What do you need to know when planning a wedding photo shoot? For all intents and purposes, it’s your big day — you should get everything you want. However, as in almost any situation, with great power comes great responsibility, and when it comes to planning your wedding photo shoot, the same is true.
When you decide to hire a professional photographer to shoot your wedding, there are some universal dos and don’ts that you should know before the big day.
Do talk to your photographer about photography preferences
Talk to your photographer about photography preferences early on in the planning process. Do you want lots of posed shots? Or would you prefer mostly candids? Do you want the photographer to be mobile or stationary?
These questions need to be answered so that everyone understands what’s expected. If you have ideas about how you want your wedding presented, this is the time to voice them.
Do choose a location that has significance
Of course, the wedding venue is going to be important. But you could also consider choosing a place that means something to the both of you.
The location of the photo shoot can have a big impact on how the photos turn out. It’s ideal to choose a place that has some sort of significance, such as where you met or one of your favorite places together. This will help add more meaning and emotion to the pictures, which will make them even better than they would have been otherwise.
Do visit the site before the big day
If possible, visit the wedding venue prior to the day of the ceremony. This will allow you to scout out good locations for photographs, to assess the quality of natural light and whether there are any potential obstructions.
By visiting the site beforehand, you’ll be able to take in the atmosphere and get an idea of where things are going to happen.
Don’t wear a new dress or tuxedo without trying it on first
Try on your dress and tuxedo before the big day. A new outfit needs to be broken in before the ceremony so it doesn’t look stiff in pictures. You don’t want to be uncomfortable at your wedding anyway, so this is a good time to make sure that everything fits well and feels comfortable.
Don’t feel like you have to plan every detail in advance
Don’t feel like you have to plan everything in advance. Oftentimes, the best wedding shots feature expressions and reactions that come naturally and are not overplanned.
Don’t hire a photographer who doesn’t have any experience with weddings
This seems like a no-brainer but it happens more often than you might think. In addition to not having any experience with weddings themselves, many photographers simply don’t know how to work with large groups of people at all.
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who knows what they’re doing, your best bet is to hire Amin Russell Photography for your wedding photography in New Orleans. You’ll be glad you did!
