Ashley’s Advice :: Give your wedding photographer time!

Hello, friends!

So I’ve decided to start doing some advice blogs for fellow photographers, clients and those seeking answers to questions. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to work with a situation and thought to myself “man, I should REALLY write a blog about this!” and just never have. Well no more! It’s time I start writing these things down on paper (err, blog) and helping out others.

This week – I am focusing on weddings. More specifically – I am focusing on how YOU – brides and grooms – can get the most of your wedding photographer on your big day, so you can have the best experience possible AND have the memories to keep for a lifetime.

I’ve shot a few weddings now and one thing has always struck me – the bride and groom just want things to go right. They want people to show up, they want the music to not skip a beat, they want to have each of their carefully crafted details to be noticed – and yes, they want their photographer to capture all the special little moments we’ve been hired for. It’s our job, as photographers, to make sure things go as smoothly as possible and to capture it all with our cameras. It’s not an easy job, but we love it – otherwise, we would run for the hills for less chaotic ventures.

But here’s the thing – weddings only last a day. All that hard work, stress, careful planning and design – it lasts a day. And you need to enjoy it.

I’m asking you – as a photographer, as a memory maker/keeper, as an artist – give yourself time to breathe and relax on your wedding day. Give yourself an hour – before the ceremony for a first look or after the ceremony for your traditional “formal” poses – to just be with your new spouse. To hug each other, to gaze lovingly into their eyes, to smile and blush, to squeeze hands and sneak kisses. Aside from the intricately designed floral arrangements and the beautiful, perfect wedding gown that you are wearing (after trying on at least 40 other ones) – your new spouse is the reason you’re there. Let your photographer have time with you to capture the REASON you’re there, and don’t rush it.

Plan some time for your photographer to capture those special (and fleeting) moments. Just the two of you, away from the party. Many contemporary couples will do something called a “First Look” – which is done before the ceremony; it’s usually done with just the bride and groom, and it gives you the chance to see each other before you walk down the aisle. It takes a lot of pressure off the couple at the time of the ceremony, and for ceremonies done in the evening – the natural light is usually much better. With a First Look, brides and groom can finish all the “formal shots” together before the ceremony even starts – so you can go directly from the ceremony to the reception without skipping a beat. If you’re more traditional – which is equally amazing – then plan to take 45-60 minutes between the ceremony and the reception to spend with the photographer to do your “formals” – to capture the reason you’re throwing the party (AKA YOUR LOVE!). This is a great time to serve those tasty hors d’oeuvres!

At the end of the day, you want to have beautiful images from your wedding. Make sure when you meet with a photographer to possibly hire them to document your wedding, that they have a plan to do either a First Look or Traditional Formals. Ask them how much time you need to set aside for them to be with the two of you, and what their ideas are for that time. Talk with them about YOUR vision – what YOU want, because after all – this is YOUR special day! Put Pinterest boards together, look at bridal magazines and even wedding catalogs – you’d be surprised the ideas you can get from them!

So that’s my thought on things for today. ENJOY your special day and PLAN some time to be with the love of your life!

xoxo