Brides pour their heart and soul into every minute detail of their wedding day, from their bridal beauty to the elegant decor in the reception venue. However, one thing that every bride should put extra effort into is their wedding photos.
Your wedding day is probably the biggest day of your life, and it’s important that it’s documented just the way you like. The challenge here is hiring a wedding photographer who understands your vision, personal style, and aesthetic so that they can capture every moment of your day in the most beautiful way possible. If you want to be certain about your wedding photographer, here are seven ways to ensure they understand your vision so that you get the dreamy, enchanting photos you’re hoping for.
1. Check Their Portfolio for Their Photography Style
Look up the photographer you’re eyeing on social media to see their digital portfolio. See if you like their artistic approach to wedding photos and if they have experience documenting events in your particular wedding theme or style.
For example, if you’re having a rustic, boho-inspired wedding, see if they have firsthand experience capturing a wedding with that cozy, cottagecore aesthetic. That way, you can be confident they know how to snap beautiful, candid moments or the fairy-like lace details of your boho wedding dress.
2. Get Someone Who Knows the Local Scenery
If you’re having a scenic destination wedding, make sure you hire a local photographer who knows the best local spots and hidden gems near your venue. For example, if you’re celebrating your union in glamorous Udaipur, be sure to hire an Indian wedding photographer who knows the area well. The same goes for anything local. If you’re getting married at, say, a waterfront venue in the Jersey Shore, hire the best wedding photographer NJ has to offer to really capture the area’s enchanting beauty and vibrance.
3. Show Them Your Mood Board
Collate the photos you want to use as inspiration for your wedding photos and share them with your chosen photographer. That way, they can have a firm grasp and understanding of your wedding style and aesthetic, eliminating any ambiguity about what exactly you’re looking for.
4. Tell Them About Your Love Story
Another way to make sure your photographer is in tune with the overall vibe and aesthetic of your wedding is by sharing your love story with them. Open up about the emotions that were prevalent throughout your relationship and how you want them to translate in your wedding photos. The more your photographer understands the depth of your relationship, the more they will be able to capture every precious moment of your big day.
5. Plan a Specific Shot List
Work with your photographer to develop a specific shot list for every photo or key moment you want captured. This includes family portraits or parts of your reception program, like the speeches and the father-daughter dance. This will serve as a guide for your photographer so they know exactly what pictures you want.
Think of the smallest details of your big day that you want captured beautifully in photos, like your lavish wedding jewelry, colorful invitations, close-up shots of your wedding ring, or the beading on your dress.
6. Discuss Colors
If you give your photographer a color palette with pastel hues or vivid brights, you will likely end up with happy photos of everyone smiling and partying the night away. If you specify that you’d rather have classy black-and-white shots with dramatic poses, it gives them an idea of the sophisticated, regal aesthetic you want reflected in your shots. If you want warm, sepia-toned photos, your photographer will know you want vintage-inspired snaps that will evoke feelings of nostalgia.
7. Communicate What You Don’t Want
Be honest and communicate with your photographer about specific styles you’d like them to avoid, from overly staged shots to cheesy photos with fake laughs. That way, your photographer can focus only on the type of photos you want to see in your wedding album.
8. Do an Engagement Shoot
Test your chemistry with the photographer by booking them for an engagement shoot before the wedding. This gives you an idea of how they work and whether they can effectively direct you during picture-taking, allowing you to check for compatibility. It also gives you a preview of the style of photos they can capture for your special day without committing to booking them for the full wedding service.
Conclusion
Your wedding photos will be some of your most cherished snapshots for the years to come. By going the extra mile and putting the steps above into action, you can rest assured your photographer knows exactly what to do to get you the photos you’ve always imagined. Incorporate these steps in your photography planning process, and you’ll be rewarded with timeless, aesthetically stunning wedding photos you’ll love looking back on forever.