Pro Tips To Take The Best Wedding Photos

On your wedding day, you’ll likely be in more photos than any other day of your life. It’s meant to be that way! You want to remember every moment of this fantastic time, and you’ll be the centre of attention. But most people aren’t professional models, and being the focus of attention to have your photo taken can be awkward. To get the best wedding photos, you need to trust your photographer, know what you want, be prepared and be ready to put aside any feeling of awkwardness. Do it for your partner! We’re wedding photography experts at Hello Sweetheart, and we will make the process as easy as possible for you. Take into account these tips and everything will go smoothly.

FOCUS ON EACH OTHER

It might be hard to forget your photographer is there – yes, we hover, give instructions, you can hear the shutter going off – but just try to forget we’re there and focus on each other. The best wedding photos show you and your new spouse together in the most natural way possible – smiling, hugging, kissing, all of that. When people look at your wedding photos, they’ll only see you, not the photographer, so just try to forget we’re even there (until we give an instruction!). On that, try not look into the camera unless your photographer gives you that specific prompt. You should look happy and natural. We’ll be sure to get a mix of shots and give you prompts to help focus on the moment and each other, so trust your photographer on the day.

BE PREPARED

You should go into your wedding photos knowing what you want. This applies to the specific shots you want, and the people you need in group shots, but also to any special extras you’d like to add some pizzazz to your wedding photos. Yes, pizzazz! Some examples are sparklers, streamers, confetti poppers or smoke bombs. All of these can give some added interest and drama to your wedding photos. Just let your photographer know what you want to do and they’ll be sure to include it. Also consider the area where we’ll be taking the photos. Is it hilly? Will you need to climb over fences? Is there a bit of walking involved? If so, make sure you’re prepared. A change of shoes is great for all the above – no one wants to be climbing over fences in stilettos or Louboutins. How’s the weather on the day? You might want to bring an umbrella, raincoat, or something to protect that pristine white wedding gown.

CREATE A VIBE

You’ll probably already be in a great mood on the day, but for some, taking wedding photos can be anxiety inducing. We are really good at making people feel relaxed but one of our hot tips is: Music. Nothing is more awkward than silence, so keep the good times rolling by playing some music when you’re getting ready. You could delegate to a bridal party or family member to create a playlist for the day. With the right tunes, you and your guests will feel more relaxed and able to take great photos.

YOU KNOW EACH OTHER BEST

That’s why you’re getting married! A bit of banter goes a long way when we’re taking photos of you. You should make each other laugh, and the more natural the laughs, the better. One of the ways we’ve found works to get each other to smile and laugh naturally is for you to whisper mildly (or very) inappropriate things in each others’ ears (eg, “peanut butter penis” seems to work well and if that doesn’t work say it in a German accent). But you don't want to giggle through every shot, so think about telling your partner how much you love them and what you love about them. Maybe you could tell them how you felt when you first saw them at the ceremony. The more real talk that happens the more real responses we can capture. And if you're not sentimental like that, that’s okay! Just stick with with the butt grabs, fooling around and making each other laugh.

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU

Don’t forget that we’re here for you. Part of the photographers job is to make you look your best. If this is all too overwhelming, we can help. We'll drop cues and direction to guide you through it all and capture the most natural and beautiful version of you possible. It’s essential that you trust your photographer. When a photographer is micro-managed, they can lose their creative edge, meaning you won’t get their best work. Feel free to suggest specific shots, but when it comes to the poses in a shot and the framing and composition, leave it to the professional. If you’re still worried about being in front of the camera, you might like to add on a couples session to your wedding package. This could be used as an engagement shoot, and it’s a great way to practice for the day. This way you won’t be total photography newbies on the day.

🫶🏻