7 Things A Wedding Photographer Won't Tell You That You Should Know

Blunt Secrets of the Industry.

1. No, Your Friend Is Not A Photographer.

That's right all of you amateurs (you know who you are). They're probably walking around with consumer cams and iPhones acting like they know how to do our job.

That's probably one of the most difficult things we face in our industry cuz, Hey! With all of this technology at the tip of our fingers, ANYONE with a camera can just do it, right?? WRONG. Don't take it personally if we don't listen to your 'suggestions'.

2. Yes, Taking Photos Takes Time.

Time is our WORST enemy. If it seems like we are rushing, we probably are! Wedding days go by in a flash and we are expected to capture every picture you would ever want. The biggest irony of it all is that you schedule HOURS of time getting ready to look perfect of your pictures, but then expect us to get our photos done in a matter of seconds.

Sure sometimes you'll set a time for a photo shoot, but you forget that we are there to document the whole day. We are used to having to work on the fly but please, please SCHEDULE TIME FOR YOUR PHOTOS THROUGHOUT YOUR ENTIRE DAY!

3. Things Go Wrong.

"But...But...But I've planned this for over a year! It can't be like this!" Oh, man, if we had a nickel for every time something went 'wrong' on a wedding day, we'd double our income. SO start putting it in your head now: something will stray from the 'perfect' itinerary you've so carefully created. Yes, you will most likely be late to your ceremony. Yes, sometimes your flowers don't arrive on time. Yes, your reception hall coordinator is not perfect and may have had a mix-up here & there. DON'T FRET.

The best thing to do is roll with the punches and enjoy your day. We see way too many brides spend more time being upset about things going wrong on what is supposed to be a day you remember as one of your happiest.

How does this affect your photographer? WE CAN'T PHOTOSHOP SMILES.

4. The Pinterest Problem.

NAILED IT! Our view on Pinterest is very much a love/hate relationship. Sure, it can give us some ideas here and there. But nothing is worse than a Pinterest Bride (sorry, it needs to be said). Here's why: "Can you take THIS picture?" "I want my pictures to look like THESE". When we hear that, you might as well set us up for failure - You are not the bride in that picture, We are not in some magical looking location, We have no control over the sun, & we did not take that picture!

And all the while you are demanding requests left and right, you leave no time or opportunity for us to show you OUR style, and the nice photos that WOULD have been taken in that moment just become a faded memory in our own creative minds. So, go ahead, send us some ideas you found but keep in mind I AM NOT THAT PHOTOGRAPHER ON PINTEREST, but we still be doing our best to make your wedding day YOURS :)

5. The Photojournalism Misconception

This is a big one right now so I'll try to keep it simple. The term "photojournalism" has been thrown around so much recently it has kind of taken on a new meaning. Basically it has become what people describe photos that are taken more "candidly" or in the moment, making them appear more natural. Not sure how this term broke into the wedding industry but more and more brides ask for the "photojournalism look" aka they want the pictures to look more natural and don't want to hear us making direction. LOOK, we get it. You don't want your Mom & Dad's boring posed wedding pictures. Pretty old-fashioned right? More than likely we don't want that either.

HOWEVER, direction is NECESSARY sometimes so when we hear you ask for "little to no direction" on your wedding day...you don't get it. Most of the pictures you see that look "natural" are very much posed. We may set you up in a certain spot, tell you to kiss, hold hands or even pretend we are not there - but it's STILL DIRECTION! Not to mention, you can't avoid the family portraits. Even if you do not want those photos, you can best believe that your mother is going to want the 8x10 that will become an iconic family photo on display.

So even though you want the candid look, there will still needs to be direction...otherwise you are going to have to look through thousands of photos that you will HATE how your faces, posture, etc. looks. Just to find that one in a hundred photo that looks ok. Trust me. And if a photographer claims they can shoot a wedding without any direction...BE VERY WARY.

6. We Are Not Robots.

Now, we aren't always treated this way, but sometimes we feel this way. Even though you pretty much pay us to be there for every beck and call, some basic human courtesies are appreciated. Yes, we have names, and it's not "Hey, you, photographer!" We spend all day probably calling out your names & family member names to get everyone's attention. Is it so difficult to reciprocate? It's just ONE NAME, please learn it. Don't worry, you can ask us as many times as you want :).

Also a thought that goes by the wayside more often that not, YES, WE EAT. Believe it or not, we would very much like to sit down for dinner! The ten hours of following you around does wear us out.

7. Yes You Can Tip Us, And Should :)

That is, if you enjoyed your experience. If your photographer seemed to work hard all day and kept up with all this wedding day craziness (and still managed to keep a smile going all day), then a tip is the BEST way to show your gratitude. It doesn't need to be a crazy amount, we know you've spent an arm & leg on this day, but really anything shows us we were at least appreciated on the day of.

Plus, we still have our editing to do, and you want those to turn out nice right? ;)