Eight Things Your Wedding Photographer Wants You To Know

No matter the size of your wedding, no matter the budget, there is a very, very good chance that there will be a wedding photographer there.

Photography is one of the most common non-negotiables couples have at their weddings, right after a venue, food, and attire. And, this is for good reason. Without photos to look back on, it’s almost as if your wedding never happened, right? Yes, you’ll have memories, but photography is essential.

Because photography is so important, your wedding photographer can actually become an integral part of your day. With time and experience, the right photographer can provide much more than photos. Photographers who have been around for awhile have seen and done it all. They know the schedule that works, the right way to corral a crowd, and can provide a ton of great advice.

Eight Things Your Wedding Photographer Wants You To Know

Today’s post is going to share what your wedding photographer wants you to know, strait from an experienced wedding photographer. Deva Akman, a wedding and portrait photographer based in the New York City metro area, was kind enough to help me write this post. Personable and generous, Deva was able to share her wedding advice for couples who want to have the best experience ever.

Let’s get into it!

FIRST, MEET DEVA, WEDDING PHOGRAPHER

As mentioned above, Deva helped with this post, so I want you to get to know her. Though she went to school for Biology and Human Resource Management, her passion is with Wedding and Portrait Photography.

Deva loves being a full-time wedding photographer, and believes that it’s truly special that she’s able to help create work that will outlive her. To quote her, “Photographs tell our stories, shift narratives, and are the only thing left representing us at the end of the day.” How amazing is that?

I enjoyed collaborating with Deva because of how serious she takes her work. She knows that her responsibility as a wedding photographer is to make her clients look their best, but also help them feel comfortable being a bit vulnerable. This helps them bring out their truth in their photos.

To connect with Deva, you can follow her on Instagram @DevaAkmanNYC or visit her website www.DevaAkman.com

1. HIRE YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER EARLY ON

The first piece of advice that Deva shared is to hire your photographer early on. This means right after you know when and where you’re getting married.

Why is this important?

Well, first off, wedding photographers are in high demand. Especially in 2022. There are tons of weddings, and even the most micro of them are still hiring photographers. Second, your wedding photographer may be able to provide an engagement photo shoot, which is always fun. In fact, you can read more about engagement shoots in this post.

And, the third reason you’ll want to hire your wedding photographer early on? Because they know a lot about weddings! If you have questions about your wedding day schedule, timing your ceremony with sunset, getting ready, or late night shots, it’s best to know who you’re working with as soon as possible.

2. TRUST YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Deva wants you to know that once you book your photographer, trust your choice.

Of course, do your research up front. Compare photos and packages and general friendliness between photographers, but once you leave a deposit and sign a contract, put your trust in them. In general, wedding photographers have a lot of passion for their craft. And, they want you to be happy with how your wedding turns out.

This may mean that leading up to your wedding they give you some advice on how you can plan things. Or, it could be that they tell you to pose a certain way while they take a shot. Whatever it is, have trust in them. Your photos will be better and your stress will be lower if you do.

3. BREAK YOUR WEDDING DAY INTO SECTIONS

As mentioned above, your wedding photographer should be able to help you plan out your wedding day schedule. This means that they can tell you roughly how long each section of your wedding should take, and the “important” shots to get during that time.

Wondering what I mean by section? Well, as Deva explained to me, there are five main sections in a wedding. They go as follows; Getting Ready, Ceremony, Portrait, Cocktail Hour, and Reception. Now, every wedding varies, and you may have portraits before the ceremony and all that, but this is roughly the cadence of how the day goes.

When you plan with your wedding photographer, discuss each section of the wedding. Talk about the timing of it, who will be involved, and how the lighting will be. They may suggest making slight changes to your location (such as heading outside, rather than staying indoors) at some points so you can have the best photos possible.

4. HAVE A WEDDING PLANNER OR DAY OF COORDINATOR

I’ve said it before, and Deva agrees with me. Unless you’re having the smallest of weddings, you need to have a wedding planner or day of coordinator. In fact, I wrote all about it in this post.

Here’s the thing. You’ll need someone to direct everything while you’re enjoying your wedding. Things like ensuring the room is properly set up, meeting vendors, telling guests where to be, and making sure the groomsmen are present before dinner is served, are all things that a day of coordinator can help with.

And, yes, you may have some excellent vendors at your wedding. However, as Deva points out, you can’t assume that your venue event manager, catering manager, or DJ will help with the logistical things that will make or break your wedding day experience.

5. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS DURING YOUR WEDDING

This piece of advice is all about your wedding day mindset.

Deva recommends that you remain present on your wedding day. You’ve done the planning. You’ve hired the right vendors. And, all the pieces are in place. So, you should try to relax. Don’t rush it. Take moments to enjoy the events of your wedding day, such as your ceremony, first dances, and cake cutting. Your wedding will be filled with “once in a lifetime” moments. Don’t waste it. Smile and take it in.

If you need some help getting in the right frame of mind, starting on the morning of your wedding day, check out this post for three ways to be centered and relaxed on your wedding day.

6. CONSIDER A FIRST LOOK

Unless you are sticking to the most traditional of weddings, you should think about having a first look.

I got into it further in this post, but a first look is when you see your partner before your ceremony. It allows you to get some jitters out, and enjoy some special and private moments with your partner. Additionally, first looks also have another big advantage. They allow you to get a lot of photos out of the way, before your wedding even begins. This essentially allows you more time to actually be at your wedding.

If you are thinking about having a first look, Deva recommends asking your photographer about it. Find out if they agree that it has advantages. Ask them if how it will impact your timeline. Hear them out on what they have seen in the past, and consider what will work best for your wedding.

7. SOME TYPES OF PHOTOS TAKE LONGER THAN OTHERS

Not being a photographer myself, it’s easy to think that all photos are created equal.

Well, Deva wanted me to share that some photos do take longer than others. Portrait sessions, or coordinated and posed photos with an individual or group, can take a while. Creative or candid shots can be done quite quickly, though.

This should be important to you, because your photographer is bound to ask you what kind of photography you’d like at your wedding. If you are crunched for time, or have limited daylight to work with, you may want to stick to more creative or candid shots, and plan accordingly for the portrait versions.

8. WEDDING ALBUMS ARE WORTH IT

Ah, the wedding album. Do you think you’ll order or create one after your wedding? According to Deva, you absolutely should. And I completely agree.

Wedding albums tell the story of your wedding day. They help to preserve your memories in a tangible way. And, even more importantly, they are an heirloom to pass down through generations. It’s so easy to have everything digital and online, but having prints handy is special.

Some wedding photographers will offer album printing as part of their packages, but you can find ways to create it yourself online after your wedding. This is what I did when we got married, and I absolutely cherish our wedding album years later.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Alright, friends. Hopefully you’ve been able to learn some tips from a wedding photographer. Remember, photography is an integral and almost essential part of any wedding. Your wedding photographer is a wealth of knowledge, and they really do have your best interest at heart. Enjoy your photos, and enjoy your day.

*Big thanks to Deva for her help with this post! If you want to connect with her, or check out her work, you can follow her on Instagram @DevaAkmanNYC or visit her website www.DevaAkman.com