How to get the most our of your Surrey Wedding Photographer
Your wedding day is creeping closer and I’d like to help you with the final decision making. As a surrey wedding photographer, I’ve collected some tips and tricks which can aid you in figuring out the smaller details. You don’t need to memorize any of this because I will send out a questionnaire which summarises what I have discussed.
Wedding Morning Preparations
I like to arrive 2-2.5 hours before your ceremony starts. If both you and your partner are getting ready at the same venue I can switch between the two.
On the morning of your wedding I will shoot still lifes (jewellery, wedding dress, flowers etc) and also the hustle and bustle of what’s going on around.
Plastic bags and mess on the floor look terrible in photographs. I can help do a quick sweep around but my cleaning abilities are not my strongest skill. You could ask mum or a conscientious bridesmaid to lend a helping hand. It will ensure your wedding photos are bright, clear and focused on emotion.
I’ll leave the room when you’re getting the dress on but be back when you’re doing the final touches. After that, we can do some group photos. They don’t take long but we do need a bit of time.
On to the ceremony….
My next job is to get to the church on time. If there are issues with parking please let me know beforehand. My anxiety when I can’t find a space is crazy. Consequently the ideal situation would be a saved car parking space because it makes things so much easier.
Anyway- back to your photographs. I’ll be a fly on the wall during the marriage. Hopefully you won’t even know I’m there.
If your guests put their phones away you can rest assured you will receive amazing photographs. A hundred mediocre photographs taken by anyone and everyone will not equate to a professional one where everyone’s attention is on you. Ask your registrar/celebrant/vicar to announce this request at the beginning of the service.
Post Ceremony
If you’d like a confetti shot on your wedding day now is the best time to do it. I can help organise everyone into two lines which will form a path way for you both to walk down. It’s a really nice way to arrive into your celebration. It usually take 10-15 minutes to shepherd everyone into the right spot. In addition, someone will need to hand out confetti and then we’re good to go. Here are some examples:
Group Photos
I’m pretty laid back about when group photos take place. However I do like to know a loose time frame so I can keep track and help when needs be. The most efficient way of organising the group photos is to have someone finding the people that are in the next group photo.(ie. Bestman, bridesmaid, or someone who knows your family)
Families are complicated things. You’re welcome to let me know if there’s a sensitive subject and we can re-jiggle the group list to make it work. Alternatively, we scrape the idea completely and I’ll concentrate on documenting your day.
If you would like group photos, I recommend picking 5-7 of these suggestions:
- Both of you + your immediate family
- Both of you + your partner’s immediate family
- Both of you + your grandparents
- Both of you + your partner’s grandparents
- Both of you + Siblings
- Both of you + Bridesmaids & Groomsmen
- Groomsmen
- Bridesmaids
- Bestman
- Maid of Honour
Couple Portraits
Golden hour is our best friend. We are relaxed, a little tipsy (I’m not- you are) and our troubles have disappeared. Spare me a little time for a sunset photoshoot and I promise great things.
Here are some suggested time frames for each month. Allowing 20-30minutes for couple portraits will be adequate.
- January: 16.30-17.60
- February: 17.00-18.00
- March: 17.50- 18.50
- April: 19.30-20.30
- May: 20.30 -21.30
- June: 20.40-21.40
- July: 20.40-21.40
- August: 20.10-21.10
- September: 19.00-20.00
- October: 17.40-18.40
- November:15.50-16.50
- December 15.00-16.00
Most couples I work for tell me they’re not 100% comfortable in-front of a camera. So if you’re feeling a little apprehensive about this part of the day you are not alone. You could book an engagement shoot to see how it all works or keep in mind some of the points below.
How to make your portrait session more enjoyable:
- It takes time to relax and enjoy a photo shoot. The first five minutes I’ll probably be faffing about with camera settings so you can take your time to ease yourself in.
- My goal is to capture moments that are meaningful to the both of you. Let yourself have fun and try to forget I’m there. If you can concentrate on one another then the meaningful moments will naturally unfold.
- Trust me to take care of the rest.
What to do now…
To sum up, A questionnaire will be sent to you a month before the wedding. It will contain questions about everything I have discussed above. The form is an invitation to let me know what you would like. I’m here to help so whether there is torrential downpour or clear blue skies trust me that I will give it my all.
All you need to do is have the best time ever!
What to expect after your wedding…
A week after your wedding you will receive 10 of your best images to share with friends and family. After that, (5 weeks max) you will receive a full online gallery will 400+images (depending on the package you originally chose).
If you’re interested in albums there is more info here.
OK that’s it – Thank you for listening! x
PS. If you have read this article but are still looking for a Surrey Wedding Photographer you can get in contact here.
I’m Eleanor, a creative wedding photographer, designer and lover of life. I find inspiration from the people I meet, the places I’m in and the worlds I find within books.
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