5 ( mostly) Free Things you Can do to Greatly Improve your Wedding Photography

Too good to be true? Nope! Often at weddings there are just teeny tweaks a couple can do to help their photographer do the best job they can on their wedding day. Some things are big and some are a two second fix! Here we go!

1. Don’t place high, large decor on your head table. They look great. In theory. Until I try to shoot your candid reactions to speeches or have a moment connecting with each other. They also block any artificial lighting I may have to use! Low, monochromatic head table decor is awesome! Want to look even better? Use a gold or blush toned accent. It will bounce warm light in to your face and make you look healthy and glowing! Perfect!!

2. Give your photographer a detailed timeline well in advance of your wedding. Consulting with your photographer on your timeline can save lots of grief and optimize your experience. I can tell you where you need more time and when you are scheduling time you most likely won’t cherish afterwards. That point in the getting ready where you are sporting just foundation and it looks like half done zombie looking make-up? Not the prettiest! There’s some time I could be shooting your dress, shoes etc. To see my guide on how to start your timeline click here!

3. Cover Your chairs. Okay. I lied. That one isn’t free. But chances are you were either going to do it or were on the fence any way. Why do I recommend this? Unless you have a venue with awesome chairs that match your colour scheme or you are renting special chairs ( Chiavari, antique wood hint hint) covering your chair will create a blank canvas that keeps the eye flowing. The chairs in most venues are very dark in order to hide wear and tear and they don’t look great in your decor photos.

Imagine that shot if the back of chairs were black and gold. It cuts down the options and angles I can use and makes your whole room shots look choppy.

4. Think through your placement of objects and people. When you are saying your vows, make sure to face each other. Don’t place large arrangements at the front of the church that obstruct a view. Place your cake table somewhere that you can get around it to actually cut the cake. As you walk through your day picture yourself in the area where photos are being taken and picture where I am going to take them from to get the best angles. Also think of where I am going to stand as not to obstruct the view of your guests as well.

5. Coloured lights and your first dance. Oh my. Some DJ’s will ask but some will not and your first dance will have you looking either like you have the chicken pox or a terrible fever. On a few occasions where it was really crazy I had to ask the DJ to turn it off. That makes me feel like crud. Fun lights are fun during your actual  dance but during the romance of your first dance they are just plain distracting.Also, resist the urge to turn the lights all the way down for your first dance. Even just a low level of light will help my camera to focus while you’re dancing! I have pretty much one of the best low light cameras in the industry but black and white are the hardest  things for cameras to focus on and guess what you guys are on your wedding day? You’re super hot black and white-wearing moving  people haha!!

Well there you go. No huge deals right!? But a few quick tweaks can really help your photographer get you the best shots they possibly can!!