Everyone wants their wedding photos to look elegant, relaxed and picture-perfect. But worrying about how to get the most out of your wedding photography can make you super nervous! I know how stressful planning a wedding can be – and I also understand that hiring a wedding photographer is a serious investment, so of course you want to get the best possible results on the day.
I often see couples who feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, or are worried about getting all the shots they need. Just know that your wedding photographer is there to help – think of them as your trusted companion to guide you through the day.
It also helps to be prepared with a few tips for getting the most out of your wedding photographer. To make sure you get those memorable wedding images you’ll treasure forever, here are a few of my top wedding day photography tips.
Let’s get to know each other – communication is key!
Wondering how to get the most out of your wedding photographer? Here’s my top tip: communicating and chatting to them in advance about what photos are most important to you is absolutely vital.
Your photographer is a skilled professional, but they also can’t predict what’s most important to you, so feel free to tell them. Which photos are most essential to you – your grandparents slow-dancing at the reception? That special cocktail you’re serving to guests? The gorgeous hero photo as you walk back down the aisle together? There will be so many special parts to your day, so it’s a great idea to flag these with your photographer in advance.
Of course, your photographer will know instinctively what type of photos most couples love, but it does help to give them a heads up about any particular moments you want to preserve.
Chat to your photographer about lighting
One factor that can make or break any photo shoot is lighting. While we (sadly!) can’t control the weather on our wedding day, an experienced photographer will know how to read a venue and location to maximise the lighting.
Talk to your photographer about lighting and how you’ll set up your venue so that they can prepare their strategy. This is really important if you have to move your ceremony location for any reason – let them know how it’ll look.
Remember that even if the lighting isn’t right after your ceremony, you can always sneak out for a few minutes during the reception (especially in summer) to do a couples’ portrait session in the golden light at sunset.
It helps if your suppliers know each other
Have you hired a videographer? If so, it’s smart to connect everyone before the day so that they can have a look at your wedding timeline and get to know one another.
This way, your dream team can work together to create a cohesive, gorgeous aesthetic for all of your wedding photos and videos. But just as importantly, they can plan the day so they don’t get in one another’s way!
Deep breaths – don’t try to do too much
To get photos you’ll truly love, it helps to slow down! Often, couples try to pack too much into their timeline, especially regarding their photos. Your wedding is all about spending time with your beloved and your friends and family, so make the most of your time by limiting your portraits to just one or two locations. Your photographer can help you plan these locations in advance, so everything will be organised ahead of time.
That way, you’ll feel less rushed, and I guarantee it’ll give you better results! On wedding days, things always take longer than you think they might, so you don’t want to pack too much into your wedding timeline.
The beloved ‘getting ready’ shots
Those fun shots of you getting ready with your bridal party tend to be some of the most special moments of the day. I always love taking photos of the excitement of the morning, sometimes it’s chaotic (which is fine!) but there’s usually so much emotion during this time.
With all that said… photos in a messy space don’t look good! Your getting-ready shots will look so much nicer if you put away clutter, so try to clean off your surfaces, put luggage in the closet, and hide any dirty dishes or plates from your delicious brekkie.
Don’t worry, though – we’ll have a slot booked in ahead of time for these photos, so you’ll know when your photographer is arriving. Since they’ll need to visit both the bridal party and the groomsmen, this can be a little bit easier if you’re both getting ready within the same general area. Also check out Airbnb’s for something unique to get ready in!
Trust your photographer
If you want to know how to get the best wedding photos, it all comes down to trust in your photographer! We’ve seen it all and we know how nervous you’re feeling. However, it’s completely OK to put all your faith in your photographer and know that they’ll do an amazing job.
Most wedding photographers shoot weddings every weekend and likely know your chosen venue really well, so trust that they’ll capture beautiful shots you’ll love. For my couples, I also like to recommend some of my fave Melbourne wedding venues to help them plan, since I know that some venues work better for weddings (and photos) than others.
Yes, I know planning a wedding can feel like you’re juggling many plates – but all of your vendors and suppliers are talented, capable and experienced. After all, that’s why you hired them! Leave the hard work to your team and try to relax and enjoy your special day, soaking in all the love, beauty and merriment.
I hope this helps you learn how to get the most out of your wedding photography. If I can answer any of your questions or help you plan your Melbourne wedding day photo shoot, please drop me a line – I can’t wait to meet you!
