5 Tips to Planning Stress-Free Wedding Photography
Do the terms stress-free and wedding planning actually go together? We think they can! Sure, planning a wedding can seem like a daunting project that is full of checklists and appointments that add up to a lot of stress leading up to the big day. But it doesn't all have to be that way! First, take a moment to breathe and relax- after all it is your wedding and you should be able to fully enjoy the day – stress free! Since that's easier said than done, we put together these 5 tips to planning stress-free photography at your wedding.
Tip 1 – Keep it simple.
Short and sweet is best when it comes to “shot lists.”
Instead of letting random relatives and long-lost friends take over your portraits (as much as they may be trying to help), keep your photo session simple with this list. It's our go-to for group photos and portraits:
•Couple with both sets of parents
•Couple with Partner #1’s Parents
•Couple with Partner #1’s immediate family
•Couple with Partner #2’s Parents
•Couple with Partner #2’s immediate family
•Couple with entire wedding party
•Bride with bridesmaids
•Groom with groomsmen
•Couple
•Bride Alone
•Groom Alone
This is a great starting point! Just add or subtract from this list to make it a perfect fit for your wedding. Remember, short and sweet is best when it comes to portraits. Your family and friends want to move on to the party as much as you do, so stick to your list. Keep moderation in mind; you probably don't need 20 different photos with the same people in different combinations.
Tip 2 – Build buffer for spontaneous shots.
Don’t over-schedule yourself; leave room for fun photos around your venues.
Want to know a secret? Group portraits can be done fairly quickly! The trick is making sure everyone who needs to be in these photos is actually ready to go when it's time for portraits. This will give you and your photographer time to do some fun photos with family and friends, and will give you time to explore the area around your venues for more interesting backdrops. City venues can provide a lot of opportunities to include unique urban and architectural elements in your photos. If you're having a more rustic wedding, take time to explore what's around you and include some gorgeous landscape in your photos.
Tip 3 – Let there be light.
Consider choosing times of day that are ideal for lighting.
Lighting makes all the difference in photographs. Amazing light, whether natural or staged, can totally transform your photos into something incredible. Photographers know this, so chat with your photographer about their lighting setups, and ask for their advice on your timeline and the best spots for portraits at your venue.
If you are having an evening ceremony, it may be best to do some group photos before the ceremony, so you don't run out of sunlight. Visit your venues at different times of day and see what the spaces look like. Aim for the golden hour – that magical time when the sun is close to the horizon, in the early morning and late afternoon, that creates glowing, soft light and makes everything beautiful.
Tip 4 – Ignore your photographer.
Sounds funny, right? But it’s true: you’ll get better photos when you aren’t aware of the camera.
Most people tend to stiffen up in front of a camera, and it can make for awkward photos, which is the last thing you want on your wedding day! Instead, just enjoy yourself and trust your photographer to capture the right moments. You will get more natural-looking photos if you don't ham it up for the camera with fake smiles and cheesy poses; just be yourself!
Tip 5 – Relax.
There are tons of photos you can’t plan for; In fact, those are often the most magical ones!
This may be our most important tip. Your wedding day has finally arrived after months of planning, so you should be able to relax and fully enjoy the big day. You're going to get all your planned photos with family and friends, so let your photographer take the reins from there. They know the magical not-to-miss moments and will be there to capture all the little ones in between too.