When searching for your wedding photographer you should ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS hire a professional that has been in the business for years, knows the ropes and can give you direction for your big day. An experienced wedding photographer knows the day of timeline and wedding flow like the back of their hand. Yes really… I can tell you right off the top of my head how a wedding day should flow! From the detail shots of the venue and dress, to the getting ready with the bridesmaids and moms, to the oh-so special ceremony, family and bridal party photos, and then have some fun at the reception.
A pro wedding photographer knows what’s next and will always have your best interest at heart. Reminder these photographs are heirlooms that will be passed down generation to generation.
We will start with the obvious, LIGHTING! Learning how to work with light is soooo important in photography. Bad lighting can ruin a good photo. From the settings on a camera, photographing in manual, to the ever changing light outside, good lighting is key to any amazing photograph. A skilled professional will know the right settings, what time the sunsets/rises for that gooey golden hour light, where to find the shade, and how to achieve the best lighting possible in any situation. Because yes, it does rain on a wedding day every once in a blue moon here in Texas. A newbie photographer will likely have trouble during the day getting all the settings right in camera, which may lead to stress, needing extra time and even missed moments through out the day if they are trying to figure out the camera settings. Yikes.
Fun side story, I pretty much taught myself photography when I was 15, in high school, while taking photo journalism and yearbook. In class we really focused more on the writing aspect and didn’t pay much attention to the photography side. Luckily, I was obsessed with cameras and taking photos so I learned by trial and error. So, I have deff been there, done that.
With that being said, I know every photographer has to start somewhere! We have all been there, no matter what your profession is. This blog post is not for bashing newbies, but showing you how very important it is on your wedding day to hire a professional wedding photographer versus a “cheap deal”. Save your friend offering you a free shoot for a family session or a fun session. But your wedding day should be captured picture perfectly and just how you imagined it, flawless.
Posing is also a huge thing! Yes, wedding photographers know all the Pinterest poses and poses that will look best for you as a couple. Sometimes the guy is way shorter than the girl, or the girl is taller than the guy, we know these things are real and know how to pose you correctly and also make you feel comfortable while posed too. Because a good pose + not comfortable = bad body language and it will more than likely show through the photos. So relax, and know we have so many poses for you as couple, for family photo line ups, and even the fun bridal party pics.
Knowing this is YOUR big day, I know what photos you are wanting and the style. I promise to have open communication between myself and the couple, before and during the wedding. Knowing that, I pull up your Pinterest board you sent me as well as the photo list you may have for me during the wedding day. Most of the time the style is the same for my photography work. I have spent many years developing my signature Wild Rose wedding photography style for my brand and business. I like to call it- bright and airy and real. But it is not only a cohesive look that sets me apart from the rookies. It is the REAL candid moments of this magical day, the laughs, the cries, the smiles and all the hugs in between. I am there for it all. Which brings me to reliability! Wedding pros have you marked on the calendar, contracts signed, invoices paid, all before the wedding and we know it is our responsibility to be there. Our jobs and reputation count on it! Literally photography is my career, it pays my rent, pays my car payment and groceries. I can’t tell you how many last minute booking inquiries I get because a friend of a friend who was going to be the photographer for the wedding backed out. A pro would never leave you stranded on your big day, in fact we reassure you so much that you won’t even have to worry about photography at all.
At the end of the day, hiring a real professional photographer will have you at ease on your wedding day and peace of mind.
