Pre-planning your wedding photography benefits both the Bridal Couple and the photographer
The importance of planning your wedding photography should not be overlooked, perfect planning will help ensure the perfect photos. As a wedding photographer it is really important for me to meet the bride and groom before the wedding. I like to meet at the venue(s) in advance so we can discuss the finer details so I can find out a bit more about the couple as well as getting a feeling for the venue. This also helps settle the nerves of both the bride/groom and the photographer alike.
Planning The Day
Plan your day to make the most of your photographer but don’t forget that your main priority is to enjoy your day! As a photographer I prefer documentary style wedding photography. This style allows the full day to be captured from the Bride and Groom getting ready (drinks, makeup, bridesmaids, bestman, pre-nerves!), the ceremony (walking down the isle, marrage vows, signing the register, sneaky shots of a tearful mum) A few formal photos (make sure you have a couple with your most loved) Romantic Spot (A few pics of Bride and Groom on their own – keep this time as brief as possible) then back to the party with speeches and the fun of the day (these are often the best pics of the day as people are relaxed and I can take photos without being too obvious, these are less forced and you get the natural smiles and laughter shots). This informal documentary style wedding photography will give you the most photos whilst also taking the least time distracting you from enjoying your day.
Bride getting ready
Photographing the Bride and Groom
The style of photography will be different dependant on whether the couple are outgoing or a little shyer and meeting the couple beforehand helps to build up a relationship. Extravert couples will usually feel much happier being photographed than shyer introverts that may prefer more subtle wedding photography. As a photographer I am full of energy (without being too over the top) and will adapt the style to make the couple most comfortable.
The perfect wedding photo is often pre-planned.
The Wedding Venue
Its a good idea to run through the photos the bride and groom definitely want. It maybe the couple would like photos taken in the church or chapel. To plan in advance it is a good idea to identify a suitable spot that you will get the desired spot. Check for things like seating plans, angles (can you see the couple for the photo. Is it okay to take photos in the church, perhaps the person doing the blessing will not want the sound of a camera shutter.
Meet at the Wedding Venue to get a feel of what will work for your wedding photography
Rain on a Wedding Day
We all hate to think of the dreaded scenario of torrential rain on your wedding day! Pre-planning for the ‘just in case’ is well worth the effort. Identify a nice indoor area preferably well lit with greenery. Often hotels will have a little spot perhaps in a conservatory or orangery that will help rescue the day. Get a a few nice brollies that can be used for outside shots, investigate any local spots (quirky buildings, follies, homes) that can used as a fall back. My experience says the rain will soon pass so with a little flexibility you will get both stunning indoor and outdoor photos no matter what the weather.
Blog by Mick Kenyon Wedding Photographer, wedding photography in The Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.
