Are you dreaming of stunning wedding photos (see our epic wedding photos gallery) you can hang on the walls of your home, the kind of images you can show off to family and friends?

Well, it takes more than an awesome photographer to get those kinds of photos—it takes you and your partner working with your wedding photographer to create the images you dream of. It’s definitely a team effort! Check out these five tips for getting epic wedding photos!

Invest in a great photographer.

There are plenty of places in your wedding budget where you can cut costs, but photography shouldn’t be one of them. I know I may be biased but hear me out.

After the wedding is over and the cake is eaten, your photos are all you’ll have left to remember the day. You don’t want to have subpar or basic photos because you asked an amateur photographer family member or an inexperienced photographer to take them so you could save money.

The last thing you want to do is regret not having a seasoned professional wedding photographer capturing your wedding day.

Take time to interview potential photographers and find one who you feel comfortable with and whose images are just the type of photos you want. It’s so very important that you not only like their quality of work but also vibe with them. Remember, you’re going to spend the whole day with this person so make sure you hire someone that you actually like and not just someone with a camera.

And be sure to book your photographer for the whole day, so every moment of your ceremony and reception is covered.

We know every wedding is different, which is why we offer a consultation to help you pick out the wedding photography collection that suits your needs.

What couple doesn’t want those awesome exit photos? Make sure your photographer will be there to capture all the moments that matter to you.

Focus on the love of your life.

A lot of people feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, but of course they still want wedding photos they’ll love! The best thing you can do is focus on your soon-to-be-spouse and remember what the day is all about. If you spend too much time thinking about posing and the positioning of your body, you’ll feel and look awkward. Just focus on your partner, and your body language—and smiles—will be perfectly natural.

One of my favorite things to do with my clients to make them feel comfortable is to create a fun environment that allows them to enjoy the process of being photographed. For me, I approach every session, engagement and wedding, with a jovial mindset. I don’t like taking things too seriously because at the end of the day, this is supposed to be fun! You’re marrying your best friend and I want to make sure I capture every couple being themselves.

Ensure you have plenty of time for photos.

Epic wedding photos don’t happen in a few minutes. Make sure you have a solid chunk of time in your wedding day schedule for couples portraits, especially if you want to wander away from the venue for some gorgeous shots against the natural scenery.

Plus, you’ll need a little time to loosen up and start having fun in front of the camera, and stepping away from all your guests can give you a chance to relax and enjoy the moment.

Take the light into consideration.

I can’t stress this enough, this is so very important. When you’re planning your ceremony time, think about what the light will be like. For example, afternoon light can often be too bright and drain everything of color, while evening light has that golden glow that everyone—including photographers—loves. But there’s a limited window to taking advantage of “golden hour” before the sun sets.

Be sure to talk to your photographer about when the light will be best for photos and try to schedule your portraits around that time if you can. Even if you have an early ceremony and your reception is scheduled during golden hour, try to schedule some time during your reception to “sneak away” for 15 minutes to take advantage of the best light of the day.

And if your schedule for the day doesn’t leave room for evening photos, consider booking a post-wedding shoot to get additional photos in the light you want.

Trust your photographer—and give it your all.

If you want gorgeous photos in the mountains or on the shore of a lake, you have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Let go of your inhibitions and just be yourself! And don’t be afraid if your photographer asks you to venture a little off the beaten path. Trust their ideas and know that the resulting shots will be just the epic images you’re imagining.

I know that most brides don’t want to get their dress “dirty”, and trust me I try to avoid this at all costs, but sometimes you’re going to have to walk through a field to get some epic photos. At the end of the day, you’re going to be able to wash your dress but you won’t be able to take advantage of this time to capture some epic photos. So try not to worry too much about this, you’ll be stoked that took the time and effort to capture these photos.

By taking time to choose the right photographer and trusting their ideas and skills, as well as relaxing and having fun in front of the camera, you can get epic wedding photos to remember the day you married your best friend!
To see what it's like to work with us and more information about my wedding process, checkout my experience page.