Hi friends! Jumping in here today with a little wedding planning advice. Regardless of whether you are planning an intimate backyard wedding or an elaborate wedding celebration, selecting the best photographer for your circumstances can make all the difference.
As you search for your wedding photographer, I want to share a secret with you: A lot of the things that make someone a truly phenomenal wedding photographer have little to do with the camera itself. I know, that sounds crazy, right? But it’s true! There are so many things photographers can help their clients with behind the scenes that make all the difference — not just in your photos, but in your overall wedding day experience.
Here’s a handful of hats I often find myself wearing while on the job.
A Venue Scout
As a regional wedding photographer, I’ve seen and shot many venues, which means I have a pretty good idea of which locations tend to work well for certain styles and aesthetics. From mountaintop elopements to garden chic microweddings to big ballroom parties, I can help guide my clients toward a wide variety of engagement shoot and wedding venue choices based on their interests.
A Lighting Expert
A good wedding photographer knows how to capture that golden hour glow as much the magic of a misty afternoon. They know how to bring light (but not too much!) to a candlelit dance floor and late-night sparkler exit. No matter the time of day or the venue you choose, your photographer needs to know how to work with the light with confidence and their own stylistic flair.
A Boutonniere Pinner & Hair Fixer
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve adjusted a flower, lapel, sleeve, ruffle or wisp of hair to make sure the composition of a photo is just right. After all, if the lighting and color of the image is perfect but these little details are off, my clients won’t be happy with the final images. These fixes are so simple but so important for the end result. Find yourself a photographer who takes this extra care naturally and effortlessly.
A Family Wrangler
Your photographer does more than capture photographs of your wedding party — they arrange (and rearrange) everyone, too. They work with height discrepancies, patches of sunlight blinding two people in the back, elders who want to sit down already, groomsmen who are antsy to join the cocktail hour, bridesmaids who can’t stop fidgeting with their hair and makeup… you name it. And they do it all while keeping a smile on their face and, if they’re really good, keeping the experience pretty enjoyable for the whole bunch.
A Source of Calm
A good wedding photographer is more than another vendor. They are a presence — and hopefully a positive and calming one. When you have a clear connection with your photographer, they instill in you a sense of ease and assurance that they have your back, that everything is as it should be, and that you can enjoy the moment without worrying about anything else. You can trust in their calm enough to let go and just be, which for many couples on their wedding day is one of the most coveted gifts.
So when you talk with a photographer and even some of their previous wedding clients, remember to ask about these little details. If they can do it all, then you’re in good hands.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Sarah Keenan, Photographer
Knoxville, Nashville, Asheville
Outer Banks + Williamsburg
Wedding Photographer
