What to Expect from Wedding Photos

A lot of people don't realize upfront just how difficult booking wedding photos can be. There are so  many options out there. There are tons of amazing photographers, all with entirely different price points and ways they run their business. Even once you choose a photographer, it can be hard to choose which package is right for you.

I remember when I was booking my wedding photos, I was excited because all we wanted were engagements, and wedding day coverage. I didn't want my husband to see me in my dress before the big day, so formals seemed unnecessary. 

Then, we got married in January, in the middle of the day, in the freezing cold. I still love our wedding pictures, but being the photo maniac that I am now, part of me wishes I had done a formal session so I had more display-able (is that a word?) photos of us in our wedding-best. (Especially since I can't even fit into my dress anymore. Sigh.)

One thing I like to try and make clear to my brides is what kind of photos to expect from each session, and why there are so many different packages available! They aren't all just photos of you two in a white dress and black tux. Each session offers something a little different.

Engagements:

Engagement sessions are my personal favorites. I love finding unique interests the couple shares and trying to incorporate them into their photos. I love designing wedding announcements, and I love the outfit and location changes. I think I put more time and effort into engagements than any other session, because I want my couples to have a lot of different photos to choose from, and to have a bunch of beautiful photos to hang on the wall of their new home together. 

Usually when I'm taking family pictures and take one of just mom and dad together, they tell me, "We haven't had a photo with just the two of us since our engagements!" This is why engagements are so important.

But too many of my clients cancel their engagement session because a family friend offered to do them for free. 

Sometimes, it's fine. If that family friend is a photographer, I am more than happy to step aside and just cover the wedding day.

But if that family friend just bought a camera and wants to be a photographer someday, feel free to let them do your pictures, but let a professional take them too. These aren't pictures that can be redone in a few years. As a frugal person myself, I understand wanting to save money where you can, but remember that these pictures are important and worth the investment. You won't remember the money a few years down the road, but you will always have the photos.

Bridals:

Bridals were another session I thought I didn't want, and my excuse was that I didn't need pictures of myself hanging on the wall, I wanted pictures of both of us.

What I failed to consider was that everyone from my mom to my grandma to everyone my mom has ever met would have loved a fancy shmancy photo of me in the expensive dress I only got to wear for one day, with my hair all beautiful and my pink wedding shoes.

I love bridals because they give us a way to capture those tiny (but expensive) details like the back of your dress, your hair, veil or hair clips that you probably won't see in wedding day photos. They let you slow down and spend time just focused on the bride and all the little details surrounding her.

Plus, you get to play Princess for an extra day. Who doesn't love that?

Formals:

If you still feel like bridals are a tad too narcissistic for your taste, formals are a great option that I SO WISH I had taken advantage of.

So many couples think a formal session is unnecessary because you will get pictures together the day of the wedding. But just like bridals, it is so nice to be able to slow down and take the time to get really amazing pictures together, not just the somewhat rushed pictures of your wedding day. 

Formals are also a great way to do a "groomal" session (since Grooms generally don't want their own session) and to also get a some first-look photos. Remember how I was so concerned about my husband seeing me in my dress before the wedding? Well I really wish I had some pictures of when he finally did!

Ceremony:

This is such an important one to know what you are asking for when you book. Make sure to be extra clear with your photographer what your venue is like, and what kind of photos you want from the ceremony. As the photographer, I am usually running around like a mad man trying to get photos from every angle and not miss the ever important kiss. It's also helpful to ask if your photographer offers second-shooters. Having a second shooter at your ceremony will get you a lot more pictures, and ensure that nothing important is missed. Sometimes I do videography for a ceremony, and it's always good if the couple gets me in touch with the photographer first so we can be sure not to be in each others way, and make sure we each catch the most important moments. 

After Ceremony/After Temple:

Whether you get married in an LDS temple or have a civil ceremony, I think photos after the ceremony are some of the most common. It's a perfect opportunity because generally all of the family is together, dressed up, and not yet exhausted from the day.

Generally after ceremonies I like to get large group shots, smaller family photos, and photos of whoever the bride and groom want photos with before we separate and do some with just the bride and groom. This doesn't usually leave more than an hour or so before a luncheon or reception or whatever the next scheduled event of the day is, so it's important to keep in mind how much time you'll have for these photos when you plan your day. If you are getting formals done beforehand, you may not care if your time for photos with your new spouse has to be cut short. But if these are the only photos you'll have together in your formal wear, make sure to leave plenty of time for you and your photographer to get all the shots you want. 

Reception:

Receptions are the other most common sessions that I have booked as far as weddings. Everyone wants to have their reception covered. However, I think it's good to know that reception photos are usually so different from the rest of the wedding sessions. For the most part, reception photos are candid. They don't often have the best lighting, so although a good photographer can still take great photos, they won't be the same as a styled session. If there are any guests you want photos with, or special moments you don't want missed, make sure your photographer knows about them beforehand!

For those who have been married before, what were your favorite wedding photos & why?

For those getting married, what photos are you most excited for?

To Prop or Not to Prop?

When setting up sessions, I often get asked whether I have props and set ups that I will bring to the session. For me, props just aren't really my style. I love a nice, clean portrait session. But sometimes, props are perfect for the style of that particular session. So the question to ask yourself is: are props important to your session, or are they going to look dated in a few years?

When to Prop:

Sentimental Reasons:

Some of my favorite shoots are ones that are taken annually for sentimental reasons. Whether it's a photo of a family member who has passed on, or a stuffed animal to remember a child who never got to be in the family photos, sometimes props can be a wonderful way to make a photo even more meaningful. 
If you're the kind of person who gets pictures done regularly (and you should be!!) props can also be a fun constant in your photo to show how much your family has grown and changed over time.

Themed Sessions:

During mini sessions, I use props more than any other sessions. Usually, my mini sessions are themed, and it's fun to have a cute little set up to get a few quick shots. My kissing booth is a favorite every Valentines Day, and I love the old fashioned desk we use for Back to School minis.

I also occasionally set up sessions with fun props that are specific to that person or family at that time. This cute two year old loved any kind of ball, so we took these fun colorful pictures for his birthday. They will be a fun way to look back and remember what he was like at this age!

And of course, if a prop helps to tell a story, they are a great addition to any session!

When to Skip the Props:

When you've fallen into the Pinterest trap:
I love Pinterest for finding new ideas for poses or props, but it's easy to get carried away with ideas that don't always turn out in real life the way they do online. Remember that a lot of ideas on Pinterest that require a lot of props or set up may end up looking too common or dated later on. That said, if you find something you love, it doesn't hurt to ask your photographer if it's something you can do, maybe with your own unique twist.

Props can be a fun way to add some interest to your photoshoot, but I would urge you not to get too hung up on props- plain, simple sessions can be gorgeous and meaningful. Sometimes, it's best to let the photo, the location, or the subject speak for itself. 

Orchard Sessions

What a crazy couple of weeks it's been! In 2 weeks, I shot 17 different sessions all in this same orchard. Although it can be hard to keep it interesting and different with that many sessions, it's such a gorgeous location and every family is so different, I never got bored! (Although I was starting to feel like I lived there.) I even had my own family pictures taken there by one of my fellow Two Color Photography Creative Team members. I just love those gorgeous blossoms, spring colors, and updated family photos!!