feels natural and comfortable.

Incorporate personal touches

Remember to incorporate your personalities and hobbies into your wedding photos to make them unique and special to you as a couple.

Appoint someone to look out for any visual flaws

Have a trusted family member or close friend look out for any visual flaws on the big day. They can help you avoid small but noticeable imperfections like an uneven necklace pendant or an untidy pocket square, allowing you to fully enjoy your special day without any worries.

Have your couple portraits away from your guests

When it comes to your couple’s portraits it’s best to use locations away from the cocktail reception, as it allows you both to be fully present in the moment without any distractions. The groom, in particular, can feel a little awkward when asked to be loving and romantic in front of their groomsmen or mates.

In Summary

Your wedding is one of your life’s most special and memorable events, so you want to ensure that every aspect of it is captured beautifully and tells the story of your love. By following the tips and advice provided in this guide, you are now equipped with the knowledge to ensure you get great photos & wedding memories that you will adore for many years to come!

Remember to communicate openly with your photographer, collaborate with them, and remain authentic to yourselves throughout the process.

If you’re looking for an experienced wedding photographer with a passion for storytelling, I’d love to help! With over a decade of experience creating beautiful images, I strive to bring out the best in my couples through guidance and posing. From exquisite detail shots to natural documentary-style photography, I take pride in capturing every moment and emotion, leaving you with incredible memories to look back on for years to come.

Find out more about my WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES, or CONTACT ME for more information.

If you liked this article, you may also like:

Key Wedding Photography Styles you need to know

What to Consider when Choosing a Wedding Photographer

What to Expect from an Engagement Photo Session