How to ensure you get the best photos

12 Mar

Beautiful light makes for beautiful images.

Ceremony Timings

I strongly suggest that you avoid having your ceremony between the hours of 10am and 2pm. The light is harsh and shadows are strong.

Ceremony timing for winter weddings is very important. Your ceremony should start no later than 2-3 hours before sunset.

When planning your ceremony with your venue and celebrant make sure that you will be standing in a spot with even light - you should ideally visit your ceremony space before your wedding and at the exact same time as your ceremony is scheduled so that you can see what the light looks like.

Avoid dappled light under a tree and avoid ceremony spaces where one of you will be standing in light and the other in shadow. This type of light is difficult to shoot in and also gives you images that are less than flattering.

Allowing Enough Time

General Guidelines

Groom and groomsmen pre-ceremony - 30 minutes to 1 hour
Bride and bridesmaids pre-ceremony - 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Family Photos after the ceremony - 15 to 20 minutes (depending on how many groups you wish to have photographed)
Location photos/Portraits (wedding party) - 10-20 minutes (depending on size of wedding party)
Location photos/Portraits (couple) - 30 - 45 minutes

*A note on your couple portrait time

I like to think of this part of the day as a chance for you and your new husband/wife to take a little breather and enjoy each other’s company away from your guests. Please allow at least 30 minutes for your couple portraits. I like to use this time for us to explore our surroundings and for you to relax and have some alone time with your partner.

Dancefloor - 30-45 minutes

A Few Other Tips

Hair & Makeup

Your hair and makeup should be complete (entire bridal party, including touch-ups) no later than one hour before you head to your ceremony. This will allow you to get in your dress without rushing and for me to take photos of you all dressed before I head to the ceremony.

Groom and groomsmen

The groom’s party should be showered, shirts ironed and ready to start dressing when I arrive.

Travel

When planning your timeline, please also factor in all the travel between all the locations. If there is no easy parking for me, please keep in mind the extra bit of time that it will take me to park my car and get to you.