7 Things to Tell Your Wedding Photographer
Your wedding photographer has the crucial job of capturing the most important moments of your special day. Moments like walking down the aisle and exchanging vows. The speeches, your first dance and cutting the cake.
But as wedding photographers, we are also tasked with documenting all those things that you don’t get to see. Like your guests waiting in anticipation for your arrival, and the hidden excitement of your family and friends. Tender background moments, tears and laughter.
So ahead of your big day, it’s important that we know all the things that are important to you for us to capture. With this in mind, I’ve put together a list of things to tell your wedding photographer, so that you can prepare in advance to make sure nothing is missed.
1. Order of the day
An essential element of wedding photography preparation is to provide your wedding photographer with your order of the day.
It’s vital they know what’s happening, where and when, so they can be one step ahead throughout the day, ensuring that none of the key events are missed.
2. Dress code
You’ll never forget to remind your guests about your dress code, but it’s a good idea to include this on your things to tell your wedding photographer list too. After all, you don’t want your photographer to turn up to your strictly black tie looking out of place.
A wedding photographer should blend in amongst your party rather than stand out.
3. Parking
As part of your wedding photography preparation, please do make sure you let your wedding photographer know about any parking restrictions at your venues.
The last thing you want is a missing photographer who’s been delayed trying to find somewhere to park!
4. Group photographs
One of the key things to tell your wedding photographer is which group shots you’d like. Your wedding album will be something you look back on for years to come, so you’ll want to make sure you don’t leave anything out.
The more group shot wedding photos you want, the more organisation for your wedding photographer. So it’s good for to let them know so they can plan ahead.
If you have a best man, groomsman or master of ceremonies in mind to help direct your guests for your group shots, make sure you introduce them to your wedding photographer as early on as possible so they can get their heads together.
5. Family shots and face sheets
If you have a large family, or if you want to be ultra-organised with your wedding photography preparation, think about giving your wedding photographer a ‘face sheet’.
This is a handy check sheet with photos of your key guests, along with their names and relationship to you and your groom. It helps your wedding photographer understand the most important people you want to include in your wedding album.
Also, if there are any sensitive details or circumstances about your family, be sure to include this on your list of things to tell your wedding photographer, as it will affect the positioning of group shots. Examples might include family members who don’t get on, mobility issues that might affect how far a guest can walk or where they can stand, and any guests who have a strong aversion to flash lighting or having their photos taken.
6. Specific wedding photos
If you have certain shots that you want included in your wedding photos, it’s important to make sure your wedding photographer knows what they are.
It might be a particular location at your venue such as a bridge, lake or a fountain. Perhaps fine detail shots of your shoes, cake, flowers or wedding favours. The moments you spend getting ready with your bridesmaids, or the groom arriving with his best man.
Anything specific you’d like captured, be sure to let your wedding photographer know in advance.
7. Wedding day surprises
You can trust your wedding photographer with all your secrets! So if you have any surprises planned that you want to commit to memory, be sure to share them. An unannounced guest arriving from abroad; a spectacular choreographed first dance. Fireworks at sundown, or a sports car to whisk you off at midnight.
All these things make the most amazing wedding album entries, so don’t omit to let your wedding photographer know about them.
Looking for a North West wedding photographer to capture all the special moments of your big day?
There are plenty of things to tell your wedding photographer before your wedding day. It may seem daunting, but I make it my business to get to know you and find out all your requirements so that on the day, you can relax and enjoy yourself without worrying about your wedding photos.
If you are looking to create a natural style wedding storybook as a cherished memory of your special day, please take a look at what I can offer. My goal is to capture the true essence of this most wonderful day, and to provide a wedding photo album that reveals how every moment unfolded in real time, so that you can keep on recalling them for many years to come.
My portfolio shows my expertise in documentary wedding photography at numerous venues throughout the North East, and you are welcome to get in touch to find out how I can tailor a wedding photography package to suit your individual needs and wishes.
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