5 Ideas to make your wedding photos better
Weddings are often anticipated as the best day of your life, but the event almost always goes by in a flash. Before you know it, sparklers are being lit, and family is lining up for the big send-off. Couples will forget most of the people who came, what they ate at the reception, and even the speeches their loved ones give. But, the memories that stick are often contained in the photographs taken during the big day. Wedding photos are the true souvenirs of a wedding day!
Every marriage probably has only one to three "lifetime photos" of their big day, which makes getting that perfect shot a big deal. Being intentional about your wedding photos, and preplanning this part of your day can be a huge help in guaranteeing your lifetime wedding photos come out how you want.
An alter kiss at The Barn, captured by Sarah Dean Photography
Scout out the photo spots beforehand
Once you book your wedding venue it can be super helpful to understand the layout for potential photos of you and your new husband/wife! Go on the venue's social media and see what other couples have done in the past in that specific setting. Pay attention to the different angles you like, or particular props other couples have used in their photos.
2. Make a mood board on Pinterest
Besides looking at your venue’s photos from past couples, go to Pinterest to broaden your photo horizons. We know you probably already have a wedding Pinterest board going, but creating a specific board for photo and mood inspiration can be even more helpful. Especially if you can share this mood board with your photographer so you both can have a shared vision for the day.
3. Splurge on your photographer
We know, we know, we’ve said this before! But, if there’s a certain wedding aspect to splurge on, it’s your photographer. These are the memories you will take with you for years to come–so they should look as great as they can. Make sure to find someone you trust and who you and your partner feel comfortable around–you will be hanging out with them most of your wedding day!
An intimate portrait taken at 8th&Main
4. Have meetings/be in communication with your photographer
An 8th&Main couple warming up by the fire
Once your photographer is booked, ask them if you can share your mood board with them and have an in-depth conversation about what exactly it is your looking for on the day of your wedding. Just like you looked at the venue’s social media for inspiration and Pinterest for inspiration, look at your photographer’s social media for inspiration. Come to the conversation prepared and knowing the way you want your photos to look. The photographer will appreciate anyone who comes to these meetings prepared and they should have plenty of questions and input for you and your spouse.
5. Relax the day of! Focus on your love and your love will come through in the photos
A happy 8th&Main couple taken by Kate Photo
Most importantly, relax on your wedding day! Or at least try your very best to relax, whatever that means for you. All four points above may seem like a lot of preparation to do just for wedding photos, but the more you figure out and flesh out beforehand, the more freedom it can give you the day of. No one wants to look stressed or tired in their wedding photos, so take care of your future self by knowing exactly what you’re getting into and what you want out of the photos.
Make sure you pick the "Million Dollar Photo" that you will have for life. This, truly, will be one of the most important decisions you make for your wedding. Try to picture what would look best hanging in your home or on your computer background–you will be looking at these photos for a long time, and you want to make sure they are the best they can be!