- Wayne, NJ and Sparta, NJ | Tel: (973) 406-9919
Your wedding photos are one of the most important items you’ll have after your wedding day is over. Afterall, once your special day is behind you all that’s left is your memories of the day, your wedding photos, and if you booked a videographer – your wedding video.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a guide to ensure you’ll absolutely love your wedding photos!
When interviewing photographers you’re likely taking the cost of their packages into account. While it’s important to stick to your budget, it’s important not to go with someone who is cheap for the sake of saving money. There are many other areas you can save money when it comes to your wedding, your photographer should not be one of them. Instead, take into account their experience and their portfolio and find a photographer that fits into your budget without sacrificing on quality.
Do a little research on wedding photography prior to meeting with a photographer. Look at their websites, online portfolios, and social media pages. If a particular photographer shoots a specific style that you don’t like as much, chances are you won’t love your photos from your wedding day. Instead, find a photographer whose style you like and you will be much happier with the finished product. Do you prefer lots of candid photos? Silly poses? Traditional photographs? Journalist style? Search for a studio who is already shooting in styles that catch your eye.
This may seem like an obvious one, but often times people will try to cut corners by hiring a photographer who isn’t as experienced in shooting weddings. Sure you’ll likely save some money by going this route, but you’ll likely sacrifice on the quality of the photos you’ll get on your wedding day. Wedding photographers understand the flow of weddings, they are often familiar with local venues and understand how to quickly round up bridal parties and families for group shots. You may not think these things are important, but on your wedding day, these skills make all the difference.
An engagement shoot is the perfect way to get more comfortable with your photographer and being the subject of a photoshoot. You and your fiance should consider this a practice run and take it as an opportunity to become more comfortable in front of the camera.
Are you planning to attach a photograph of a deceased grandparent to your bouquet? Or maybe you plan to have your dog as a part of your wedding. Perhaps, you’re having a piece of your mom’s gown sewn into your own. Whatever special details you’re planning to incorporate into your wedding day, tell your photographer about them ahead of time so you can be sure they won’t miss a thing.
Getting ready photos are a beautiful addition to your wedding photographs and give your spouse a peek into the day before you were together. It’s a good idea to consider where you’ll be getting ready to ensure you get fabulous photos. Is the room large enough for a group of people to get dressed in? You’ll likely want your mom, siblings, bridesmaids, and the photographer there to capture the moment. Think about who you want there and take that into consideration when making your decision. You should also consider the lighting in the room. Natural light is best, so a room with lots of windows is deal. It is also a good idea to move furniture around or declutter the room a bit first if you are getting ready at home to give your photos a cleaner look.
A professional makeup artist will understand how to do your makeup in a way that will look best on camera. They’ll know exactly how much makeup is needed to stand out on camera without looking exaggerated. Another perk of having professional makeup is you can be sure it will last all day long.
Consider the time of year you’re getting married. If you are planning to get married in the winter for example, and are set on a stunning sunset photo you need to consider the time of your ceremony and how quickly the sun will set in the winter. Discuss these things with your photographer ahead of time so you can know exactly what you can expect.
One mistake couples make is not leaving enough time for themselves to take photos are their wedding day. This results in either rushing to get through posed photographs quickly or having to miss parts of your cocktail hour. Both of these scenarios may leave you disappointed. Ask your photographer how much time they recommend for photographs and then schedule this into your wedding day accordingly.
A slouching bride or groom will leave you unhappy with your photos. Prior to the big day start practicing stand up straight and maintaining good posture. Good posture will go a long way in making sure you’ll love all of your photos.
