7 Things Your Wedding Photographer and Videographer Wants You to Know
You may think, once you’ve hired a wedding photographer or videographer, there isn’t much else to do except wait for your photos to come in. But there’s so much information about your venue and your wedding in general that can be a huge help to your media team in getting the images you want. Check out these seven things your wedding photographer and videographer wants you to know!
1) You should think about what shots you want
Don’t just google a checklist of wedding shots. Figure out what formal portraits you want or if you don’t want formal portraits at all, and talk to your fiancé about what moments are most important to you both. Your photographer wants to capture the parts of your wedding day that matter most to you, so give it some thought and let them know what those moments are!
They also don’t expect you to be a professional model. Your team will direct and guide you into poses that showcase you in the best way possible. Your photographer and videographers are the only vendors that are there with you the entire day, so they have a backstage pass to your wedding day. Consider them your wedding day BFFs who will do whatever it takes to capture your vision. They’re there to observe and document the day as it unfolds. Let them help tell your love story.
2) Ask your guests to put the phones away
There’s nothing that can ruin a shot faster than a crowd of family and friends with their phones stuck in the air, or even worse–in the aisle. Phones—or your amateur photographer uncle’s camera—can get in the way of the photographer you hired catching the perfect shot. Plus, they’re a huge distraction for you and all of your guests.
It’s totally acceptable to include a note in your program or on your wedding website asking your guests to silence and put away their phones. After all, they came to watch you get married, not to record the whole event!
Another great option is to leave a moment at the end of the ceremony, where you can tell guests to snap the photos they want before you make your walk back down the aisle.
3) Check your venue’s photo policies
This is very important! Before you even book your ceremony venue, talk to them about their policies on flash photography. Some churches and houses of worship have strict no photo policies, while others allow photos as long as no flash is used. If the ceremony space is generally quite dark, this can be a huge challenge for your photographer, so be sure to let them know well ahead of time if that’s the case.
You should also determine if there are any parts of your venue where your photographer will not be allowed to go. Try to get as much access as possible so your photographer can capture your wedding from the best possible angles.
4) Your wedding day is about you
Most weddings involve input from family or friends, especially parents, but at the end of the day, your wedding is all about you and your fiancé. Find ways to incorporate your love story into your day, whether that’s taking photos at the spot where he proposed or taking some quiet time, just the two of you, in a place that’s special to you. Weddings can certainly be overwhelming, but they don’t have to be! Remember why this day is so special and take time in the day to really celebrate and enjoy the moment.
5) Be open to creative—and even unusual —ideas
Maybe your venue isn’t as picturesque as you’d like, or there’s no gorgeous natural scenery nearby. Don’t worry—that’s why you hired a professional photographer! They’ll find ways to take beautiful photos against even the plainest backgrounds. Where you may seem a dilapidated old shed, your photographer may see a rustic backdrop for your first photos as a married couple. Keep an open mind and trust your photographer to find the best spots for your photos!
6) Put some thought into your time and location
The time of your ceremony will have a huge impact on the photos you’re able to take. A ceremony just before sunset can be gorgeous, but that means that all the images captured afterward will have to be in the dark. And if you have a wedding in the middle of the day, the light may be too harsh.
Talk to your photographer and videographer about the images you’re hoping to get and what time of day would be best. And be sure to let them know of any unique issues with your venue, like dim lighting, that can cause issues for photos.
7) Trust your photographer
You hired a professional for their expertise, skill, and creativity. Let them do their job! And understand that their job involves much more than just being there for your wedding day. They’ll spend hours editing your photos and wedding film to look gorgeous, so they can present you with the best possible memories. Be open with your photographer and videographer, and talk to them about any concerns or hopes you have for your big day. After all, they want to make sure you get the best wedding photos and videos that you can cherish for years to come!