Wedding photographs may be the most significant investments you will make on your wedding day. That said, you want to make sure that you are making the most out of the person you decide to hire. While you want to leave the artistic design up to your savvy picture taker, there are some things you should be aware of and prepare for ahead of time.
Below are seven tips to help you make the most of your wedding photographer. If you follow these simple tricks, you will be blown away by the quality of your images, and you will ensure that you are not wasting a single cent of your wedding budget!
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Plan ahead
No matter how many plans you make, your wedding day will never run on schedule. The best thing you can do is to start your day early. You will feel more relaxed, you will have time to enjoy every aspect of it, and it will prepare you for any scheduling issues that will inevitably come up. That said, plan for your photographer to start their day early too. By the time you wake up, your wedding photographer should be arriving.
Getting behind or booking your photographer to come when you have scheduled to begin the “getting ready” process can be detrimental to how many images you may receive. A good photographer will only send you good shots, and the less time they have to capture every moment of your day, the less you will take away.
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Prepare for proper lighting
Good photographs are all about good lighting and, on your wedding day, lighting will be your best friend. If possible, the best time to schedule your official bridal photos is in the hour before sunset, better known as the “golden hour.” Unlike the morning or afternoon where the sun casts harsh and unflattering lighting, this time of day provides warm, flattering light that easily translates from reality to memory. Not to mention that sunset may also be the most romantic time of day as well.
Additionally, when preparing for proper lighting, you want to consider the possibility of inclement weather driving your festivities inside. Plan ahead and make sure you have the correct lights available to cast the perfect shadow and bring the perfect glow to your photos.
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Hire a secondary photographer
Hiring a second photographer is becoming a wedding standard. It is almost impossible for one person to capture every single moment of a wedding on their own, so when you begin looking at options for photographers, you may want to consider companies who can provide two people to cover your event, or even more! Just think; one photographer for the bride, one for the groom, and twice as many memories of your special day.
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Trust your photographer
Weddings are a once-in-a-lifetime event, so trust your photographer. They are working in your best interest, and it is their job to help you capture creative and exciting images. It is essential to communicate your photo vision to your photographer, but to also listen when they suggest locations, props, or poses. Bringing an open and adventurous mind to your day will for sure help you make the most out of your wedding photographer.
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Pick your photo locations ahead of time
Besides trusting in the artistic integrity of your photographer, when selecting your ceremony and reception locations, try and keep an eye out for places that have real photographic potential. If you already have a particular location in mind, it might be good to focus on looking at venues nearby or even hosting your event on site. It is also vital to have pre-selected props ready to go and planned ahead of time, so you don’t add unnecessary stress on an already busy day. Doing this will also ensure that you are not wasting valuable time better spent in front of the lens of your photographer.
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Have an engagement photo shoot
Other than receiving some great photos, an engagement photo shoot will help you bond with your photographer and see if you even like their style of photography. If you don’t, it is good to know that before the big day and will give you time to find someone new. Having an engagement session also gives you the chance to get comfortable being photographed and will give your photographer a chance to see how you react in front of a camera.
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Have fun
It is your time to celebrate! Despite a busy and even stressful day, it is important to remember to take some time to enjoy yourself. Find some unique places to spend a quiet moment with your other half, laugh, cry, and live your best life; after all, the best photos are inevitably going to be captured in these moments.
To book a wedding photographer to capture your special day, call Piper Studios today at (905) 265-1555 or contact us here.