10 wedding day tips from a Queenstown wedding photographer.
10 Tips for getting the most out of your wedding day photography | Ricky B Good | Queenstown wedding photographer
The photos taken on your wedding day are perhaps the most meaningful component of your day.
These images, captured in the most vulnerable and emotional of moments, are heirlooms to hand down and reminders to hold close. But more importantly, they are your memories, captured on one of the very best days of two people’s lives while they express the greatest emotion we hold; LOVE.
Being asked to be a couple’s wedding photographer in Queenstown is such an honour that I never take for granted, I always strive to capture your day with photos that make your eyes pop out of your head like Jim Carey in that Coco-Bongo Nightclub scene from the ‘The Mask’.
A huge part of creating these wedding photos is making sure we’re on the same page.
So here are 10 tips that will help you get the wedding day photos of your dreams:
1 - Create a list of essential shots with your wedding photographer
You’ve hired your dream photographer, and they will go out of their way to ensure that every moment of your wedding day is captured in a beautiful way. That being said, it’s a great idea to put together a list of all the important ‘not to miss’ moments for your photographer so that you can rest assured that they will be included in your final wedding gallery. From the little details, like a special piece of jewellery, an important uncle who’s traveled from far to be with you, or some couple’s portraits that you love — these are all important photos that will tell the story of your day from start to finish. Your photographer will be more than happy to guide you in creating a shot list together before your wedding day.
2 - Plan your ideal wedding day timeline
Creating a timeline of the day’s events and sharing it with your photographer is essential to making sure you are all well prepared for the wedding day. Especially a Queenstown wedding day when there might be some pretty unusual events taking place, such as a helicopter flight immediately after you say “I do.” I always say that it’s a good idea to allow a little bit of extra time between the different sections of your wedding day. For example, allow an extra 15 minutes during bridal preparations in case ‘that friend’ trips over and spills a bottle of champagne on your freshly printed wedding vows. Like everything in life, it all comes down to communication, so talk your wedding photographer through your timeline and schedule photo sessions into your timeline for couple’s portraits, wedding party, family, and any other specific requests.
For more timeline tips take a look at my timeline blog post here: Queenstown wedding photography timeline.
3 - Gather your meaningful items for detail shots
When I photograph weddings I love to take creative detail shots of all the ‘little things’ that make up your wedding outfit. The rings, bouquets, wedding invitations, jewellery, a special perfume, shoes, and cufflinks are all gorgeous details that tell a story and they shouldn’t be forgotten! Your photographer will ask you to get these pieces ready before coming to your bridal/ groom’s preparation location. Personally, I like to show up nice and early to take these photos, it allows me time to find interesting locations to create beautiful photos of your dress and other details.
4 - Hire trustworthy vendors and allow them to work their magic on your wedding day.
It's essential to dedicate time to discover experienced vendors who can elevate your special day, making it both beautiful and stress-free. These professionals have accumulated a wealth of knowledge from their extensive involvement in various events, enabling them to guide you adeptly through the preparations and the actual ceremony. Whether it's a wedding coordinator, caterer, DJ, or photographer, these experts form your dedicated wedding team, ensuring that your dream day becomes a reality. Rely on their expertise to navigate the complexities, draw from their insights, and trust them to manage the details effectively. Their seasoned presence can significantly contribute to an unforgettable event.
5 - Consider a ‘first look’ before the ceremony
I absolutely love this modern tradition to weddings and for me it is one of the favourite memories from our wedding day. It gives you and your fiancé a moment to see each other for the first time in a more private setting. First looks are a photographer’s dream because it allows extra time for a few portraits while you are fresh and looking your best. I also find the ‘first look’ reactions to be so genuine, romantic and just outright amazing! Either way, talk to your wedding photographer about the different ways in which you can create a memorable first look moment.
6 - Allow your photographer to guide you to the light and direct you to the best locations.
To elaborate on wedding tip #5 (putting trust your vendors) – allow your wedding photographer to gently guide you towards locations, direction, and most importantly light, that will make you look your best and create epic photos. I’m open to creative ideas from my couples, however if there is a harsh shadow, speckled light or weird colours in the background I may suggest other options.
If you’re like most people and you don’t feel comfortable in front of the lens, it can be a nice idea to schedule an engagement session with your wedding photographer before the big day to get used to how the flow of couples photos happen (spoiler alert: you’ll have a great time and realise it’s actually a lot of fun.)
7 - Schedule time for a couples photo session during golden hour.
Golden hour is one the coolest time of the day for the couple and their wedding photographer to sneak off and shoot a quick session with this stunning light. Or you could plan your helicopter adventure for this time of the day. Imagine being on the side of a mountain or on a private beach with the sun casting a heavenly glow over the water, while you and your partner’s silhouettes are captured by the magical light of dusk… Yeah, epic!
Not matter how you want to capture the sunset, allow at least 20-30 minutes with your wedding photographer about an hour before sunset for golden hour photos. You will not regret it!
8 - Trust your photographer’s creativity
One of my favourite photos I’ve ever taken was with my couple standing right up against a bush to create a heavy shadow while the last drops of sunlight streamed into the lens, I was crouched in a very odd and nearly anatomically impossible position underneath them, but this created a truly stunning glowing-silhouette on their faces as they were leaning in for a newly wed kiss. Personally I categorise myself as a ‘creative and candid’ wedding photographer, meaning I’ll find the most epic compositions and lighting and let you enjoy each others company while I shoot (usually with my camera in silent-mode.)
9 - Openly embrace the unexpected
There has been a massive amount of planning that you’ve put into your wedding, and it is one of the most special moments of your life. That being said, please sink into the moment and embrace the unexpected! The day will go by in the blink of an eye and, even though your wedding day photographer will capture all the monumental moments, my grandest desire for you is that you live each of these moments as fully and as presently as possible. As Ram Dass said “the root of all suffering is resistance of the present moment.”
Here’s a recent instagram post about a couple embracing a -5 degree snowstorm with 100km/h winds, and having a beautiful time doing it! - “Embrace the moment!”
10 - Be yourselves and have some fun!
This is my number one tip for getting the most of out of your wedding day photos! I believe we are here on this planet to have fun and share the love. It’s simple, if you’re having a great time on your big day, your photos will be an incredibly true reflection of the unique moments you and your partner share. So, mash cake frosting playfully onto your partner's nose! Whisper a dirty in-joke into your new husband’s ear. Bust out your best (or worst) dance moves on the dance floor with reckless abandon! Ignite sparklers and twirl beneath the canopy of stars. Pop champagne like a Formula One driver on the podium. Down some Jager-bombs, and just generally be your beautiful self with your closest peeps. Revel in the beauty of your wedding day and enjoy the most legendary celebration of your life!
