If you are thinking of hiring a wedding or elopement photographer and want to be sure you get the best photos of your wedding day, there are some ideas worth noting. As a wedding photographer myself with a good backlog of weddings under my belt, there are a handful of things that can help in getting the very best out of your experience.
Wedding photographers have a wide range of styles, pricing, availability and personalities. It is worth taking the time to do your research. (Sometimes, couples choose to hire a friend or family member, which is absolutely fine. The old adage, you get what you pay for rings true here like anywhere else; tread lightly and know exactly what you’re getting if you decide to go that route.)
If you have made a decision to hire a wedding photographer, I applaud you because you are well underway to having your dream day well documented.
Consider these 20 tips to help you get the most out of your wedding photographer and best possible wedding photos -
1. ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
This is your chance to get to know us and gain a mutual rapport. Think of it as getting to know your new best friend. In most cases, we will be in the room with you getting ready, watching you experience one of life’s most momentous days, and documenting your love.
Doesn’t it make sense that we have had some connection before the actual wedding day?
Plan a date with your loved one! Date nights are always fun and why not get some photos of you having a good time?! Plan a fun activity, or just revel in each other’s company. If you are on the fence, it definitely is worth the extra time and money.
Consider using engagement photos as:
Save the date announcements
Wedding invitations
Decor for your actual wedding - framed and on display
Pro tip - If you plan to hire someone to do your hair and makeup (and don’t forget nails for rings), consider hiring them for your engagement photos. It’s a great chance to do a trial run for your big day and see how it all looks in photos and confirm it’s precisely how you want it on your wedding day!
2. WEDDING VENUE
Probably the biggest wildcard when planning a wedding or elopement is where to do it! You can burn hours making this decision. If you’re wanting an actual wedding venue instead of on the top of a mountain, plan ahead. Right now, next year’s wedding schedules are well underway and vendors are already getting booked! Your wedding or elopement photographer will be glad to assist you. Generally, they take a bigger role when the ceremony will take place out in nature. Pick a wedding photographer that is an expert in the area you choose. It really pays off to have a pro lead to you to the most epic locations, not only for the photos but for the overall experience. Think of it as your own personal tour guide. Most are thrilled to be able to help determine the outcome of the images and the setting plays a crucial role in this. Include them, if possible. Your photos will be that much richer!
If you are considering getting married or eloping in Idaho, I wrote a blog about the top Idaho wedding venues near McCall here.
Most couples choose a place that has special meaning or beauty that speaks to them. If you are using a wedding venue, smart photographers will visit your the venue ahead of time (if possible) and scope out ideal spots for photos, taking into account backdrop, weather and lighting.
3. WEDDING PLANNER / TIMELINE ASSISTANCE
Wedding planners or day-of coordinators are an invaluable resource and hands down make your day more relaxing, more special, more enjoyable. They are experienced in what works and doesn’t work. They have creative ideas and resources. Utilize them! Often people imagine having a relative or friend doing this, but it is way more realistic to hire an expert who does this for a living. It’s one of the best investments you can make towards a successful day.
I have witnessed hands-down that anytime a wedding planner is involved, the wedding immediately falls into the A+ category. I know several wedding photographers that won’t even shoot a wedding if a planner is not involved. It is a monumental thing to consider, truly bumping up a wedding to a higher-end affair.
Part of the job of your wedding photographer is to help create a realistic timeline. If a wedding planner is not involved, definitely work in conjunction with what your photographer recommends in terms of timing. They know the best time for good light and locations and will optimize your schedule so it works best for this.
Have you considered a stylist? This investment absolutely impacts the overall elevation of an image - someone is actually there to make sure the fashion looks great.
4. VENDOR ASSISTANCE / FLORALS
Florals? Always. Always. Everything becomes more special with flowers, whether simple or ornate. You can make your day that much more special when you incorporate nature’s garden into all aspects of your day. Don’t skimp on florals. They really enhance the feeling and mood of your day and are a worthwhile investment.
Pro tip: The camera catches everything. If you are considering fake flowers or greenery, don’t.
In addition to florists, wedding and elopement photographers generally have vendors they enjoy working with. Once my couples book with me, I provide them leads on vendors from florists, catering, music, etc.
5. ARBORS
As the focal point of your ceremony, your backdrop deserves thought and planning. There will be plenty of photos of you in front of it and it’s worth you making it really spectacular. People are getting super creative these days about this, and the opportunity to create something unique AND beautiful awaits. Family and friends want to help; this is a fabulous opportunity to put them to work.
6. PAPER GOODS
If you opt to send out invitations, consider the texture of paper, the style of the font and of course any colors or graphics. Even the stamps you use can be creative! The entire package is visual and we photographers love to get every visual piece that we can! Don’t forget to send an invite including the stamped envelope or better yet, set one nice one aside (without the postmark) for your photographer to document on your wedding day, along with other details.
7. DETAILS
It may seem odd if your photographer asks you to set aside some simple things for detail shots. I suggest setting a shoebox aside with things such as invitation suites, handwritten vows or letters, florals, cufflinks, shoes, jewelry, rings, sentimental items (family heirlooms), perfume, and anything that’s important to you for detail shots. These images are simple captures artistically created to adding to the complete story of your day. They may be things you might quickly forget in the future, yet shots like these compliment all the people and venue photos you will receive.
They are the first thing I work on when I arrive, and creating these flat lays allows me to begin the process of opening the window into the documentation of your day.
Fun fact: These are not only simple pieces that make up your big day, but detail shots are most sought after when submitting a wedding for publication. Magazines typically want 25% the couple + 75% details! If the wedding warrants it, I always encourage my couples to consider allowing me to submit their wedding for publication. It’s a fun bonus when it gets accepted! Of course, it’s YOUR day and keeping it private and exclusive to you is absolutely your prerogative.
8. TABLESCAPES
Tables are a fantastic opportunity to show your wedding theme and style! Settings, food and cake delight the palate as well as the eye. Food is art. The creativity here is endless.
Weddings have all budgets and I’m just as honored to document a fancy wedding with gold-rimmed china or simple picnic style elopement. The only caveat here is PLEASE avoid paper plates, plastic utensils + plastic cups!! They don’t photograph well, they are horribly wasteful / harming the environment and appear like they were an afterthought. Please consider either renting or purchasing (thrift store) dishes - you will be glad you did! Glass jars for drinks work just fine and photograph so much more nicely than red plastic cups!
While we’re on the subject of tables, consider an in-loving memory table. Here you can display photos of loved ones who we wish were sharing in our day - these are wonderful tributes to deceased family members.
Other ideas for tables are:
Gift table
Guest book
Scrapbook table
9. BRIDE FOR THE DAY
Embrace being a bride!! Getting married is a monumental thing and it’s up to you to create the best experience possible. Recruit helpers!! Whether you hire someone or you ask your sister, they want to help out! If the budget allows it, pamper yourself. If you feel good, it shows.
Things made better with extra help:
Hair
Makeup
Manicure / Pedicure
Massage
Celebrate YOU. Pre-wedding boudoir sessions remind you to celebrate yourself - in your prime, showing how vivacious you truly are! Further down the line, they show a confident, sexy woman at a monumental time in her life. They make you feel empowered. They make a fabulous gift for your partner. The experience of posing in front of the camera in this way gives the bride-to-be a deeper trust of being more comfortable in front of the camera on her wedding day. And what better reason of all - an excuse to go lingerie shopping!!
Bridal portraits are also worth considering. Often couples plan for these so the bride can wear her gown several months in advance (or another unique outfit) in a special place that is entirely different from where they actually will get married. There is so much happening on the actual wedding day, this allows the bride to be relaxed, fun and creative.
10. WEDDING PARTY
Along with the wedding comes your family and friends who have been with you through thick and thin. This is your chance to include them in your wedding day milestone. If you have bridesmaids (and groomsmen) you’ll be getting ready together so fun celebratory activities are ideal. Robes and bubbly with bridesmaids are popular and make for great photo opportunities. Popping champagne is always a win.
Toasts: If you want to have toasts during your reception, plan ahead. Ask the folks who you want to give a toast ahead of time so they have time to prepare. Limit the toast to 3-5 minutes. Finally, have the speakers stand near you so your photos capture both your reactions to the toasts as well as them giving the toast!
11. PERSONALIZED SIGNAGE
From large signs with your names and date on them, to small ring boxes, to the custom words on the soles of your shoes (!), to a personalized cake topper, to reminding your guests you’re having an unplugged ceremony - signage in all shapes and sizes shows your personality. Get creative!
12. UNPLUG
Many perfect shots are totally ruined when a guest is in view with their phone out (also) photographing the day. They are an unnecessary distraction and something the bride and groom have complete control over. We photographers are there with our cameras so your guests don’t need one. If you opt for an unplugged ceremony, not only will you be happy with the end results of your wedding gallery, you will feel confident your guests were actually present and in the moment, fully experiencing your day.
Pro tip: Be sure to have the groom and wedding party put their phones away and not just in their hip pocket. The outline of a phone in the pocket of the groom or other groomsmen is an easy thing to avoid if you plan ahead. Handing your phone over to a good friend for a bit means you might be in for some surprise of shots after the fact!
13. PETS
If the venue allows it, include your pets. They are just as big a part of your day as family members and friends. Everyone loves photos of animals, plus it’s a fun opportunity to add a festive element to them!
14. KIDS
Think like a kid! Some venues are more kid-friendly than others. The most unscripted life moments involve kids. They are your photographer’s best friend. They are hammy, playful, willing to run around and make motion. Make a point to include them in your day if you can - you won’t regret it!
Kids make adorable wedding participants including:
Ring bearers
Flower girls
15. MOTION
Simple moments are wonderful and definitely serve a purpose. Motion shows life, energy and bring excitement to images! Good photographers will keep an eye out for all things moving and be ready to capture that once-in-a-lifetime shot.
16. LIGHT
Reception lighting is often overlooked and cannot be emphasized enough! It is perhaps the biggest influence in the mood of your evening. Candles and string lights make a wonderful soft warm vibe. Keep in mind warm vs cool lights. Sometimes venues and dj’s offer colorful lights and as tempting as they are (especially blues/purples/reds) can really affect skin tones and make people look way off in the final photos. Of course, sometimes that’s the look you might be after; just be ready for a lot more wild and jazzy!
The camera loves light and reflection. If you want to add some magic to your day, the more glitter you can add, the more likely you’ll achieve it.
Consider things like:
Bubbles
String lights
Mirrors
Silver
Gold
Candles
Windows
Lights
Sequins
Sparklers
Pro - tip: Lots of couples are building a nighttime portrait session into their wedding day. By opting to go to completely different spots, you can get a more gritty look and using the flash and achieve totally different vibes from the traditional portraits!
17. BE UNIQUE
Consider doing something different that’s true to you. I had a bride this past summer who was totally down to get into the river in her wedding dress, after her ceremony. See their full wedding day here. It’s your wedding or elopement day. Do something that is YOU and you’ll look back and be glad you did. You only live once!
18. GOLDEN HOUR
The sky is a marvelous thing. The sun, the clouds, the atmosphere. I ALWAYS encourage my couples to consider sneaking away for golden hour shots. When we create a timeline, we work backward so we can be sure to incorporate this special time when the light truly becomes magical and turns golden, blue, then dark.
19. SENDOFF
There are numerous ideas for send-offs; your wedding day is YOUR day so live it fully! Pinterest is an excellent way to get some ideas for this. You don’t have to wait till the very end of your celebration for a sendoff. It can happen anytime. Have your guests throw some flower petals as you walk down the aisle after saying I DO! It really bumps up the enjoyment of the moment makes for livelier images.
Check out the bride below who rode off on her bike in her wedding dress right after their ceremony. Read their full story here as they rode off from a mountain top in Stanley down into town to their waiting friends and family.
Some creative sendoffs include:
Flowers
Rice
Bubbles
Sparklers
Cars
Horses
Human Tunnels
20. ALBUMS + PRINTS
Living in the digital age, we have come to expect everything digitally. Your special day begins to feel less than special when all you have after your big day is digital files to look at on your phone or computer. Trust me. It’s easy to say you’ll print them in the future. More often than not, this time in the future never happens. Please consider printing them and making albums soon! Better yet, recruit the expert that’s been working with you the whole way through to work their magic on the finished product; they have a vested interest in it! Long after your day is over, you will be glad you made the crossover to tangible keepsakes.
Throughout history, families have savored those tangible memories passed down through generations. By printing your photos and creating an heirloom album, you are contributing to your family’s history. This is the beginning for generations to come, a witness to your early years, to be enjoyed by you, your kids, and grandkids.
If you’ve already put a considerable amount of money into your wedding or elopement, you can certainly save money by creating a wedding album yourself. Consider having the photographer who took your photos make your wedding album. They should have ample experience it this and it’s the final part of your photographer’s involvement in your wedding day. Good wedding photographers have access to printing companies the general public doesn’t. Fine art books are not cheap. Preserving one of the most important days of your life in a tangible form should be made with good materials, ideally museum-quality archival paper, nicely bound, with a high-quality cover (I use leather or linen.)
Often couples I work with get a 12 x 12 size for themselves, and as thank you gifts to their families, smaller companion albums. In this case, there should be a quantity discount. Delivering your album is almost as fulfilling as the day itself for me. I actually have a separate page in my website dedicated entirely to wedding albums. Ask your photographer about creating a wedding album - you will be glad you did!
Getting married or eloping? See more of my work here.
Based in McCall, Idaho, Amy Isacson takes a handful of weddings and elopements each year, often shooting destination weddings and elopements throughout the Pacific Northwest. She prides herself on documenting real love and raw moments, serving the lovers and the outlaws.
All photos in this post were taken by Amy Isacson. The above portrait of Amy was taken by the talented Andra Krista Photography.