How I Approach A Wedding Day

What do you want to remember? How do you want to feel? 

When you look back on your wedding photos, I want you to feel the story of your day unfolding to you, and not just a collection of portraits combined into an album. I want you to remember your grandma’s expression when she hugged you, and remind you of how you looked at each other moments after you said “I do”. Your wedding day will fly by, but it’s my hope that these images remain with you forever. 

PROCESS

My style is documentary, whimsical, and candid. I believe the best images often happen in the in-between. I prioritize timelessness and authenticity over current trends – striving to create photos that take you back to how you felt that day. I embrace a bit of grain and blur, darkness as well as light, and anything else that conveys emotion. I’d rather have a blurry image than a missed moment. 

I wrote this post in order to help you visualize the way I photograph a wedding. Keep in mind, every wedding is unique. I want you to have a wedding that reflects your personality and your story. I encourage you to do things differently to make your wedding special – that way it means much more to you.

I focus on the moments, rather than posed photographs. This will allow you to fully experience your day, without my presence interrupting that. In the end, your wedding images will remind you of how it felt to be there. 

My wedding photographs reflect character and individuality. Every couples’ story is different and everyone’s story is worthy. It’s my job to capture the candid exchanges and the honest love of your day. 

WEDDING DAY TIMELINE

I know that creating a wedding day timeline can be complicated. One way of anchoring your schedule is to know when the sun will go down – you will then know when the light will be the best and plan your day backwards from that point. If you plan to have a ceremony outside, the best time for light would be about 2-3 hours before sunset.

On a typical 8 hour wedding day, I’m usually able to photograph you from getting ready until the party. It’s important to plan a loose schedule, unexpected events and delays can happen. A loose schedule allows you to enjoy your wedding day and not feel stressed for time.

Example of a 8 hour coverage:
12:30am Getting Ready, 2:00 First look, 4:00 Ceremony, 4:30 Cocktail, 5:00 Group Photos, 6:00 Dinner, 7:30 Speeches/Reception, 8:00 First Dance, 8:30pm End Coverage.

GETTING READY

I usually start covering getting ready photos 2 to 3 hours before the ceremony. This gives me enough time to take pictures of the bride, the groom, your closest ones, details, and the environment.

With a 8 hour day, I always photograph from getting ready until the first dances. Getting ready moments are a great time to capture lots of details from different relationships you have with your family and friends. I usually don’t direct you at this time, apart from telling you where the best light is. I prefer to photograph things as they naturally happen. 

Choose a location meaningful to you both. A place with large windows, uniquely decorated spaces, and light walls for lots of reflective light. I recommend getting ready at your own home or looking to rent out a home on AirBnB

ENVIRONMENT

 I like to include photos that capture the space and environment in a way that help tell your story and document the day.

FIRST LOOK

Before the ceremony, I highly encourage you to do a first look, which takes around 20 minutes. This allows for emotional and intimate photos of you both. It’s a chance for you two to have alone time before guests arrive, and relax the nerves you might have before the ceremony. First looks are taken at a convenient location with good light.

If you prefer to see each other during the ceremony, then we will take some time to get a few portraits right after it. It will give you time to soak in the importance of the day and have some time alone. It also allows your guests to get ready for cocktail hour.

If you are trying to decide between having a first look or seeing each other at the ceremony. I recommend doing a first look. This way you can enjoy a special moment together before the ceremony and release the stress. You can also have a first look with your parents if you would rather save your first look with each other down the aisle.

BREAK

Right before the ceremony, I suggest you take a 30-60 minute break from photos to get ready and relax. This allows me to take a short break to prepare for the ceremony and capture any additional details. 

CEREMONY

It’s time for the big moment. Civil and bespoke ceremonies are the most emotional ones and are also ones I love the most to photograph. It’s my favorite part of the day when I get to listen to your friends and family talking about why you are so special to them and how much they love you.

COUPLES PHOTOS

At the end of cocktail hour, while your guests head to dinner, or during dinner (depending on the light) I take a few minutes to capture portraits of you two with the best light of the day, golden hour.

During your wedding day I will usually set aside 5-10 | 5 minute sessions taking photos of just you two in a natural way.

It’s a great moment to step back, reflect and share the emotions you are feeling during your wedding day with your partner. I will direct you to help you feel comfortable but I will never make you do things that aren’t you. These photos are essentially taken to create a great moment together and I’m only here to photograph the memory of it and capture the way you love each other.

GROUP PHOTOS

Immediate family photos are taken either 1 hour before the ceremony or during the cocktail hour. All other group photos are captured just before or during cocktail hour. These photos are traditional but still important for some members of your family, even if some couples want to keep it really short, we usually shoot around 6-8 groups. I shoot a mix of formal and candid shots.

COCKTAIL HOUR 

Cocktail hour is for you to relax and enjoy some drinks with your guests. I use this time to photograph you and your guests having a great time.

DINNER

In the evening, I photograph the dinner during speeches but I won’t photograph you eating, so I always eat during the same time as you. Sometimes the couple will seat me with the guests, which I love because it allows me to be part of the moment. Other times, I’m seated with the other vendors in a separate room which is fun, too.

RECEPTION

It’s time to relax and celebrate! Reception photos include first dances, guests, cake cutting, speeches, and happy moments. Any additional group or family photos requested by you can be done at this time.

PARTY

It’s time for you and your loved ones to fully let loose on the dance floor. I usually stay 30 minutes after the first dances. This allows me to capture a wide variety of your guests out on the floor.

MY ARTISTIC STYLE

You probably noticed that I love black and white photos. Depending on the style of your wedding, I usually deliver about 35% of the photos in black and white. I will determine if each image is better in color or in black and white, and edit it according to which will look the strongest. Some photos will look better in black and white and others in color.

I love photographing people and it’s really what I focus on during your wedding day. While it’s important to photograph both the people and details, my main focus is on your loved ones and the moments being created by them throughout the day. 

I capture photos in a certain way to represent the emotions from the day. Many factors like your personalities, the weather, the atmosphere of your wedding, and the environment will all influence the way your wedding photos turn out. While each wedding and each couple is different. I do my best to honor who you both are.

WHO ARE THE COUPLES I PHOTOGRAPH?

– Couples who want a relaxing day and want to celebrate with the people who are part of their story.

– Couples who are okay with the imperfect and appreciate the in-between.

– Couples who want to be present with the people they love most – prioritizing living the experience over following a shot list.

– Couples who trust my vision and craft. I focus on capturing the emotions and connections between you and your wedding guests, with an artistic and creative point of view.

I document your wedding day as I would like my own wedding to be photographed and I put all my energy into capturing timeless memories that my couples will cherish forever.