Lets face it. Your wedding day is going to be awesome! That’s why it’s super important to plan your photos well to make sure it stays awesome. In this guide I will be covering when to take your photos, who to have in them, where to have your photos and what to do in your photos.
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When to take your photos and who to have in them?
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This is going to be essential for the smooth running and enjoyment of your day. Have you ever been to a wedding and sat around wondering when dinner is going to be served sipping too many drinks while the photographer hogs the bride and groom for 3 hours? You don’t want this to be your wedding.
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When to take them?
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Essentially you want to spend as much time as possible celebrating with your guests, being chased by flower girls and eating as many ice-creams as you can from that cool (no pun intended) Ice-cream van you hired.
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As for when to do your photographs it will largely depend on when your ceremony takes place and the time of year. Straight after your ceremony is not a good idea as you will want spend some time greeting your guests and celebrating with your favourite people. The best times of day are later afternoon or towards the end of the day, especially when the sun is setting for beautiful soft and golden lighting. Mid day tends to cast harsh shadows on faces and you don’t want to be squinting into the sun. Also, after your meal, photos at sunset or at night can be beautiful if you have a spare 15 minuted away from all the fun. It’s also a great time to get your head showered and spend some time together if you need a minute or two to yourselves. All in all I would plan an hour to an hour and a half for photos with the possibility of more later on.
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Who to have in them?
So as for who to have in your photos I recommend keeping them to a minimum. I would suggest your wedding party (brides maids & grooms men) and close family only. Any other photos with guests can be taken at the reception venue. This means you are not waiting around while your best man spends 20 minutes looking for lost relatives. Once the group photos are done we are ready to have some fun with your bride and groom shots!
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Where to have your photos?
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You want your wedding photos to be awesome! Thats why a great location can help to make them stand out. Planning big and not being afraid to get your dress a little dirty will certainly help. Hopefully this location will be close to your ceremony or reception venue as too much travel will detract from your day.
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What to do in your photos?
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I dislike overly staged and posed photos. I love to capture the personality and love between the couples in my shoots. I may give a few pointers and tips but I want you to be yourselves and feel comfortable in front of my camera, and that’s what comes through in my photos. So relax, dance together, laugh, and enjoy each others company. A good way to get comfortable having your photo taken is to have a trial engagement shoot to get to know your photographer and prepare for your big day.
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These are all suggestions and observations I have made from photographing many weddings; and of course I would love to help plan with you for your day to get the most out of your photos. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!
Luke
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