Wedding Photography Tips #21: To see each other or to not see each other

It’s really the biggest time line subject of the entire wedding.   It will determine what photos are done before and which after.  It determines how much time you spend with your guests.  But there’s also so many traditions, emotions and expectations wrapped up into the decision too.  I personally saw my husband before the ceremony and I absolutely don’t regret it.  I knew I didn’t want all the emotion of seeing my husband for the first time be walking down the long church aisle with 200 people starring at me.  That pretty much freaked me out.  But that’s me.

If you decide to see each other before the ceremony you can still make the moment special and beautiful.   You can make it as private or public as you want.  Brides, you can still walk up to your fiance, and believe me the fact that it’s not your ceremony won’t take away from seeing each other.  And you can embrace and kiss and cry all you want without having to get on with show, if you know what I mean.  After you see each other there’s plenty of time to take all the necessary photos before guest even arrive.  Then after the ceremony you’re free to enjoy your guests and all the hard work you put into the day.

First Look Photo

If you choose to not see each other before, that’s fine too.  Everyone needs to do what they feel is right for them.  Photos are just held after the ceremony and might need additional time before the reception starts.  Nobody wants to feel rushed so be sure to walk through the time line and make sure there’s plenty of time for everything.

Wedding Photography Tips #20:  Determining your family photo list

I’m diverting from what I said I was going to talk about to Determining your family photo list.   Something that can be extremely important when you’re dealing with Mom’s and Grandparents.  Although I only rarely listen to my own mother (sorry mom, but you probably already knew that I don’t listen very well).  I think it’s important to discuss with all the parents involved what they’d like when it comes to the photos.  And then hopefully find some common ground that can make everyone happy.

As I said before I keep the family photos to immediate family and grandparents, beyond that the client tells me exactly what they want.  I have had clients that want the entire side of the family in one photo and I’ve had clients that hardly even want the immediate family.   Start with the people that mean the most to your and your fiance.  Who are the people that are always there in your life?  Is there an Aunt that is as close to you as your mom?  This is the time to get these types of photos.

family wedding photos

Gather those uber important people up and make the family photos fun!

Wedding Photography Tips #19: So when do we get to see all these awesome photos?

Is it really the 19th already!  Where does the time go?  It amazes me how fast one week can go while another will just simply drags on.

Now the wedding is over and your anxiously awaiting an email from your photographer.  I remember waiting with baited breath to see my wedding photos, the weeks couldn’t go fast enough.  Most photographers will say about 4 to 6 weeks is what it’ll take to finish your wedding.  I know it seems like an enormous amount of time, but really it goes by so fast!  Editing can get bogged down during the wedding season.  I typically shoot around 2000 images at a 8 hour wedding.  Crazy right?  The client only sees about 700 of those images and those 700 are all edited to show the natural beauty.  So if I’m shooting a wedding every weekend, well let’s just say I get bogged down pretty quickly if I’m not careful.

Check with your photographer and when they say they’ll deliver and don’t be afraid to send an email to them when the deadline comes.  Obviously don’t be sending emails every week, but a nice Hey how’s it going isn’t a bad thing.  Niceness goes a long way.

Next up…What do I do with this disk?

Wedding Photography Tips #18: The Bride and Groom

Ahhhh I love spending one on one time with the Bride and Groom.  It’s definitely my favorite part of the day.  Having the time to just soak up all that’s happening, the emotions, the sites, sounds and love!  The day goes by so fast, it’s hard to stop and just be present.  Being present is soo important though.  Being able to remember what you felt like at certain moment throughout the day.   I love taking a couple to a private space just out of range of all the guests and just letting them breath.  Breath a sigh of love and appreciation for what’s happening that day in that moment.   I don’t pose much during my time with clients because I want them to be with each other, not with me.  The photos should speak what love and hope they have for each other.  That’s what we’re all there for, to celebrate, support and encourage the Bride and Groom.

Of course I’d love to spend hours just being engrossed in the moment, but time usually doesn’t allow for that.  But don’t over look photos of you two.  They really are important.  You got your hair down and you look gorgeous why not take a ton of photos?

Next Up….when do you finally get to see your photos?

Wedding Photography Tips #17:  Bridal Party Photos

I am really slacking lately!  This time a year is so festive with lights and yummy smells coming from the kitchen.  I get so caught up in it all I forget what day it is!

The people you choose to be around you on the day of your wedding really sets the tone for everything.  Supportive loved ones there to hold your hand when you’re anxious or to just tell you how your lip stick is.  The core people are what hold you up in good times and bad.  They’re the ones always there for you.

I don’t follow the rules most of the time and I don’t like doing everything everyone else does.  I do what I feel is important and what matters to my clients.  Most of my clients don’t want to spend a lot of time taking photos of the bridal party.  Just enough time to get a group shot and maybe a couple candids of everyone hanging out together.    Each couple is different of course, so take the time to decide if you want some crazy creative bridal party photos.  Think about where you’d like to do them.  It doesn’t have to be a specific spot, but if your ceremony and reception are at two locations, decide where you’d like certain photos to happen.   And always talk it through with your photographer.  They usually have some pretty good insight on these things.

bridal party photos

Next up…The Bride and Groom