How to get the best wedding photos, Pt. 2

There are endless options to consider when planning a wedding. The dress, cake, dinner, and not to mention all the little cute extras.

Most of those things won’t be kept after the wedding day is over. So, what are some of the things that will stick around for the entire marriage? The dress, for sure. And the photos.

Call me biased (I am a photographer, after all!), but I think the photos are one of the most important things because they are powerful reminders of your wedding. Your children will pour over the photos in curiosity. On your wedding anniversaries, you’ll probably bring out the book and re-live your day. And for sure, you will show it to your friends and family who were unable to attend your wedding.

There is one sure way to get great wedding photos.

Hire an experienced, professional photographer. You want to be sure your wedding day photos really show what your wedding was all about. I’m always happy when a couple tell me they have found a professional photographer whose style they are excited to work with.

What makes me and every other pro cringe is when a couple says they have decided to have a friend or a family member photograph their wedding. “Really?” I want to say. “Why are you trusting something so important to someone who is not a professional? Do you want to risk having mediocre (or terrible) wedding day photos?”

But it’s my job as a professional to educate people about why they should hire a pro.

Well, here goes. You should hire a pro photographer to shoot your wedding, because as a pro, I …

- have a vested interest in doing a fantastic job – my livelihood relies on it
- won’t spend the time visiting with guests – I’ll be there to work
- use professional equipment and professional photo labs
- will have backup equipment in case something fails
- will have a backup pro photographer in an extreme emergency
- have experience shooting weddings and working with the flow of the day
- will anticipate candid moments and capture them
- provide you with a beautiful finished product – a press-printed book telling your wedding story through photos and words

That's one stress-free way to make sure you get great wedding photos. Hire a pro!

How to get the best wedding photos, Pt.1

I’ve been busy this month meeting with brides and grooms, all eager to have their wedding details sorted out. I remember from my wedding when I nailed down each organizational detail, I breathed a big sigh of relief. One less thing to worry about!

I always want to talk with a bride and groom about timing. Typically, photos are taken between the ceremony and the reception. There is a bit of a juggling act here, as you want to be sure you have enough time to take all the necessary photos, but on the other hand, you don’t want your out-of town guests sitting around waiting for you for too long.

I typically recommend an hour and a half for photos of the bride’s immediate family, the groom’s immediate family, the wedding party and the bride and groom session alone.

This time might be longer if...

you consider:

• Traveling time – this is not included in the one and a half estimate. You’ll have to add more time if multiple carloads of people have to arrive before photos can begin.
• Large families or a large wedding party - more people in the photos means more organizing of those people. Often someone goes missing, others get caught up in talking with each other, etc.
• More group photos – if you want more than just your immediate family captured, or want several different combinations of people, you’ll need more time, as well.
• Children – Cute, but not always cooperative when a camera is pointed their way. Factor in more time for more children, especially the younger they are.

If you take all the above into consideration, you won’t be rushed during the photo session, and you’ll be in great shape if anything unexpected happens. If the times flies and the group photos are a done sooner than expected, you would have time to mingle a bit with your guests before the reception begins.

Or, you could take a few unexpected and precious minutes to spend some time alone with your new spouse on your wedding day.