What Does Your Wedding Photographer Want to Know From You?

Planning a wedding is one of those experiences that will be forever remembered. You'll recall the moment you found the perfect dress, the day you and your significant other agreed on the venue, and the second you chose your wedding photographer for those picture perfect moments. The latter is one of the most important of these moments, because those pictures are going to be what really keeps your memory sharp.

Once you’ve chosen your wedding photographer they will usually ask to meet with you to run through some questions, and you may be wondering what it is they want to know. Here we take you through some of the bases they’ll cover, so you can be ready with the answers that best reflect what you want from your wedding photography.

The Family Dynamic

One of the first things that your wedding photographer will want to know from you is your family dynamic. This includes biological family and in-laws. The reason it is important to inform your photographer of your family dynamic is that most pictures taken will include family, and when there is a negative feeling between family members, the entire photograph can be ruined. So, to mitigate this issue, the photographer will be able to be more selective in who stands in a photo and who does not. Also, when mentioning family dynamic, explain which individuals you'd like in certain photos and any standard family photos that you'd like.

What is Your Style

One of the most important things a photographer will ask is what style of photography you have in mind for your wedding photos, and whether you think their portfolio is a good fit for you. You may have chosen the photographer on the basis of price or because they’re a friend or a friend, but it is important to them, and to you, that you actually take the time to look through their past work and make sure you’re happy with their style – because every photographers’ work will be different. Choose some of their photos that you really like the style of so they know along what lines you’re thinking, and if you come across a photo in a magazine, online or even an old family snap that you love, bring them along – the more reference you can provide the better.

Customary or Religious Considerations

The photographer will want to know about the ceremony side of your wedding and any customs or considerations they should be aware of. If they have experience in the type of ceremony you will be having, whether it’s Catholic, Hindu, Greek, Jewish etc., they may also be able to provide you with some insight into considerations that you may not have thought of. For example, many Catholic brides and grooms are not aware that some Catholic celebrants are not comfortable having a photographer circling the bride and groom or stepping onto the altar and causing distractions during the sacrament of marriage. Therefore they must first get permission from their celebrant before inviting a photographer into the ceremony. The more information you can give the photographer, the smoother your day will run – the last thing they want to do is step on any toes or make a faux-pas!

The Venue

In many cases, wedding photographers want to know what to expect when attending a venue. The venue is an extremely important element for photographers to take into consideration – it allows them to plan for lighting requirement as well as brainstorm some creative ideas based on surroundings.

Specifics of the Wedding Day

The photographer will understand the extent of careful planning going into your wedding day, and they’ll want to make sure they fit themselves in seamlessly with the itinerary you have in mind, rather than dictate it for you. To make things easier for the photographer and to allow him or her to do their job, one thing you should do is provide the itinerary and also let them know what specific moments you want to be photographed. This could include after the meal, during dancing, before the ceremony, during the ceremony, and so forth. Being clear about what you want is the best way to go about the process.

The Best Man or Bridesmaid

The next thing to cover is preparation for the photographs. While you can provide as much detail as possible about ‘who’s who’ in the family, the photographer won’t know you or your guests well enough to round up the right group or find Aunt Millie in the bathrooms. As well as this, during the course of taking the pictures someone might need something held, something moved, hair fixed or dress trains moved. While the photographer can direct, he or she cannot take charge of holding things while taking the photograph. So, one thing the photographer will want to know is if you have someone who can help you out during these instances – usually the best man or bridesmaid. It will make the photographer's job easier and it will create a more relaxed environment for better photographs.

About the Author

Anna-Nicole Del Re is a professional photographer and the Marketing & Operations Manager at Viva Photography, a leading Wedding and Portrait photographer in Perth Western Australia and Melbourne Victoria. Connect with Anna-Nicole on Google+.