Selecting Your Photographer
"You're
not buying a greatest hits album. Be sure to see a full wedding from
any photographer you're seriously considering." - Tyler, The Mill Photography Studio
Reviewing a full wedding
is "the only way" to get a clear idea of what to expect for your whole
day in a variety of lighting conditions (dress hanging up, getting
ready, ceremony, family formals, candids, wedding party, bride and
groom, reception, get-a-way), advises Tyler of The Mill Photography
Studio. Reviewing a full wedding allows you to see how the photographer
handles each of these different parts of the day and how much editing is
done to the images. Tyler also recommends reviewing photos from a
wedding in a similar venue setting as yours.
Time After Timelines
"Make
sure to send your wedding day timeline to your photographer as soon as
you have it. Expectations, lighting, and the flow of the day are
important to capture your day to your vision. Your photographer should
be able to see if there are any issues that may come up. It also gives
the coordinator or you ample enough time to make those changes." - Amy, Al Gawlik Photography
A Little Homework for a Lot of Pretty
From allowing more time
than you think you'll need to knowing the time of sunset on your wedding
day, all of our photographers placed special emphasis on timelines.
And, as Mollie of Bloom Photography notes, while "working on timelines
is not as much fun as trying on your gorgeous wedding dress...it will be
the most important piece of getting the wedding gallery of your
dreams."
Start Early
Tyler of The Mill
Photography Studio suggests making your hair/make-up appointments for an
hour earlier than you think you'll need because "everything will take
longer than you expect on your wedding day, especially the getting ready
process." And, speaking of earlier in the day, Tyler recommends that
you "hand your phone over to your MOH early in the day - trust me - you
don't need it. A bride giving the groom's uncle directions while
slipping the dress on just doesn't photograph well!"
Matthew of Matthew
Johnson Studios recommends starting the photography as early in the day
as possible: "With at least 2-3 hours before the ceremony, we'll have
time for plenty of detail shots, candid getting ready photos and shots
that can take a little set-up time like overall venue photos."
First Looks and Last Sunsets
Few things are more
spectacular than a Texas Hill Country sunset but once the sun sets there
is no bringing it back. You should know when sunset takes place on your
wedding day "from the day you book it," advises Amy of Al
Gawlik Photography who recalls situations "where priests have shown up
30 minutes late and it is dark already." She advises "always plan on
starting 15 minutes later than what was on the invitations" and if you
don't plan on seeing each other before the ceremony (that is, no first
looks), "make sure there is enough time after the ceremony to allow for
formals as well as portraits."
As Matthew Johnson
notes, "people will often want an outdoor ceremony to take place at
sunset, but remember if you haven't seen each other beforehand, all the
photos of the couple together will be in the dark with flash and won't
have that natural light look that is so beautiful."
Matthew also points out
that if a couple is going to see each other before the ceremony, "then
we can take most of the portraits and family photos beforehand, which is
especially nice in the winter when the sun sets so early. Another
benefit when couples take the majority of the portraits before the
ceremony is they have time to enjoy their cocktail hour with their
guests."
It's All in the Details
Whether it's remembering
to bring a copy of your invitation to capture for posterity or juggling
family dynamics for portraits, the photographers agree - it's all in
the details.
Mollie of Bloom
Photography reminds clients: "Don't forget to pack a copy of your
invitation, a sweet note written for your groom, the box your jewelry
arrived in, or even your scribbles of your new married name all over
your wedding plans!"
Amy of Al Gawlik
Photography sends her clients a questionnaire to fill out two weeks
before the wedding to learn if there are any of those special items you
want photographed, and if there are any divorces or awkward situations
in your family that your photographer should know about, "that way it
doesn't disrupt the flow of things during formals and feeling aren't
hurt. This makes sure the photographer is held accountable to things
that are important to you and what you want captured." Tyler of The Mill
Photography Studio agrees and "loves to have a list of your family
dynamic." He further suggests that if your photographer doesn't ask then
you should "be proactive" and send your photographer information on
family dynamics and a list of your siblings, their spouses and children,
parents, and grandparents.
Putting Pinterest in Its Place
"Embrace your special day instead of trying to copy too many images you have pinned." - Mollie, Bloom Photography
Self-admitted "Pinterest
addict" Mollie of Bloom Photography advises using Pinterest "with
caution," reminding her brides that their wedding images will be unique
and special because they reflect the personality and wonderful people
involved in their wedding day. While sending a Pinterest board to your
photographer can be helpful for inspiration and communicating your
style, she reminds to be sure to leave room for creativity and the
spontaneity of your day.
Amy of Al Gawlik
Photography concurs and encourages clients to "enjoy the day and trust
in your photographer to capture your wedding and not someone else's off
of Pinterest" However, if there are one or two shots on Pinterest that
"you absolutely must have," let your photographer know and be prepared
for
those shots.
Last But Not Least: Enjoy It!
"The last word of
advice I usually have for a couple is to have fun with the planning
process and roll with the punches on the wedding day. It's such a cool
experience having all of the most important people in your life from all
these different worlds get together to throw a party for you. And
nothing makes a picture better than a honest smile and a big laugh, so
enjoy it!" - Matthew, Matthew Johnson Studios
