I get a lot of questions about what to think about before your photo session, when is the best light, should we do family photos and do I recommend a first look? Here I share my best tips for you to feel prepared so that you can focus 100% on each other during the wedding day.
Anticipatory preparations
Both me as a photographer and the person who does hair and hair, whether it’s a professional stylist or your best friend, depend on good light to be able to perform our best. Therefore, if possible, choose a place in front of a large window for daylight.
Please have your rings, invitation cards (also menu etc if you have such, all printed matter you have produced for the wedding) and any other props you would like to have photographed. Please bring your bouquet, perfume, shoes etc as well for layflat photos. Maybe a beautiful hanger for the dress before it is put on. All the details you have chosen for the day. I have ring boxes and other props to style with but you are welcome to bring beautiful things that means a lot to you. It can be an aged photo of a close relative who is no longer with you, a beautiful perfume bottle, a beautiful tray. Feel free to ask the florist for some extra ribbons and flowers to style with.
If you are getting ready in different places, please sync when the respective dressing takes place so that I have time to photograph both of your preparation moments, if you haven’t choosed the option with a second photographer. The person or persons helping the bride to put on her dress should be completely ready (regarding hair, makeup, clothes) before the dressing of the bride takes place for the most flattering images.
Should we do a first look?
This is something I recommend to all my couples, as it is such a fun (and exciting!) part of the wedding day. Seeing your future husband/wife for the first time in wedding clothes is a special feeling and many appreciate having this captured. But it is your day and the most important thing is that it feels right for you.
Portraits
The portrait photography is a small part of your wedding day at the time, but something that will be of great importance to most people afterwards. This part of the day is the part when I direct and pose you on the selected backgrounds that have the most beautiful environment and the finest light.
The light and the fact that the portraits feel natural are something that many people come back to regarding my photos and those are the two factors I place the most emphasis on. When we have taken the classic portraits (so that grandma is satisfied:) I aim for you to have a cozy moment together during the portrait photography that results in cozy loving pictures. The rest of the day, I shoot lots and lots of documentary.
Before or after the wedding? Both have their advantages, first of all, hair and husband are most beautiful when it is newly done (and no possible tears have flowed down the cheeks) and you do not feel stressed because the guests are waiting to meet you at the mingle. After the wedding, nervousness has subsided for the vast majority and you can feel more comfortable during the photo shoot. Really a matter of taste, choose what you think fits best into your schedule.
Ceremony
During the wedding, you as the bride and groom are the main focus, but I usually photograph the guests as well if possible. A father who wipes away a tear, a child who yawns bored, a grandmother who is so proud. The wedding ceremony, church or civil, often involves a lot of emotions for many, not just the bride and groom, and it’s wonderful when you manage to capture these.
If you get married in a church, there are sometimes restrictions. Feel free to talk to the priest or officiant that you planned to bring a photographer with you, so that there are no question marks right on the spot. I always try to be as flexible and quiet as I can during the wedding ceremony and respect the act that is taking place.
Would like to warmly recommend you to have a so-called unplugged ceremony. This means that you ask the priest or someone in your bridal party before the wedding to ask your guests not to use cameras or phones. Selfies in all their glory but those genuine expressions tend to disappear the second people lose themselves in their social media. In addition to your photos being nicer without smartphone screens in the foreground, you will be greeted by genuine facial expressions and have completely present guests. After the wedding, you will receive a link to a slide show that you can share with your guests so that they can see all the pictures. If you want the best of both worlds, you have an unplugged ceremony and a plugged-in reception, that is, your guests are welcome to take photos and share photos with you throughout the day except during the ceremony itself.
Let get this party started!
This is where the guests come into the picture! I want to capture the engrossed feeling, the tearful speeches, the ashgarv at the tables and the full dance on the dance floor.
I usually always ask to be seated by myself, not among the guests (for the simple reason that I don’t become a nice table neighbor who runs up all the time) and to be served the food last of everyone, that way I have time to walk around and take photos you and your guests when the plates are still full. If you have a toastmaster/toastmadame, please let me know the schedule, so no surprises arise just while I’m having a short toilet break.
Many people appreciate getting detailed and overview pictures of the fine dining room and the table settings, I am happy to arrange this if you give me access to it 15 minutes before the guests settle down. Another highlight if the weather is nice is sneaking out 15 minutes during dinner to take some nice backlit photos as the sun goes down.
Group and family photos
Taking group and family photos can be experienced as one of the most stressful moments of the day. I know how important they are, not least over time, and therefore attach great importance to them going smoothly, because the longer the family portrait takes, the less time you have for other things. Here you will find tips regarding this very thing.