How to Get Better Wedding Photos: 5 Things Your Photographer Wants You to Know

Just like with any relationship, communication with your photographer is key. When we understand each other as artist and client, everything can come together smoothly and the way you want it to. That’s why touching base and getting to know each other are such important parts of my process. I believe without some type of ~chemistry~ it’s hard to make photography on a day with such important personal meaning, like a wedding, work.

With that being said, here’s how to best communicate your wedding ideas to your photographer so that they can execute the vision of your dreams.

Create a Pinterest Board

And invite your photographer to it. Pinterest is the perfect place to pull reference photos from, and to narrow down what exactly you want photo wise. You can identify what type of photos you like, and your photographer will be able to tell what techniques were used to create that image. Maybe you like lots of motion blur, maybe you like direct flash... whatever it is, a Pinterest board will give us both a visual reference for before and during the shoot.

Your photographer will use this board as one of the tools to plan your shoot, and also will use it during the shoot to provide you and your partner with reference photos that will show you how to pose.

Understand that while you won’t be getting a carbon copy of your board, and that each photographer will have their own style, but that a Pinterest board will serve as inspiration and a starting point for what you and your photographer create.

Don’t Be Afraid to Tell Us What You Want (and What You Don’t Want)

This is your day! Your photographer is here for you. If there’s a photo trend or something you do not want populating your wedding album, don’t hesitate to be loud and proud about your dislikes. Tell your photographer how you feel so that they can do the best job possible when capturing your wedding.

We are very talented as camera people, but we are not mind readers (yet), so please feel free to voice your desires. I’d rather know a client really doesn’t want a certain type of shot up front than have to try and guess what they’re looking for, or worse, deliver images they dislike because I didn’t know better.

Send Your Photographer a Shot List

Your photographer will obviously know to get shots like you walking down the aisle and of you with your wedding party. However, if there are specific shots you want, a shot list is a great way to communicate that, particularly when it comes to photos with particular people. While your Pinterest board will provide more of an idea of the artistic direction you’d like the photos to lean towards, a shot list will arm your photographer with something much more concrete.

Something I have all my clients do is make an itemized shot list for family photos. If you want a photo with your extended relative and also both your sisters, list it and include their names! This also allows me to make sure I’m executing your vision because with a list, I (or my assistant) can check off photos as we take them to make sure we don’t miss a thing, and you don’t miss a memory.

With a shot list, you’re also giving your photographer a better idea of your timeline, and how they need to block off the day. If your photographer knows you want to take a bunch of sunset portraits, they’ll be able to advise that you leave space in your timeline for that, and adjust how much time they give themselves accordingly. You can also ask your photographer about their ideal timeline that would be needed in order to get your requested photos when you communicate your needs in advance.

Have as Many Pre-Wedding Meetings as You Need

Talking to your photographer before the wedding, and before you even hire them, is crucial because it gives you uninterrupted space to ask questions and to set expectations. 

Ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable, everything from their input on ceremony times to how they’ve handled “worst case scenarios” in the past and what their backup plans in case of emergency are. Ask to see sample galleries as well, and make sure you can see yourself in their work.

Having expectations is an important part of picking a photographer. Get realistic about your budget and chosen photographer; you aren’t necessarily going to get those high budget wedding images with a “budget” photographer.

Trust Your Photographer’s Guidance on the Day

Above all, trust your photographer’s guidance on the day. You will have shared with them the needs and desires you have when it comes to your wedding gallery, and it’s their entire job to capture it.

After all the planning, allow yourself to be present and let your photographer lead when needed.

Lighting conditions change, timelines shift, weather happens... and unexpected magic unfolds. An experienced photographer will adapt and still get beautiful images — often better ones than originally planned.