Wedding Photography 101

Share your wedding day memories

When you sign on with a wedding photographer, you aren't just hiring someone to take pictures. You are entrusting them to capture what will end up being your memories of the day you were joined with the love of your life in matrimony.

There are different levels when it comes to wedding photos. Finding a photographer that understands this and has the skills to go deeper will result in a wedding album that sparks joy for the rest of your life.

Schedule a Consultation

When you are busy planning a wedding, time often tends to be your worst enemy. No matter how far in advance you seem to get the process started, time closes in and starts adding to your overall anxiety level.

The time paradox is evident in all aspects of your wedding planning, including your wedding photos. With so many other things to do, it’s easy to overlook this component and let it linger on the back burner for a while. But you need to remember that it is your photos and videos that will tell the story of the biggest day of your life.

Planning Ahead Always Works Best

When you schedule a consultation early on with your wedding photographer, you can work out all the details and build a soft timeline for how things are going to go on the big day. If you make a point of getting this done at the beginning of the planning process after you’ve secured a venue, it won’t creep up on you later and you will end up with the very best shots possible.

Beautiful wedding photos take time

It’s important to note that this is much more than “taking some wedding photos”. There is a wide range of factors to plan and consider to get all of the images you want. During your consultation, you can work out all of the details and customizations you want, but generally, wedding photos can include:

• Rings, shoes, dresses, and similar details
• Preparation photos (hair, makeup, etc)
• First look and daytime couple shots
• Individual portraits
• Wedding party photos
• Immediate family photos
• Ceremony venue
• The ceremony itself
• Reception venue
• Couples session
• Room Shot
• Night Time Photos
• Cake Cutting
• Parent Dance
• Bridal Party Photos

Solidify your wedding timeline at least 4 weeks prior to the big day

When you don’t have a plan, you plan to fail. This is a tried and true statement. Your photographer is so much more than a person that takes pictures. They are there to help guide you to having the wedding of your dreams. We take pride in putting together great timelines that will not only get you the best photos possible but the best experience as well.

Let’s face it, your hair and make-up team will leave you the day of the wedding, your limo driver will leave, you will talk to your DJ for 5 minutes the day of your wedding. Your photographer is the only person who is more focused on you having the wedding of your dreams than your spouse. Why? Because if you look stressed and worried it will show in your photos!

Take the time and sit down with your photographer and we will help you put together a timeline that is realistic. You don’t want to leave these types of things for the last minute.

The Value of a Good Wedding Photographer

Every shot is a moment in time, captured for all eternity, and with the right photographer, these captured moments will tell your wedding story the way you want it.

It's All About Trust

Even more important than their experience, their impressive portfolio, or raving testimonials is the ability to establish trust and rapport with your wedding photographer.

Usually, you will know early in the initial consultation if you are willing to put your trust in this person or team to get the right photos at the right time. Once you find that perfect fit, you need to trust them from that point forward.

It would be best if you were realistic about things like the time of day, the lighting, and the venue and trust that your photography team will make it happen.

Should You Have 1 or 2 Photographers & Videographers?

There could be a decent argument either way when it comes to having one or two photographers and videographers. Budget is a common reason to stick with one, or you may feel that having more than one is just overkill and unnecessary. If you are on the fence, it will help to sit down with your photographer and videographer and listen to the pros and cons of each.

Naturally, you can create a perfectly good wedding album with just one photographer, but having two will tell a more in-depth story with more texture and layers. The same is true of having two videographers.

A second photographer and videographer can spend more time with the groom, capture the audience's reactions to specific parts of the wedding, and get candid shots that would be missed if you used only one.

Navigating a Rainy Wedding Day  

Rain on your wedding day is always possible, and a source of anxiety for many brides-to-be. And despite what you may read, just "making the most of it" isn't necessarily the best way to go.

At Lotus Weddings, our agreement states that we will go back out with you on a beautiful day to capture those outdoor wedding shots you couldn't get due to inclement weather.

A good wedding photographer will take control of the situation and make sure you get the shots you want, keeping all of your wishes and dreams in mind while making it happen.

This is your wedding story, after all, and you shouldn't have to settle for anything less than the best.

Essential Factors to Consider About Your Wedding Photos

Once you know which photographer will be in charge of photographing the biggest day of your life, you can turn your attention to other aspects of your wedding photos. It's true that a great photographer will have a vision and is probably going to be right most of the time, but it's still your wedding, and your input is crucial.

Choosing Locations

There will be many candid shots of your wedding and reception that will add depth to your wedding album, but your couple's portraits and bridal party photos are another story. These photos will be enhanced and taken to another level with a great backdrop.

Having just the right backdrop can turn nice looking pictures into a work of art that captures the true essence of the day and you as a couple.

Some of the things to consider when choosing locations for your photos include:

• Your proximity to the reception
• Your personality, what you like and dislike
• Your partner's personality, what they like and dislike
• The overall look and feel you want the photos to have
• How many different "looks" you want to have in the photos
• Whether you need a permit or not
• How much time you have allotted
• The time of year

To First Look or Not to First Look?

The first look or first reveal photos are a standard part of many weddings, but they don't necessarily need to be part of yours if you don't want them to be.

There are many pros and cons to having first reveal shots done, and it's really up to you whether you decide to incorporate them into your wedding day.

For some, it helps relieve stress and removes some of the pre-wedding jitters, while others believe it takes away some of the mystery and excitement of seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony.

A first look will help get the bride and groom images out of the way and get you, your family, and your bridal party to your cocktail hour, so take some time to talk it over with your photographer before making a decision.

How Far in Advance Should I Book?

If your goal is to have the best possible photographers working at your wedding, then you need to assume they are busy and heavily booked. As with any professional, high-quality wedding photographers are in demand, which means their schedules are likely full into the foreseeable future.

At Lotus Weddings, we like our clients to book between 12 and 18 months before the wedding. It may be possible to wiggle around that timeline a little, but 12 to 18 months gives us the time to create a definite timeline and overall plan to ensure you get what you want.