Junior Rasmussen
Wedding photography is an art, and it's important to find a photographer who understands your vision and can execute it with skill and creativity. When choosing a wedding photographer, it's essential to look beyond talent and consider their work ethic, connection with you, and ability to understand and interpret your vision. It's also crucial to review their complete portfolio, not just highlights, to ensure their style aligns with your desired aesthetic. Whether you prefer bright and light or dark and moody photos, your photographer should be able to guide you on capturing the best light and selecting the perfect locations for your shots. Communication is key, so don't hesitate to share your unique style, preferences, and special requests, such as including Grandma in the family photos. Additionally, consider the practical aspects, like the number of locations and hours of coverage needed, and be sure to clarify what's included in the package. A great photographer will be excited about your special day, responsive to your inquiries, and have a backup plan in case of emergencies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Photography style | Natural light, bright, clean, light, dark, moody, blurry, fine art, photojournalistic, direct flash, documentary-style, lifestyle, vintage, heavily stylized, posed, candid |
| Photographer qualities | Excited, attentive, experienced, skilled, creative, talented, connected, trustworthy, organised, flexible |
| Photographer responsibilities | Capturing key moments, presenting stunning photographs, anticipating moments, coaching, advising, editing, providing digital images |
| Couple responsibilities | Communicating vision, reviewing portfolios, pre-planning, notifying family members, budgeting for time and travel, understanding packages |
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What You'll Learn
Photography style: clean and bright or dark and moody
Wedding photography is an important aspect of any wedding, as it captures the magical and unique moments of the big day. There are four major styles of wedding photography: light and airy, dark and moody, fine art, and filmic.
Clean and Bright Photography Style
Clean and bright, also known as light and airy, is a wedding photography style that emphasises simplicity, clarity, and minimalism to create a contemporary and timeless look. This style often involves using natural light and neutral colour palettes to produce images that are clean, bright, and uncluttered. The goal is to capture the beauty of the moment without any distracting elements, often using clean lines and simple compositions to highlight the subjects' emotions and interactions. This style is often associated with a more traditional or classic approach to wedding photography and is popular among couples who prefer a clean and elegant look.
To achieve this style, photographers use natural light and avoid flash photography or use it subtly to mimic natural light. The images are usually less colourful and vibrant, with blown-out brighter and lighter areas of the image, such as the skies. The bright and airy style is perfect for spreads, with images displayed side by side in a storytelling format.
Dark and Moody Photography Style
Dark and moody is another popular wedding photography style that can be applied to various scenes, including adventure, wanderlust, or elopement photos. This style often has a warm, organic, boho, cinematic, and wanderlust feel to it. To achieve this look, photographers use a unique shooting style and editing style, capturing the longer shadows and softer light of the golden hour, which is the first hour after sunrise or the last hour before sunset.
The dark and moody style embraces shadows and warmer, slightly more desaturated tones, pushing the contrast between light and shadow to create a dramatic, editorial vibe. This style usually looks great in spreads, with images displayed side by side, telling a story. While this style may represent only a small percentage of a wedding day, it offers a unique perspective and is perfect for album and wall art.
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Photographer's experience and energy
A photographer's experience and energy are key factors that will influence the outcome of your wedding photography.
Firstly, it is important to choose a photographer who has experience shooting weddings. Wedding photography is a unique skill that requires creativity, stamina, and an understanding of how a wedding works. An experienced wedding photographer will know how to capture the key moments, such as the first kiss, and will be able to anticipate and plan for the fast-moving nature of the ceremony. They will also have the stamina to maintain their energy and focus throughout the day, ensuring that they don't miss any important shots.
In addition to experience, the photographer's energy and enthusiasm for your wedding are crucial. You want a photographer who is excited about your special day and who will treat it like a beautiful art project. They should be responsive to your initial inquiries, using your name in their emails and demonstrating genuine interest and enthusiasm for your vision. A photographer with positive energy will also be able to build rapport with you, your family, and your wedding party, making everyone feel comfortable and at ease in front of the camera.
When choosing a photographer, it is essential to review their complete portfolio, not just the curated highlights. This will give you a sense of their experience, style, and ability to capture the moments that are important to you. Look for a photographer whose work resonates with you and who you feel a deep connection with. This connection will ensure that they can interpret your day through their lens in a way that aligns with your vision and expectations.
Finally, a good wedding photographer will have the experience to guide you in creating a smooth and enjoyable experience. They can advise on locations, lighting, and timing, ensuring that you feel like a guest at your own wedding. Their experience will also help them navigate any challenges, such as restrictions on photography at certain venues, and they should have a backup plan in case of emergencies.
By considering the photographer's experience, energy, and ability to connect with you and your vision, you can ensure that your wedding photography will be a positive and memorable part of your special day.
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Location and lighting
When it comes to wedding photography, location and lighting are key considerations. The venue and its lighting conditions will influence the style and mood of the photos, so choosing the right location is essential for achieving the desired look. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Natural Light
Natural light is the most important factor in achieving high-quality wedding photos. It is preferred by most photographers, who rarely use flash unless it is an indoor reception. Therefore, when selecting a venue, look for spaces with lots of windows and natural light. This will ensure that your photos have a bright and airy feel. Neutral-coloured walls are best, as they reflect light evenly and don't cast colours onto the skin of the people in the photos. If you're going for a coastal theme, neutral tones with added texture will work well.
Mixed Lighting
Mixed lighting occurs when different light sources, such as window light and warm-toned light bulbs, create two different colours or temperatures. This can make the photos look two-toned or orange, so it's best to avoid mixing light sources if possible. If you're taking photos indoors, try to light the space as evenly as possible, and avoid having one side of the room brighter than the other.
Artificial Lighting
While natural light is ideal for the majority of the day, artificial lighting can be used to create interesting effects, especially once the sun has gone down. Photographers might use a speed light flash, which bounces off the roof to evenly light the room. Flat ceilings work better for distributing light evenly than slanted or vaulted ceilings. Dance floors, on the other hand, tend to look better in the dark, so don't be afraid to turn off some of the lights for a fun atmosphere.
Outdoor Lighting
When shooting outdoors, photographers need to consider the lighting conditions and adjust their camera settings accordingly. A low ISO of 100 or 200 can minimise noise and help maintain sharpness and detail. A fast shutter speed is also important to avoid motion blur. Dappled light, or spotty, uneven light created by sunlight filtering through trees, can be challenging for photographers as it is difficult to expose faces correctly. Sunset, on the other hand, offers magical lighting conditions for portraits.
Venue Size
The size of the venue is another important consideration. It should be small enough to encourage people to dance but not so small that the photographer can't move through the crowd to get good photos. If you want photos of your exit, make sure there's space to pull up a car and get a quick snap. For outdoor venues, consider the surrounding environment and whether you can create a tunnel of guests for an interesting effect.
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Group shots and angles
Communicate your vision
It is important to communicate your vision and expectations clearly to your photographer. Let them know if there are specific group shots you want, such as pictures with extended family or grandparents. Share your preferences and the key moments you want to be captured so that the photographer can focus on those aspects and bring your vision to life.
Photographer's expertise
Experienced photographers will have an eye for locations and angles that will make for great group shots. They can guide you on how to capture the best light, work with your group size, and select the perfect spots for photos. They will also be able to move around discreetly to capture photos from different angles and viewpoints, ensuring they get shots from both the front and sides of the couple.
Timing and location
Consider the timing and location of your wedding when planning group shots. If your wedding is taking place at multiple locations, you may need to budget extra time for travel. Natural light is also an important consideration, especially if you prefer bright and colourful photos. An earlier ceremony time can ensure you capture the best light for your group shots.
Photographer's style
Different photographers have different styles, so it is important to choose one whose style aligns with your vision. Some photographers specialize in heavily stylized and posed shoots, while others focus on candid, emotional photography. Discuss your preferences with your photographer and review their complete portfolio to ensure their style matches what you are looking for.
Connection with the photographer
In addition to talent, it is important to feel a connection with your photographer. Look for someone with whom you have chemistry and understanding. This will contribute to a positive overall wedding experience, as the photographer's energy will influence every moment.
By following these tips and planning ahead, you can ensure that your group shots and angles capture the special moments and people that are important to you on your wedding day.
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Coverage length
If the wedding events are taking place at multiple locations, such as a ceremony at a church and a reception at a different venue, a longer coverage duration of 9 or 10 hours is recommended. This allows for travel time between locations and ensures that key moments at each site are captured. On the other hand, if all the events are held at a single location, 8 hours of coverage may be sufficient.
The length of coverage also depends on the couple's preferences for specific moments they want to be immortalised. For instance, if the couple wishes to capture special moments during the reception, such as a sparkler exit or other unique moments, a longer coverage of 9 or 10 hours is advised. Additionally, the timing of the ceremony and the availability of natural light can impact the coverage length. Photographers often recommend an earlier ceremony time to capture portraits in natural light, especially if a First Look is not included in the timeline.
It is important to discuss the desired coverage length with the photographer in advance. Wedding photographers should be excited about your special day and willing to work with you to create a timeline that ensures all the important moments are captured. They should guide you on how to capture the best light, work with your group, and select the perfect locations for photos. A good photographer will also have a backup plan in case of emergencies, so you are never left without coverage on your big day.
Lastly, it is worth noting that the number of photos delivered is not solely dependent on the coverage length. A skilled wedding photographer will be able to capture a range of 20 to 60 photos per hour, focusing on quality rather than quantity and delivering a stunning set of photographs that tell the story of the wedding day.
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Frequently asked questions
Choose a photographer whose work you feel deeply connected to. You should also ensure that you get along with your photographer, as they will be contributing their energy to every moment of your wedding.
Discuss the locations for your photos, as well as the style and aesthetic you are aiming for. You should also communicate any specific photos you want, such as pictures of Grandma with the family.
Your photographer should be friendly and build rapport with you and your guests. They should also be able to move freely and discreetly to capture the best shots.
This depends on the photographer, but you should receive a manageable number of photos. Receiving 30 images of the exact same pose with minuscule differences is overwhelming and not ideal.
