Last Updated: Jan 9, 2017
Hiring a professional wedding photographer will assure that you’ll get polished photographs with a particular detail and styling perfect for your big day. There are certain questions you’ll want to ask a wedding photographer before hiring them. Even then, once you have found the perfect match, there is still a long list of things you should consider when planning your wedding photos.
Between traditional wedding photographs and candid moments, there are just some shots you won’t want your wedding photographer to miss. To get these must-have wedding photos, it’s important to ensure that you and your photographer are on the same page. The best way to do so is to provide him or her with a suggested shot list.
Make a point to sit down with your photographer and highlight which shots mean the most to you so, you don’t miss out on any moment of your big day.
With our step-by-step tips and detailed wedding photography checklist, you can feel rest assured in trusting that your photographer won’t miss out on preserving the magic of this moment.
Read through the entire guide or quickly jump to the tips and tricks below:
Wedding Photography Tips
You’ll want these images to take you back to your wedding day every time you get a glimpse of them, they will be an important reminder of your start of together. Whether framed above the mantel or kept safe between the bindings of a wedding album, your photographs will be a way for you to look back on your wedding day and share these precious moments with the ones you love.
The only way to make sure you get the wedding photographs you want is by being clear about what you want. This is your big day and it should be captured just as you imagined, especially after all the hard work you’ve put into your wedding planning.
Whether you have Pinterest boards filled with dream wedding photography shots you love or even if you haven’t begun to think about wedding photo ideas just yet, our tips and checklist will help you get the conversation started.
Use the steps below to help personalize your wedding photography checklist and make sure you get all the shots:
- Decide on the important must-have wedding moments that the both of you want your photographer to capture. Think about first look photos, the reception entrance, the father daughter dance and so on. Consider that each shot takes around 4-5 seconds and that your photographer might not be able to capture everything on camera. There will be certain moments you’ll want your photographer to document more than others.
- Take into consideration your wedding theme. Whether your big day is more modern or filled with rustic touches, this will be reflected in the moments your photographer documents. Your theme will impact the mood of your wedding photos and may even set the tone for the types of shots your photographer will capture. Make it clear that you want your photos to reflect the theme you worked so hard for your big day to portray.
- Think about the subjects of your wedding photos. Of course, the bride and groom will be the focal point of the shots, but photographs of your great-grandmother on the dance floor and tears falling from your fathers face are some that deserve to stand the test of time
- Consider how you will use your wedding photos. Keep in mind that your wedding photos will likely be shared with many of your loved ones and treasured for years to come. Your photographer will be quick to capture all of these moments and you will have plenty of photos to create your own wedding photo book. Use your wedding photos in your thank you cards or to make your own wedding photo album whatever the case may be, these images will help you celebrate the start of together time and time again.
One way to guarantee that your photos will turn out just as you’d hoped they would is by asking your wedding photographer the right questions. After you’ve formed an idea about the types of shots you want, you can then get your photographer involved by asking questions and clearly relaying your thoughts to him or her.
Wedding Photography Checklist PDF
Use our wedding photography checklist as a place for all of your wedding photo ideas.
Print one for your wedding planner, share your thoughts with your photographer and make your own personal notes to get all the shots you’ve dreamed of and ensure that your big day is picture-perfect.
Download Wedding Photography PDF Here
When you pull down that box of wedding photos from the shelf or open the pages of your wedding books in search of some anniversary celebration ideas; you’ll be thankful each shot was well thought out and personalized for the two of you. Now that you’ve got your wedding photos decided on, assure that all of your other wedding details go smoothly with our wide collection of wedding ideas, tips and inspiration.