5 Mistakes the Couples Make in Their Wedding Photo Session
No Communicating your Expectations
This may sound like something elementary. Still, you would be surprised about how many brides don't let them know their expectations. Your wedding photo documentation is essential. Therefore you must let your photographer know what you want. What photo you would like to be taken and how you would like them to be edit. For example, you probably talk to your father, and he tells you the illusion he has about walking with you down the aisle. This is something meaningful for your father; let your photographer know about this.
You're probably thinking, “well, that photo better be there even if I don't tell the photographer”, and yes, you're right. But since this is something vital and sentimental for your father and for you, it will be better if tell the photographer about how significant is this moment, for him/her to capture every emotion coming out of this moment. Moments that will wow your family and will last forever. I hope your photographer would ask you about your expectation but, if it doesn't happen, make sure he or she knows all details about your wedding and what you want.
2. Not following the Wedding Timeline
It is essential to organize a timeline and let all your provider knows about it. Your wedding planner should do that for you and set the time for each part of the event. Now I have to say that your photographer should have a photo session timeline also. It is not that you're going to have two timelines. Still, as a photographer, I need a specific time to produce the beautiful photos you deserve for your day. You must let know the makeup artist and the hairstylist the importance of the time, and they let you know how long it will take the process.
This way, the photographer can organize the photo session timeline for you. If you get behind the timeline, your photographer would not have enough time to take the best photo for you or at least the one he or she had in mind. Just remember, after your wedding day is over, the only thing you would have to remember the beautiful moments and experience will be your photos. So, choose a photographer that you feel comfortable working with, understands your wedding vision, and enjoy your photo session.
3. Eat
Something you are supposed to do, but you, the bride, may forget to eat with all the rush and nervousness. I remember one time during a location portrait photo session after the ceremony, I saw the bride's eyes getting lost. I said out loud; she is going to pass out. I call the name of the groom and told him to hold her. Why this happens, she didn't have anything in her stomach since the day before. I know it is a momentous day, and the nervousness can get you to lose appetite; if this happens to you, please let someone knows about it to take care of you.
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4. Over program, your photographer
It is imperative to tell your photographer about your expectations. But it will go against your interest if you tell your photographer every photo that you want. Something that I do tells the couples to do our 1-Minute Quiz to discover their wedding vision. After they do the quiz, they receive a mood board with wedding photo ideas that resonate with their wedding vision. With the quiz result, I’m able to organize beautiful love story images based on their quiz results. It is just great.
If your photographer is one that is prepared and organizes he/she should scout the venue way before the wedding and have a mood board prepared for the location portrait session; and share it with you. All these techniques will give you the confidence to avoid over program your photographer. If you micromanage your photographer, you will set aside every candid and natural moment of your wedding day, moments that are important for creating your album. So trust your photographer and go with the natural moments, and the mood board if you have one.
5. Pre-Wedding or Love Story Photo Session
A pre-wedding photo session is a session a photographer should do at least 3 or 5 months before the wedding. This is a relaxed photo session where the couple and the photographer get to know each other more deeply. The couple will discover how the photographer works and communicate to make them feel comfortable in front of the camera.
Suppose you decide not to have this photo session. In that case, you're missing an excellent opportunity to evaluate your photographer and see a preview of how your wedding photos would look like. On the order hand, you’re the type of person that feels shy in front of the camera; this will affect natural and candid poses and moments on the day of your wedding. So, don't make this mistake and have your pre-wedding or love story photo session with your photographer, and break the shyness before the wedding day if your photographer is coming from another country. Have him be at your location at least 2 days before your wedding day to do this beautiful session with you. I bet you will enjoy it. For more detail about this photo session, you can read our blog post How to Prepare For your Love Story Photo Session to have a better judgment about the photo session and pick ideas for it.
I hope these tips are constructive for you and your couple. Remember, your wedding day is an event full of unrepeatable moments and emotions. Therefore, you must enjoy this day. The best way to enjoy it is to have everything organized the best you can. Having a wedding planner is a lifesaver. Having a photographer who is organized and caring about their couples is an excellent equation. Hopefully, my advice will help you find a photographer that fits your wedding vision.
