
Get Ready For The Wedding Day.
Tips to help you be prepared for your special day.
Have invitations, vow book and jewelries ready.
You don’t have wedding invitations? No problems. Please have dress, shoes, vow book and jewelries ready for photos. These are perfect addition for getting ready photos. If you prefer Flat Lay Details, please give me 20-30 minutes for those photos.
Ask The guests to avoid cell phone photos during the ceremony/walking down the aisle.
You’re investing in beautiful professional photos, and phones can really take away from that. It’s also so much more meaningful when guests are fully present with the couple. The officiant can kindly ask everyone to put their phones away before the ceremony begins—and turning them off ensures no ringtones interrupt. Otherwise, I may end up with a guest blocking the aisle with their phone while I’m trying to capture the bride.
Ask the wedding party to look at the camera when they are walking down the aisle.
As they walk down the aisle, it’s wonderful if they can look up at the camera and share a quick smile—it makes a huge difference in the photos. I understand they need to watch their step, but most of the time nerves make people look down the entire way, and I’d love to capture a few shots of them looking up. It also helps if they leave some space between each other and walk at a slower pace. This gives me enough time to photograph each person or couple individually. If the group walks too close together, it doesn’t leave me with enough time to get those great photos.
Please don’t rush the ring exchange and the first kiss.
These are very important moments that need to be photographed and besides that…it’s a special moment and it’s your moment so don’t feel rushed, enjoy it and embrace it. Also, it is very important that your body and hands don’t cover the hand where you put the ring.
Kindly, ask the officiant or priest to step to the side during the first kiss.
I’ve seen many photos where it looks like the officiant is part of the kiss, and it doesn’t come across as cute. When they move aside, it keeps the moment focused entirely on the couple and makes for much cleaner, more romantic photos.
Hold your partner when you kiss.
For both your first kiss and the second kiss I’ll have you do as you walk down the aisle at the end of the ceremony, make sure to really hold your partner close—or even add a dip if you’d like (just practice beforehand if you want to try it!). I’ve noticed that when couples kiss without holding each other, their bodies often stay apart, and it doesn’t translate well in photos. Holding each other close makes the kiss look natural, romantic, and beautiful.
Please stop and kiss one more time when you exit the ceremony.
I will ask you for one more kiss when you exit the ceremony. Feel free to a dip. Practice before you do it.
Inform the wedding party to stay around for photos after the ceremony.
The wedding party has been with you all day, and I know by the end of the ceremony they’re ready for a drink or a snack after standing so long. I completely understand that—but it’s very important that they stay with you just a little bit longer for the wedding party photos. Once we capture those, they can relax and celebrate with you without any interruptions. If we capture these photos prior to the ceremony, please skip this section.
Inform the family and relatives who are in the list of formal photos to stay around for photos after the ceremony.
Formal list includes: Immediate family and close relatives.
This part is VERY important. We only have a set amount of time for formal photos, and this is often when people start slipping away for a drink, a bathroom break, cocktail hour, or even to their car. It’s impossible for me to know who is who on your list and to track them down once they’ve left the area. Please send an email or text ahead of time to let everyone know that they are part of the formal photos and must stay in the ceremony area right after the ceremony. It’s also very helpful to have your coordinator or a family member assist with gathering people. The longer it takes to find guests, the longer the photo process takes—and sometimes that means relatives get left out, which can be frustrating for couples.
Your special day is not the time for someone to build their photography portfolio.
No other person besides the photographer should take professional or semi-professional photos during the wedding. This is extremely important. Not only can it interfere with the quality and consistency of the final gallery, but in the worst cases it can cause me to miss key moments like the first kiss, the ring exchange, or walking down the aisle. Please make sure this is clear to your guests and vendors—I want to capture every important moment without distractions.
During Speeches/Toasts look at each other here and there.
During the toast, it looks so beautiful and romantic in photos when you both look at each other. Give a little hand squeeze or gently call your partner’s name so you’re in sync. I often notice that one person looks at their partner while the other is looking elsewhere, and that small disconnect takes away from the moment. Staying connected makes for truly stunning, emotional photos.
During the reception if an unexpected event happens and you want photos, please send someone to let me know. When the couple eats, it is also the time I take a break to eat as well. There have been a couple of instances that people start the toasts earlier or something special takes place. It’s a very rare occasion but if it happens please send someone to inform me.
Avoid Tan Lines.
Avoid tan lines if possible—especially from watches, sleeves, or swimsuits. They tend to stand out in photos and can be distracting.
Remove objects from the pockets of the Groom and the Groomsmen.
Wedding days take many months of preparation so make sure you ENJOY your special day to the fullest.
Have Fun, Smile Much and Dance like there is no tomorrow.
Thank You for having me on your special day and I cannot wait to photograph you soon!