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Sarah-Jane & Dave photographed by Andrew Davis photography close to the English and Welsh borders in The Forest of Dean on their pre wedding shoot.

You want great wedding photographs? Follow these simple tips. (part 2)

Part two of my simple tips on how to get great wedding photographs

Click here to read part one

HAVE AN ENGAGEMENT OR PRE WEDDING SHOOT

Many photographers offer a shoot as part of the package you choose! It doesn’t really matter who you are, you need this. If there isn’t one offered then you should insist that its included!! A pre wedding shoot can be done anywhere from their studio, the venue or even a completely different location that is more personal to you.

A good photographer will help you practice in front of the camera, giving you confidence for your big day. The shoot should be relaxed, but full of instruction. Taking on board these instruction will mean that you wont be asked so much on your wedding day. Hand position and pose is crucial for making the photograph just right and although your outfits will be a far cry from your wedding attire, your bodies won’t and the same rules will apply.

As an added bonus it will help you get to know your photographer. You will spend a terrific amount of time with them on your wedding day letting them see a more private side of your life and theirs.

To some it might be the first professional photographs that they have had taken outside of school, and lets face it they were probably not the best photographs ever taken. Many couples will take away the images from the shoot and use them for something to do with their wedding. They can be used for numerous things such as wine labels, a guest book, guest frame (a large frame with a big mount that can be used for guests to sign, the picture is then changed to one taken during the wedding), or even for your table plan.

TRUST THEM

So you have selected a really good photographer. You’ve seen all of their reviews and maybe even had them recommended to you. This should be all you need to trust that they know what they are doing. Remember though that photographers are ‘arty’ people and often admin is something they almost always forget about, so don’t hold this against them too much!! And if they are in high demand then you might have to wait a little time to see all of your images. There are only so many hours in the day and they are probably trying their best, without rushing or cutting corners to get your images to you as soon as possible. But enough of after your big day. What about during?

Well they will have often had years of practice and will not need to be told what to take photographs of. If you feel, however, they need help on this then you need to select a different photographer. They will probably ask you if there is anything special that you would like to be photographed, but please don’t use this as an excuse to give them a list of what, where, when and who to photograph such as a list of ‘must have’ photographs you found in the  latest bridal magazine, but as an opportunity to let your photographer know what is really important to you. Having a really good professional should leave you feeling stress free about your photography for your big day.

 

Part one

Part three

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