7 Must-have Qualities Of Your Wedding Photographer

It’s been said that the substance of excellent wedding photography is emotion.  After all, what good is a wedding picture if the couple is standing somber and just staring at the camera?  Isn’t the picture much more indicative of the day if there was a twinkle captured in the eye of the groom or a tear escaping from the corner of the bride’s eye as she gazes up at her new husband?

Who can resist the pull of heartstrings while looking at a picture of an emotional tearing up mother dancing the mother-son dance? Classic and timeless.  Emotions are definitely the substance of good wedding photography.  How can you make sure you end up with photographs that will stir the emotional memories every time you look at them? Hiring an experienced photographer is a must if capturing the emotion of your wedding is important to you.

1. Finding a wedding photographer who will respect your vision and someone who you feel comfortable with will also ensure a more natural feel to the emotions seen in the photos.

2. It is amazing when a wedding photographer arrives early putting the couple at ease. It goes without saying that the photographer should be familiar with the couple’s family members, as well as the bride and groom. An experienced photographer can follow your vision when giving you gentle guidance on the best locations, timing and poses.

3. Formally posed pictures (formals) are usually placed in a wedding album; however, having an experienced photographer who can also take a photo-journalistic approach to your wedding can get you some unforgettable photographs to help tell the story of your day.

4. An experienced wedding photographer knows how to anticipate and capture important moments. You want a professional, who can capture great memories without interfering with the activities of the day.  Many moments in a wedding are once-in-a-lifetime.  You can’t always redo them to get that missed shot if your photographer doesn’t have the experience necessary to get them the first time.

5. Very often overlooked, great planning skills are a must for a professional wedding photographer. I always make sure that I have a solid wedding day game plan and answers to the following questions:
– photo shoot start- and end time;
– getting ready location(s) and timing;
– must-take photos of the bride and groom’s preparations, any significant details that must be documented;
– first look location and timing;
– location and timing for the wedding portraits, a plan B in case of inclement weather;
– family photo combinations to make sure that no family members are overlooked and that we budget enough time to capture all family photos;
– ceremony timing, location, and logistics;
– reception timing and components (such as grand entrance, speeches, first dance, parents dance, etc);
– friends and extended family photos to be taken during reception.

6. Well-developed soft skills. Everyone wants to have a pleasant experience at your wedding and your photographer will be directly interacting with most of your family and friends. It is important to keep in mind needs of the most vulnerable guests such as children and the elderly. 

7. Advanced photo editing skills. Most wedding photo galleries require color correction and touch-ups before they can be delivered to the client. A great photographer understands the entire process of creating a masterful photograph from taking a great photo to perfecting it further in an advanced editing program.

So, do your homework.  Talk to your prospective photographers.  Look at their previous work.  Read all their references.  Your wedding is too important an event not to get the photographer best suited to your needs.  Finding an experienced, reliable photographer will guarantee a wedding album filled with timeless memories that will tug at your heartstrings and help you relive the emotion of the day every time you look at it.