Wedding Photographer Advice

“HAVE FUN WITH IT! Don't stress too much about the little things. On the car ride en route to the Engagement Session, turn up the music & have a jam session with your fiance. Trust your photographer to have a bit of artistic freedom & leave yourself no room for stress on your big day by preparing your wedding day timeline alongside the photographer and planner at least two weeks in advance. Pro Tip: Have someone who has pretty handwriting or knows calligraphy to write your home address on the envelope of the invitation suite. Once the photographer is finished photographing the entire invitation suite, mail it off the very same day. You will receive your invitation later in the week with your wedding date as the postmarked date at the top.”

“Have a camera with you at all times, be it a point and shoot, DSLR or a cell phone, just something to capture the once in a lifetime events. You will want to capture images of dress shopping, showers, parties, etc. You can also hire a professional photographer for events. Having a professional photographer at the event relieves a lot of pressure from someone that might get side tracked doing other things. A pro has only one thing in mind and that is to capture the essence of that event. It's worth the cost of a photographer to get the important shots.”

“I think a perfectly put together timeline is crucial for your wedding day success. I would highly recommend to consult with your photographer about your wedding timeline. And please, do it way in advance and not a few weeks before the wedding. Photographer can help to bring some special insights to your timeline based on lighting situation and dynamic of the day. But most importantly, enjoy your wedding! It will go by so fast.”

“It is a good idea to know whether you like posed photos, natural candids, or a mix of both. Some couples hate being posed and others want lots of direction and for the photographer to come up with ideas for shots. Knowing where you land is the first step in finding the right photographer. Once you find a photographer you love, let them do their thing.”

“We encourage our clients to remember the importance of working together as a team when handling stressful family situations that may arise. The key to being successful when potential issues arise is communication. If the Bride and Groom are not on the same page, it's an issue waiting to happen. We have meetings with our clients and help address these potential issues prior to diving into wedding plans. We've all heard it, communication is key!”

“The best advice I can give to a couple is to enjoy the journey. If at the end of the day you are with the one you love, that is all that matters. Couples get overwhelmed with silly things that will not matter after they are married. Focus on your journey and enjoy the small moments that lead up to the big day. It goes by fast so take it all in, each and every precious moment.”

“The most important thing couples should remember is that their wedding day is an opportunity to reflect who they are as a couple! They shouldn't worry about making their day fit tradition or the expectations of others. If they make the day authentically theirs, they'll be having fun and can't help but look great in their photos! Practical tips: 1. don't spray tan before your wedding 2. don't think about the camera - focus on having fun 3. lighting is key! Spaces with lots of natural light make for the best images.”

“Brides, have an honest conversation with your hair and makeup vendors about how long they expect their part of the day to take. Let them know how long they have to work and insist that they stick within that time frame. Without a doubt, the most common reason weddings get behind schedule is because hair and makeup took longer than expected. This makes it difficult for you to get all of the pictures you need before the ceremony.”

“Stay flexible - Many times brides get fixated on the perfect wedding and will lose sight of all the good, once something disappoints. Be practical - pick your favorite 5 Pinterest ideas and share them with the understanding that time is never on your side on your wedding day. Don't be strangers - Meet your photographer ahead of time. Engagement shoots are the best. Get help - A great wedding planner is worth their weight in gold. Just dance - take a moment to dance with your new bride during the reception. Eat and drink - Don't forget to eat and drink water. End Goal - HAVE FUN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY.”

“Definitely focus on each other and on having a great time together. Be comfortable: get and keep hydrated, wear what makes you feel good, focus on your significant other. Being relaxed and enjoying yourselves makes a huge impact and makes for great photographs.”

“This is a once in a lifetime event and you should trust your photographer whole heartedly! In our business's case we don't try and be a wedding vendor instead we try to be an extension of the wedding party itself! If you want authentic, real and emotional photos the only way to get those is to have that trusting relationship where you aren't worried about what we are doing but focused on marrying your best friend.”

“The best advice I can give is to let your photographer have first-rights on input when you're building the timeline. Often, I'm not consulted and photography gets all messed up on the day. And then the whole timeline has to be rebuilt anyway. But if you're paying good money for photography, why would you want only fifteen minutes of rushed portraits?”

“When you book your wedding photographer, I highly recommend doing an engagement session! You'll be able to get to know your photographer, become comfortable in front of their camera, and learn what poses work best for you as a couple. If you book a cool, vintage getaway car from Austin Party Ride, I recommend having it at your venue while the sun is still out! It is so fun to have natural light to take pictures of you and your spouse with the car!”

“My best answer to this question is to find a photographer who you can see yourself being friends with. As a wedding photographer I essentially spend the whole day third wheeling. You want a photographer who can create authentic moments instead of just being a pro.”

“Ignore your photographer!!!! Of course they'll ask you to look at the camera and smile a couple times, but for the most part, just engage with your counterpart. Spin, lift, kiss, jump, make silly faces or just hug. Then high-five, click your heels and spin again. And gaze deep into each others eyes until you crack. This will be your favorite picture.”