Do you know what your vision for wedding photos is?
Planning a wedding is an extensive process, and there are so many decisions to make along the way. What your colors will be, what flowers you’ll have, who your wedding party will consist of, what they’ll wear, what you’ll where, the venue, the special touches that make the venue your own; it’s all so very intense. But as you work your way through that list of decisions and make the selections that feel the most true to you and your style, that perfect wedding starts to take shape before your very eyes. It’s your “vision” and it is uniquely yours!
It is such an exciting time! That’s why communicating this newly formed vision for wedding photos to your photographer is so important!
With all the work you’ll put into making your vision a reality, photography of the final product should be one of the most important decisions you make, right? Because the right photographer will be the person who not only captures this vision for you, but captures the emotions that go with it as well. They provide you with the only tangible reminder, besides your partner, of what you two worked so hard to create.
So the first thing you have to ask yourself is, well, what exactly IS the vision of photography you are looking to have for your wedding?
All photographers have their (different) preferred style they work within. Some specialize in heavily stylized and posed shoots, while others, like myself, veer more in the direction of more candid/spontaneous photography—photos that touch your soul, lift your spirits, and embraces all those moments in between.
Choosing a photographer who shares your preferred style is the first thing you should be focused on. Once you’ve done that, though, how exactly do you get your point across?
So how do you explain to that photographer what your vision for the wedding day is?
You found the style of photographer you prefer, now how do you explain exactly what you want from them?
Well, the best way to do that is to talk with your photographer and discuss everything. Discuss your goals, your worries, and your ideas. Then let your photographer should their own spice to the mix.
Some people have a long list of what they want out of their photography. Others are more willing to give a vague idea and trust the photographer to capture the moment.
And your photographer should be asking YOU questions as well! It isn’t all on you to figure this out. This type of discussion should definitely be a two-way street!
Before you hire someone to photograph your wedding, ask to see a whole wedding event:
After you’ve checked out their Instagram account and website, the most important thing you can do is ask to see your photographer’s portfolio, or even an entire wedding they have shot in the past. It is all well and good to see a beautifully curated instagram feed or sample album of 30 lovely (but heavily retouched) cherry-picked images, it’s another thing to actually SEE an entire set of images.
- What events/people/places were actually captured through the day?
- Does it tell the whole story of an 6-10 hour day in a way you would want it told?
- Can you follow the sequence of events? Are they in a chronological order?
- Are there photos of people, places, things, emotions?
- Do you like the lighting?
- Do you like the color tone of the photos? Will it look dated in a few years?
- Did the collection make you feel like you transported to the event?
Things you really don’t need worry about:
- There is no sample wedding of your exact specific venue or location
- The clothing or decor shown is not your exact style
Talk to Your Photographer about the Timing & Planning of Your Day.
You may discover that they have some good ideas about timing in order to capture the best light, or about working with your size group, or how to select the perfect location for your photos. Sharing your vision with your photographer may produce recommendations that you had no idea existed!
Point out the most important people at the party??? Why?
Well, if Grandma is traveling from 3,000 miles away, and you want to make sure you get some pictures of her with the family—let your photographer know that! In most cases, they probably would have captured those images anyway, but knowing that getting Grandma in the shot is especially important to you can help to guide their focus. Again, that’s why communicating your vision to your wedding photographer is so important!
How nice to have more options!
Should the Photographer Already Have Experience at Your Venue?
Some wedding articles or chat boards will tell you that your photographer needs to have photographed or visited your venue ahead of time. And although there are always exceptions, this is definitely not a requirement to receive good photos.
Our job, as professional wedding photographers, is to have the skills to be able to walk into ANY environment, find or create the best light, bring the right gear, and make it work! Ask your potential photographer their thoughts on this topic, I know you will get a spirited response. And I bet they have some fun stories to tell you about it as well.
Is part of your wedding day vision to feel like a guest at your own event?
Want to just “go with the flow” and “be in the moment” on your wedding day? Here is the secret:
You have to plan ahead with all your wedding professionals so you CAN just be in the moment.
Only REALLY GOOD advance planning allows you something priceless: to show up to your wedding and not have to tell anyone what to do. You don’t have to think about what is next. You don’t have to decide when to cut the cake. It all just magically happens in a way that feels very calm and organic.
What I don’t recommend, is to wait until the day of your wedding to begin telling your wish-list to your photographer (and other wedding professionals). Directing your photographer “in the moment” is distracting and stressful for everyone involved. Nobody likes to have to manage things they needn’t, or be managed on the actual day-of due to poor planning. Allow us to do what we do best, take care of you!
It’s your big day; you should be enjoying it, and so caught up in the moment that you aren’t paying any attention at all to what anyone else is doing. Great pre-planning allows you to enjoy all that is happening around you in real time. BE a guest at your own party!
So no matter what, even if you don’t know what to tell your wedding photographer, talk to them ahead of time. Then be willing to trust them to do their job on the day of and bring your vision for your wedding photos to life. Hopefully this article helped you understand why communicating your vision to your wedding photographer is so important!
TL;DR
- Know Your Vision: Your wedding photos should reflect your unique style and preferences. Communicate your vision clearly to your photographer.
- Review Portfolios: Look at your photographer’s complete portfolio, not just curated highlights. Ensure their style aligns with your vision for your wedding day.
- Plan Ahead: Pre-planning with your photographer and other vendors ensures a smooth wedding day. Let them handle the details so you can enjoy every moment as a guest.
- Trust Your Photographer: Once you’ve communicated your vision, trust your photographer to bring it to life. Allow them the freedom to capture your day authentically.
- Be Present: Enjoy your wedding day fully by allowing your photographer to handle the details. Be a guest at your own wedding and soak in every moment.
- Pre-Planning is Key: Don’t wait until the last minute to discuss your photography wishes. Plan ahead to ensure your photographer understands your vision and can execute it flawlessly.
- Communication is Vital: Keep the lines of communication open with your photographer. Discuss your expectations and preferences beforehand to avoid any misunderstandings on the big day.
- Enjoy the Moment: Trust in your photographer’s expertise and focus on enjoying your wedding day. Let them capture the magic while you make memories with your loved ones.
- Memories That Last: Investing in quality wedding photography ensures you’ll have beautiful memories to cherish forever. Choose a photographer who understands your vision and can deliver stunning images that reflect your love story.
- JENNIFER DERY is a San Diego based, wedding, engagement, and family photographer. You can hire her for your wedding too!