Again, we have contacted with one of the best wedding photographers, this time from Sofia. We asked them:
What would you advise the future newlyweds in order to have the perfect wedding photos?
You’ll find all the tips here, in this article, as well as one favorite wedding photo, captured by each of them. The sequence is based on the time we received their answers:
For me, the most important thing is the newlyweds to be in a good mood, natural, happy and open-hearted.
We can do so many things with photoshop, we can readjust or ever change colors, to correct the exposure, erase small imperfections from the faces or the background, recompose… but there is no program that could turn constrained and tense people on the photo into happy and smiley people.
Thus, ignore anything that makes you nervous (even the camera), worries or tense you. Relax and have fun, don’t care how you’re going to look on the photos. Don’t pose, just be yourself, be happy and natural, have fun, this is Your day.
The photo-session is the time, when you can focus on each other. Make sure you have time, space and good setting, so you can show the feelings and tenderness between you two, without feeling discomfort.
You need to trust your photographer, and like him as a person, aside from a professional. The less spectators, the easier it will be for you to show closeness and true emotions and would be a priceless memory if it’s captured by a good photographer. The central park in your city could be very beautiful and your favorite place, but if the photoshoot is during the weekend, probably there will be hundreds of people, and you don’t want all to be in the limelight.
Don’t invite friends, relatives, helpers, etc. on the photo-session. Plan time for another photoshoot with relatives – formal portraits after the ceremony. If you want to take photos with bridesmaids, best man, etc., set apart some time before the creative session, and give them the opportunity to have a drink after that, but not around you.
There’s no more effective way to sabotage a photo-session, as a dozen, anyway with good grace, relatives and friends, giving “valuable” advices; where to kiss the bride, or from which angle the photographer has to take the photo, etc.
Take into consideration, that if you want the photos of you session to be at some amazing place, in the mountain, through a lavender field , or on the beach, it’s a good idea to think of a photo session on another day, not only because these places are usually far away from the wedding venues, but also because we need to take the maximum of one location, going there at a particular timeframe of the day, around an hour before sunset, which could be difficult to plan on the wedding day.
Having more than 10 years of experience in the sphere of wedding photography, we would like to advice the newlyweds to take notice of the following objectives:
Time!
During preliminary discussions we talk about the program of the wedding day. The program has to be scheduled in order to have enough time for photos. Moreover, in connection to eventual delay at the church or the ceremonial hall, which can cause tension. The good mood of the wedding day is of major importance for good photos. If the newlyweds are tense, this will reflect to the emotions captured on the photos. If they are calm, the photoshoot is successful. The longer time scheduled for photos, allows the freedom of changing the locations and the usage of additional light.
Location!
During preliminary meetings, we discuss the locations, taking into account the route of the wedding ceremony. This could be considered as time saving and maximum usage of available one.
The locations of the photo-session can be accorded to the different types of newlyweds. It’s good if they feel good in the situation of which the photographer wants to capture them. Thus, it’s good to have a discussion first about what inspires them, what makes them feel good, in order for the photographer to make exactly their photos and memories – what they could call “their wedding day”.
Undoubtedly, the photographer is a man with a creative mind, but if you make them do atypical for their character things (for instance, making them climb a cliff, just because there will be a good contrast and composition, but they are afraid of heights), the result won’t be good.
Shoes!
Comfortable shoes for the bride are an important part of the good mood on the wedding, as well on the photoshoot.
It’s good idea to have reserve, comfortable shoes for the session, if the location requires more walking.
There are a lot of things to take notice to before the wedding, in order to see a good result.
Meetings!
Meetings with the photographer before the wedding are essential, as you can discuss the concept of the photos in advance. This way the photographer would know what to expect as a program, as well for the newlyweds to learn what is possible and what is not, in a certain situation.
An example for a discrepancy like this, would be when the newlyweds show the photographer a photo, captured at sunset and tell him they want the exact same photo. During the discussion, it turns out that the time for the photoshoot is around noon. In this case, there’s discrepancy between the expectations and the final result. If there’s an opportunity for rescheduling the program, the photoshoot can be moved to a timeframe when the light setting at specific locations, is most suitable respectively for the photos.
My advice for the perfect wedding photo session is simple – do not look for perfection! The most beautiful photos are these, in which is captured the motion, the eyes, the feeling… Namely, it’s so important for the newlyweds to be calm and relaxed, to leave the stress aside and enjoy the moment and their special day! Forget the prejudices and make your wedding day exactly as you want it to.
I’m talking about the whole wedding day, not only about the time of the photoshoot, as if they are worried all the time because of some reason, this inevitably will reflect on the wedding photos.
Yet, few practical tips: if possible, the time for photos has to be not less than an hour and a half (the time for travelling to the specific location is not included), choose part of the day when the light is good (usually at sunset) and avoid photos at the time around noon, make a preliminary plan about the time and locations and discuss every detail with your photographer. Last but not least, the newlyweds need to pick a photographer, who they trust, and in whose company, they will feel comfortable.
In order to have a perfect wedding photoshoot, I would recommend few things:
First – make sure you have enough time. An hour, an hour and a half, without the time for transport included. So, you don’t need to be in a rush and it will be easer for you to relax and enjoy the session. The last thing you would want is to watch the clock all the time.
Second – be yourself. Have fun, smile and behave as there’s no photographer. I know it sounds hard, but the most spontaneous you are, the most natural and full of emotions the photos will be.
Third – have a rest. Relax for 10-15 minutes in the middle of the photo-session. It will be very refreshing for you.
Fourth – don’t stress about the weather. Yes, if the forecast is bad, just take umbrellas and don’t stress about it. The bad weather is an opportunity for much more different photos than the sun at noon.
The perfect wedding photo-session is totality of multiple things. I always advice the newlyweds to plan enough time for the photos (minimum 1 hour) and to schedule their program in a way, so the photoshoot would be as later during the day, as possible; directly before the dinner, because of the softer and pleasant light.
The location is also important. It’s crucial as well to be considered with the venues, as there’s no point in wasting time in travelling. The newlyweds mustn’t forget that the photo captures the emotion. That’s why it’s so important for them to be calm, smiley, relaxed, cheerful and emotional.
Post-wedding photo-session is an excellent option to avoid classic spots at the day of the wedding. The opportunity to visit a beautiful place at sunrise or sunset will add the whole experience of a wedding.
For me, the most important moments of a wedding happen outside the time for the photoshoot. My advice is do not think about the photoshoot at all during your wedding day, focus on the feelings and the emotions to each other. Every photo-session can be redone, but probably you’ll never be able to gather together all your friends and relatives at one place.
Don’t get angry, leave things happen and just have fun – this will make your wedding photos perfect.
Plan your photoshoot in the right time and place for photos. Most sessions happen to be when the sun is too strong, making it uncomfortable as for the newlyweds, as for the photographers.
Also, if you don’t want to get tired (yes, tired; this is exactly what happens), you can divide the photo-session into two parts – before and after the ceremony. This gives the perfect opportunity to change locations and to follow the schedule, when in 98% of the cases the bride is late, without being in a rush.
Discuss all of the options for the photoshoot with your photographer, trust him about his recommendations – be sure that this would be the best decision in your case. And remember – this is your photo-session! Don’t go with a dozen guests and relatives.
The wedding day is one of these so magical moments in the life of two people in love, which will remain as a memory for life. The photographer on the other side is the magician, whose task is to turn this memory into something unique and unforgettable. In order this photo-session to capture entirely the emotion of this special day, do not forget to take a notice to the following points:
The place. Select a favorite place, where you have good memories or a place, so beautiful that you want to be reminded of it every time when you’re looking at your wedding photos. It’s important to pick a place which inspires you and make you feel on place, because this for sure will be captured by the camera.
Time. If there was a rule that needs to be kept during photoshoots, it would be – do not be in a rush. Take your time, in which you’ll feel the setting, the emotion and everything that’s surrounding you. Relax, because this is the only way to achieve the next point:
Be yourself. This is the only way that you can fully express the happiness and love, fulfilling your hearts during this special day. So…
Forget about the camera. Enjoy your wedding photo-session, leaving apart all your worries and questions. Devote yourself on the emotion, feel comfortable and don’t think too much. Because the only thing you can do on that day is:
Create magic. And when the love is in the air, the magic is already happening and … click! It becomes alive in the camera.