Tips for Working with a Wedding Photographer

Checklist for Getting the Best Professional Wedding Photos

Aug 5, 2009

Good communication is essential to getting great wedding photos. Schedule carefully and never assume that the photographer knows what is wanted.

By the time a bride finally settles on a professional wedding photographer to capture her big day, she has sifted through dozens of potential candidates and hand-picked the most promising photographer. But the work doesn't end there.

Choosing the right photographer is only half of it; now it's up to the bride to clearly communicate what she wants and needs to get the best results. Using these wedding photography tips will help.

Establish a Shared Vision with the Wedding Photographer

Every couple has a mental expectation of what their wedding photos will look like: photojournalistic or traditional, dramatic colors or mostly black and white, serious or silly and fun.

A good wedding photographer can adjust his or her personal style to accommodate different couples' preferences, but can't altogether repress or change it. Find a photographer that specializes in the desired photography techniques, rather than trying to force the desired techniques on an unfamiliar photographer.

Photographers Need to Know about the Bride and Groom

In order to take wedding photos that are uniquely tailored to each couple, the photographer needs to know about the personalities he or she is photographing. Brides and grooms should describe their personalities and their pastimes in ten words or less to give the photographer something to go on.

The photographer should also be aware of some basic information about the couple, such as:

If possible, brides and grooms should visit the locations with their photographer or provide pictures of it to discuss how to use the landscape in pictures.

Show Photographers Concrete Examples

The old adage "a picture is worth a thousand words" couldn't be more true when talking about communicating with a wedding photographer. Nebulous terms like "modern," "colorful," "close up," and "artistic" can mean two very different things to a bride and her photographer.

The only way to make sure that everyone is on the same page is to go through sample shots together, identify ones that the bride likes, and have her explain why she chose those particular images. This allows the photographer to replicate what the bride likes in her own wedding photos.

Never Assume the Photographer Knows What a Couple Wants

It's important to spell out exactly what is wanted in wedding photography, even if it seems incredibly obvious. Stating the obvious can never hurt, and may just save a lot of regret over insufficient communication later on.

For example, bride who figures that the photographer will know she wants a ton of bride and groom shots might not really mention it, and thus feel shortchanged on the wedding day when the photographer spends less time than she wanted on just her and the groom.

Write a Wedding Photography Checklist

To avoid these types of misunderstandings, take some time to brainstorm all the types of shots that are "must have" photos. A wedding photography list may include:

Professional wedding photographers work with all sorts of couples and cater to many different sets of needs. Providing them with a checklist of "must have" shots gives them clarity and direction.

Schedule Blocks of Time for Specific Wedding Photos

Another way to avoid misunderstandings is to schedule blocks of time for different types of photographs. Instead of having the entire wedding party and family milling around for several hours, get organized by creating a schedule of what pictures will be taken and when.

A good rule of thumb is to allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the bride and groom alone, 1 hour for the entire wedding party, and 30 minutes to 1 hour for family portraits. Provide the photographer and all wedding party and family members with a copy of the itinerary.

These wedding photography tips will help brides to successfully communicates their wants and needs to their wedding photographer. Talking about themselves with the photographer, drawing up a list of wedding photography ideas, and scheduling wedding picture times

The copyright of the article Tips for Working with a Wedding Photographer in Wedding Services/Receptions is owned by Jenny Evans. Permission to republish Tips for Working with a Wedding Photographer in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.