15 Top Wedding Photography Tips For UK Weddings
We all know it’s
right up there as the most important day of your life. There is a multitude of
things to do when preparing for a wedding.
One of the main
ones that you don’t have to do yourself on the day is the photography.
None-the-less it
is one of the most critical aspects of your special day.
So I have compiled
a list of 15 wedding photography tips when getting married in the UK:
Agree on
the right style of photography that you prefer
Unbeknown to many
people, there are various styles to choose from for your wedding day. Your
wedding photographer will give you some options, such as:
Photojournalistic
Wedding photography
Representing a
more informal approach to the day, telling a story.
Portrait
Wedding Photography
Portrait photos
result in some of the more stunning images they are formal, and you are posed
and directed for the photography.
Natural
Wedding Photography
Ideal for weddings
where a lot of the day will be spent outside, natural light is used rather than
flash photography and formal posing.
Black and
White Wedding Photography
Black and white
photography is becoming ever more popular in the past few years, helping to
capture timeless images. Sometimes a lack of colour enhances the mood, creating
compelling photos.
Also, be sure to
talk about the level of inclusion of friends and family throughout the day and enquire
if they supply a documentary-style package.
Let your wedding
photographer show you examples and guide you in your decision-making.
Searching
on the internet – A private tip
I got married in
Somerset. For those who know it’s a very picturesque county. It is best to look
for someone in your area; I’ll cover that in a moment.
They don’t need to
be in the next street to you, but someone that knows the area will know how to
get the best out of it.
To find our
wedding photographer, who also did documentary-style photography and
videography for weddings we went searching on the net. Maybe some of these
search terms you can apply for your area when looking for the right
fit.
We searched for
things such as wedding photographer Bath, or Bath wedding photographer. Also,
wedding photographer Somerset, but as we wanted video shot throughout the day,
the search term that got us what we wanted was ‘wedding photographer and video
Somerset’. So play around on Google, and you are bound to find the right person
to do the perfect job.
The
internet is your friend - Use online reviews to help make decisions
When considering
your wedding photographer, photography and videography in general, use the
internet to get reviews and ratings from other people.
Look carefully at
portfolio’s online. There’s no need to jump into the first aesthetically
pleasing website.
If you plan a year
ahead, you can get to know your potential wedding photographer first, follow
them and engage with them through social media interaction.
Check your
potential wedding photographer’s location
If you choose a
local wedding photographer, you’ll never hear the dreaded words ‘I’m
backed-up in traffic!’ If you have settled on someone from
out-of-town, that’s fine; you may be looking for a higher level of
service.
Consider
organising somewhere for them to stay overnight if they can. Also gives you a
chance to spend some time with them beforehand, never hurts.
Why not
look at an ‘engagement’ shoot?
Engagement shoots
are an ideal opportunity to become familiar with your wedding
photographer.
You can also
engage in some photography and videography as practice makes perfect for
the big day. He or she will be able to convey what they want from you on the
day.
Your wedding
photographer will quickly identify and advise on how to look your best and what
your best look is. Also, this shoot is perfect to use for wedding stationery
for invites, amongst other things on the big day.
Try not to
be bossy
Trying to
micro-manage things on the day is not a good idea.
You have plenty of
time to have a plan in place and an understanding between you. Try
not to make their to-do list too long and demanding.
Photographers
produce their best work capturing the day as it unfolds.
Natural
photographs of the day through their eye will capture the essence of the day
without being directed and everything being stage-managed.
Try to
spend as much as you can
When it comes to
wedding photography and videography if you can stretch your budget, my advice
is to try to do it if you can.
Finding the right
wedding photographer, they will have different price ranges for the day. The
higher-end is always worth the extra investment.
What about
copyright?
An area few
consider.
Question them as
to whether you can print, publish and duplicate your wedding photos?
Wedding
photographers have different stipulations about what their work can have and
cannot have done with it. It’s worth double-checking with them beforehand.
Make sure
you and your wedding photographer are on the same page
If there are
specific shots you really desire, such as the all-important kiss in the doorway
of the church or the start of the first dance. Please make sure they are
well-briefed beforehand.
Please
make sure you listen to their advice
Trust them.
Experienced wedding photographers are professionals; it’s their job. Never be
afraid to ask a question but at the same time listen to your wedding
photographers answer, but more importantly, their suggestions.
Many people have
ideas in their head, but due to the fact they have no photography background,
these ideas may be misguided, be flexible.
You’ll be surprised,
as sometimes there is not as much confetti as you thought there would be,
speeches take ages and the DJ and the band take longer to get going than you
thought.
You hadn’t
considered that had you? Exactly!
Connect
with your wedding photographer
It is so important
to have a connection. I can’t stress this enough; if you are not engaged with
each other, the shoot will not come out looking natural.
In many cases, you
may well spend more time with your photographer on the day than some of your friends
and family. Process that thought for a moment!
So having a good
working relationship is vital to ensuring a perfect portfolio from the day.
Keep
formal ‘line up’ pictures to a minimum
Look to get no
more than five or six images of the key people on the day. Remember, it’s a day
for people to enjoy and be mixing and talking; the family may not have seen
each other for years.
Enjoy the day and try
not to spend too long standing static as all the smiling will make your face
ache!
Think
about minimising the receiving line
The receiving line
can consume unnecessary time.
The time can be
used for other photographs before the wedding breakfast. If you have engaged
photography and videography, why not spend that time capturing natural moments
or you speaking to the guest as they arrive and throughout the day? It’s way
more realistic.
Light and
timings – They need consideration
Unless you’ve
taken a gamble and look to get married in the middle of winter, natural light
photos outside are popular.
Warm, soft, hazy
images won’t work late afternoon in November! Make sure you engage with your
wedding photographer as it is time-dependent and needs to be organised and
built-in to the day’s schedule.
Look after
your wedding photographer on the day
Remember it’s not
just a long day for you. You get to sit down a lot through the day, wedding
photography and videography is labour intensive, and they are on their feet all
day.
Make sure you have
a word in your caterer’s ear to ensure they are never short of food and soft
drinks throughout the day (no alcohol, of course!). That way, you make them
feel part of the wedding, and you’ll get the best out of them.
Overview
Building a good
rapport and understanding with your wedding photographer is vital. Remember
over time, memories fade, but with the right wedding photographer, photos and
video never will. I wish you well with your big day!
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