With all the planning that goes into your wedding, the actual day often goes by in a flash. The best way to remember it all? Photographs. Getting the perfect photos can feel like a hugely important thing, as they capture all the wonderful elements and details of the big day, and the emotion on everyone’s faces. They are a keepsake you will treasure and something for everyone to look back on. So how do you make sure your photography is done perfectly? Here are a few tips to get the best shots of your big day:
Find the Right Photographer
Possibly the most obvious in this list, finding the right photographer will guarantee you get the lovely photos you want. Any photographer should be skilled and understand what it takes to get good shots, but like all creative jobs, different people create different things. You should look thoroughly at their portfolio to see what kind of style they have and think about the kind of photos you are looking for. You should also look through other people’s wedding photos to see how differently their days have been captured; if there is a particular set of photos you love, you could even hire the same photographer. Go with what speaks to you.
Relax
For some people, being in front of the camera is intimidating and uncomfortable. It can seem unnatural to pose in front of a camera, but you will have to do your best on the day. Some photographers are good at taking photos unnoticed, so you will most likely appear natural in the shots anyway, as you might not even notice your picture being taken. When it comes to getting photos lined up with your friends and family, or side by side with your partner, you might start to feel more pressure. The best thing to do is to focus on your partner and your emotions. Try not to force yourself to pose if it doesn’t come naturally to you. Just pay attention to your partner and you will end up smiling naturally. If you are nervous about it, there are some useful guides on how to pose ‘naturally’ so you can practice a little before the day. Your photographer will probably provide you with some direction too, so once again, try your best to relax.
Plan Ahead
It’s a really good idea to have another visit to your venue and taking your photographer along is even better, as it will give you a chance to take a second look at the space before the big day. You can think more carefully about where your décor will be going, and you can communicate with your photographer about where the best photos can be taken. Remember that lighting changes quite dramatically between day and evening, so you will also have to make sure you plan the timing well. Some people even get their photos taken before the ceremony, to guarantee perfect couple-shots.
Photo Opportunities
Getting the photos that you want may also mean choosing the right venue. If you know you want photos with a natural backdrop, you need a venue that has gardens. If you want a city backdrop, then you need an inner-city venue. You are sure to get beautiful wedding photos at NYC’s Tribeca roof if a backdrop of the city is what you want. When picking your venue, make sure you consider the potential for great photography. Having great views in the background will make your photos even more special.
Bring Props and Get Creative
If you know you want to have some more playful shots, plan ahead and bring along items you may want in your photos. If your partner is an avid cyclist, perhaps you could get a fun shot of you both on a bike? Once again, think carefully and discuss these ideas with your photographer. There will already be lots of great photo opportunities within your venue with all the décor and things going on, but it doesn’t hurt to prepare some extra scene-setting extras too.
Photo Booth
Some people like to set up a makeshift photo-booth or space where your guests can take silly or fun shots together, which will add another set of photos into your album. It’s a good idea to get some extra photos taken from the perspective of your friends and family, and they can be included in the guestbook as a personal touch. Leaving a polaroid camera by the guestbook will give your guests a chance to take a fun snap to go with their messages.
Enlist Family and Friends
Another idea is to give a camera to each of the bride or groom’s parties, to document the ‘getting ready’ process. Try not to rely on one specific person, as this will put pressure on them to work rather than enjoy the day. But having cameras available lets people have fun and get involved, some of your friends and family members may love having an opportunity to pick up the camera and take their own shots.
Sharing Photos
Setting up a space for all the photos your guests do take makes it easier to collate them all together. You should try setting up an online place using a sharing platform such as Dropbox or Google Drive. This will allow people to upload their photographs and videos into one album and it can be viewed by everyone. It will mean you get to see everything from the day, and no photos get lost or disappear.
Keepsakes
The photos you have from your big day will be super special and a great way to keep them together is by creating an album. There are some great companies that can print your photos into a photo-book or album so that you can flip through your favorite shots. They would also make a lovely gift to parents if you think that’s something they would appreciate. Getting a book or film made from your photos from the day could also be something your photographer offers, so make sure to ask them about this. They may be able to recommend their favorite companies too.
Any photos that are taken of your big day will be special, but these tips should help you make sure you get those perfect pictures worth framing. With the day being so busy, you may not even get the chance to take everything in, so having those photos to look back at is such an important and meaningful thing. With all of these things taken care of, you can just enjoy your day and trust that your photos will turn out beautifully.
