10 Quick & Simple Hacks To Ensure That You Love Your Wedding Photography, From Sara Dalrymple

Good day my lovelies and here we are in June! This year is absolutely flying by isn’t it? I can now officially say that I get married next month and, I have to be honest, I’m excited and terrified about my wedding photos in equal measure.

I love my photographer and have total confidence in her but I’m still a little nervous about featuring in all those photos! If you feel like this too (please tell me that you do!) or if you’re currently looking for the perfect photographer for you, then you’re going to love these super quick and simple hacks from the brilliant Sara Dalrymple that will absolutely ensure that you LOVE your wedding photography. Take it away Sara…

Your wedding photography is one of the most important aspects of your wedding day as, while the day itself will fly by, the photos will document the joy and coming together of your closest friends and family for a lifetime. A set of photos you love will allow you to relive the day again and again for years to come.

But, how are you supposed to know where to start when it comes to getting the wedding photography of your dreams? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of wedding photographers out there, then read on.

First and foremost, it’s important to say that NO wedding photographer wants you to be anything other than delighted with your lasting record of the day, so we’ll do anything we can to help you find the perfect one for YOU.

I’ve put the tips below together to help you keep things simple and I’ve included some quick and easy tips that I share with all my couples to ensure that your photography goes without a hitch on the big day too. So, let’s start with choosing your photographer and here are five hacks to help you on your way.

Five Wedding Photography Hacks

1. Before you start, ask married friends and family what they loved/didn’t love about their wedding photography experience. What worked well and what didn’t? It’s so much easier to look back with hindsight so why not use that to your advantage?
2. Make sure that you have a really clear idea in your mind of the style of photography you like so that you can set about finding a photographer who is the right person to capture it.
3. This is a big one, and so intuitive – find a perfect match for your style! I really can’t stress this one enough as to me, finding a photographer who is a good fit for your wedding is like finding a dress that feels like you, it’s NON-NEGOTIABLE! It goes without saying that you should find someone whose work you’re drawn to but, on top of this, does the photographer match your style? Perhaps you’re getting married in a field in peak summer so ask your photographer if this is something they’re comfortable shooting and perhaps ask them to show you examples of similar weddings they have shot so that you can get a feel for how your own photos might look.
4. Find someone that you like and trust. I always say that your perfect wedding photographer should be someone you instantly warm to and feel like you could be friends with. Are you/they a ‘people person’? Are they the right kind of personality to blend in with your guests and family and get the best out of them? For example, if you’re a rowdy bunch, a shy photographer might not be a perfect fit but, if you’re more introverted, you might really value a soft and reassuring voice to guide you through the day. Finding a personality match will help you in so many ways and your photographer is the only supplier who is around you and your guests all throughout the day. If you can find someone you feel comfortable around, chances are your friends and family will also feel comfortable being photographed by them.
5. Try not to choose your photographer based solely on what they charge as, at the cheaper end of the market, the chance of you ending up being completely happy with the end result is lower. The best photographers are experts who’ve built up years-worth of technical experience in shooting all different light conditions. We have invested heavily in training and equipment, seen hundreds of wedding and know how to find the best and most magical light in any situation from bright summer days to dark winter weddings. We know how to make the light fall perfectly on your face and we know all the best angles for flattering photos of all generations.We know how to blend in with the crowds while putting even the most camera-shy people at ease and we also know exactly where to be at every point in the day to get the winning shot without you even noticing that we’re there. We can guide you on everything from how to arrange the timings for the day to where to set up the microphone for speeches and how to make sure that your dance floor is THE place to be all night. A great photographer is a master at capturing the full range of emotion that is on display at a wedding day and they’ll deliver a set of photos that will make you feel happy every time you look at them. So, if you find an expert photographer that you can really trust but price is the stumbling block, perhaps consider having fewer hours of coverage on the day but keeping that quality level there.

Once you have your dream photographer booked, following these final five hints and tips will make your photography on the day even better.

Five Additional Wedding Photography Hints & Tips

1. Declutter your getting ready space. Whether this is at home or at a hotel, put the mirror in a light spot, think about where in the room you’ll get into your dress and make sure there is as little ‘stuff’ as possible in the room.
2. Confetti shots! When it comes to confetti, more is definitely more! Brightly coloured confetti works especially well (biodegradable varieties are available) and confetti bombs are worth the investment if you’re allowed them at your venue. Also, make sure you’ve briefed an usher to tell guests to throw confetti UP rather than AT you!
3. Agree with your photographer in advance what the list of group shots will be and, on the day, make sure that your group shots are a super slick process by recruiting an usher or bridesmaid with a loud voice to help get the right people in the right place at the right time. This significantly reduces the amount of time it takes for you to capture these important shots, giving you more time to mingle with your guests and sip champagne!
4. For speeches, it’s really worth considering where these will take place. This is SO often overlooked but it can make all the difference. For example, don’t put the microphone against a blank wall if you have a beautiful fairy light wall at the other end that no-one’s looking at. The ambient light of the fairy lights makes the perfect backdrop for speeches so if you have one, use it! Otherwise, try to make sure that the speeches take place in a well-lit part of the room where possible.
5. Ensure that your dancefloor is packed all night by putting together a killer play list for your band or DJ! After dinner and speeches, your guests will be ready to let loose on the dance floor and photos of you all together throwing your best shapes are often some of the best of the day!

I hope that you’ve found these hacks and tips helpful and that they help you get the perfect photographer, and photographs, for you.

Wow! Thank you so much Sara and I’m sure you lovely readers will agree that that feature was absolutely packed with fabulous tips and ideas that none of us will forget in a hurry. Here’s to wedding photography to love forever!

To find out more about wedding photography by Sara Dalrymple, just click here. You’ll be able to find more information about Sara’s approach plus package and pricing details here but I’d urge you to take a peek into her gorgeous wedding gallery – these images will give you all the feels, I promise you that!

Love,

Tamryn x