How to get great wedding photos working with your photographer
And as the industry of wedding photography continues to grow, so too do the expectations upon photographers to get great wedding photos.
What makes a good wedding photographer?
A good wedding photographer is able to blend into the background, only stealing focus from the bride and groom when a bit of an act is needed to get everyones attention for a big group photo.
They should be able to employ a number of different techniques and styles, using these to tailor their photography to the couple’s preferences – but also staying true to the unique vision each photographer represents in their past work. You’re not like to hire a photographer that doesnt have a good track record in the ability to get great wedding photos are you?
A good, modern photographer should also be able to put their subjects at ease, to create photos that are more natural, real and authentic. A more traditional photographer might take a different stance on this, but that’s up to your preference.
How can I help get great wedding photos and make it easier for my photographer?
There are many things you can do to improve the quality of your wedding photos by working with your photographer. Keep in mind that every wedding photographer works slightly differently so adapations need to be made, but here are a few ideas to help get great wedding photos:
- Build a relationship with your photographer.
A photographer understands that your wedding day is one of the most important events in your life and that there is an added level of vulnerability when it comes to taking intimate photos. It may be difficult to loosen up with a photographer present, but talking candidly with them while they are taking your photos can help build some trust.
Just like any relationship, the foundation of the connection between photographer and subject relies on trust. Trust your photographer, and your photos can come out a lot better. The best way to do this is meeting up with your photographer before your day, just to have a bit of a chat.
Sharing a coffee like this is the most effective way to find out if you share important personality traits and to simply find out if you’d be keen on spending any amount of time with this person – let alone your wedding day!
- Forget your photographer exists.
In modern wedding photography, if every single one of your photos is of you looking directly into the camera, then something has gone amiss. The happiest day of your life consists of more authentic and intimate moments than everyone smiling for the camera.
Allow your photographer to fade into the background so that they can take beautiful candid photos. Candid photos are just as important as photos posing for the camera. In many cases, they are more likely to recreate a real and important moment in your lives and evoke an emotion later on while reminicing about your day!
- Inform your guests of your wedding day’s rules regarding photography.
Wedding guests are often the wild card at any event and can make or break your wedding photography. Telling them how you want them to behave for the cameras, or with their own cameras can prevent any unexpected incidents. Informing them of any theme can also make it easier for the photographer to frame and take photos that everybody will love.
Another option that is becoming more and more popular at weddings is going for device-less, or ‘unplugged’ weddings. Device-less weddings prevent amateur photographers from taking photographs of their own and getting in the way of your trained professional. This can prevent the awkward pointing of camera phones blocking your actual wedding photographer from taking a photo. It can also help the guests be more in the moment, which can help create better photos.
- Make sure your photographer is coordinated with the events.
It is not uncommon at weddings for a few of the guests to come up with a beautiful surprise for the bride and groom. It can be a large gift, or a surprise performance from the bride, groom, or a beloved musician.
If the photographer is not informed of such surprises, the chances of them being able to capture that moment in all its splendour are greatly diminished. If you have a wedding planner, make sure that the photographer is made aware of their plans.
What I usually do is ask for a simple timeline of a wedding day which helps me be in position for any events that are planned for the day, and it’s often the case that if the guests are planning a surprise then someone tells me about it during the day at some point.
If they dont then my experience kicks in when I think something is going to happen and this is a big reaosn why you’d want to hire an experienced wedding photographer!
Weddings are a tender and historic moment in our lives. It is only right that you wish to capture them for all their beauty with great wedding photography. However you may decide to go about your wedding, a wedding photographer is a must. The right wedding photographer for you can make the joy of your most precious day last a very long time.
If you’re planning your wedding day, I’d love to put up my hand as an experienced wedding photographer! Whether it be in Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart, Canberra or international, you only need to check out my portfolio of previous weddings to understand that I’d be sure to get great wedding photos for you to enjoy for decades to come!
