Most Common Wedding Photography Mistakes Couples Make

Your wedding day will be, without a doubt, one of the most important days of your life. And the only way to truly freeze those moments is with wedding photos. But without proper planning, though, you can easily botch this special moment. Here are eleven of the most common wedding photography mistakes couples make.

1. Not Hiring a Professional Photographer

While it may be a nice thought to give your budding photographer niece or nephew a chance to shoot your wedding with their iPhone, it’s probably not the best idea. Your wedding day photos should last a lifetime, and these are photos you hope to share with your children (and grandchildren). The last thing you want is someone with no wedding photo experience or a bunch of mediocre shots. Skilled wedding photographers can ensure you get exactly what you want – special photos you can be proud to look back on.

2. Not Researching Photographers Thoroughly

Like with any project, the more research and preparation you put in, the better the outcome. Your wedding photos are no different. If you’re looking to capture your wedding day in the best way possible, you’re going to need to hire a professional wedding photographer. But not just any professional wedding photographer – one whose style (and budget) matches yours. Take the time to research different photographers and make it clear what you want by sharing a detailed shot list. They’ll know what you want, and they can communicate what they can deliver. For example, if you have a wedding shot list that includes the bride, the groom, the guests, the decor, the musicians, and more, you may want a main photographer and a second shooter. This will ensure the main photographer focuses on just the bride and groom while the second shooter captures the guests. More coverage means preserving more memories, and that’s the goal.

3. Not Looking Through Their Portfolio

If you’re looking for the perfect wedding photographer, start by looking through their portfolio. You don’t have to understand lighting or composition. What’s important is how you feel when you look at their photos. If the photos grab you, that’s a good sign. To zero in on your own style, scroll through social media for inspiration and create a mood board of wedding photos you like.

4. Not Hiring a Second Shooter

Professional wedding photographers often bring along a second shooter because they’re aware of how much footage they need to capture. Your photographer can only cover so much. Hiring a second shooter will ensure there are no special moments missed – whether it’s children on the dance floor or unplanned moments with the bridesmaids. If your goal is to capture the wedding in its entirety, a second or even a third shooter is a great idea.

5. Being Unclear About What You Dislike

If there’s a certain type of photo you’re not a fan of, don’t hesitate to speak up. Hate posed group shots, for instance? Say so. Your photographer can focus on getting candid photos and “lifestyle photos” instead. Being articulate about what you don’t want is just as important as sharing what you do, and your photographer will have a solid idea of the kind of images to deliver.

6. Not Scheduling a Pre-Wedding Photo Shoot

With your upcoming wedding, you may be pressed for time and extremely busy. But it’s important to set a day aside to have a pre-wedding photo shoot. This will give you time to see how your wedding photographer works. It’s also like a practice session for both of you. The photographer gets to see the venue lighting and go over lighting details, while you get to go over the wedding day timeline and the photography shot list to ensure everything goes smoothly when the big day arrives.

7. Not Including Extra Time for Portraits

It’s easy to get caught up in the day and forget the family portraits until someone starts heading for the door. To avoid this, schedule a specific time with your photographer in advance for family photos. If you work with a wedding planner and photographer, even better. You can leave this detail up to them. They’ll coordinate the timing and gather everyone together so you don’t have to micromanage the photography shoot.

8. Making Your Photography Shot List Too Long

Remember that a photographer has a limited amount of time to shoot the photos. If your shot list is too long or there’s insufficient time allocation for photography, it simply won’t be possible to get all the shots in. Hand over the key shots you’d like to get, and give them the freedom to get creative with the rest. If you have already discussed your preferred style together, then trust them to deliver some amazing moments.

9. Not Sharing Wedding Surprises With the Photography Team

There’s a lot going on at weddings, and photographers are always on the lookout for key moments. However, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is not letting your photographer know about a wedding surprise you’ve planned. If you want them to capture it perfectly, they need a heads-up. They may be catching touching moments between the groom’s parents, for example, and completely miss your big surprise. By letting them know beforehand, they can be in the right place at the right time and have everything ready to go.

10. Posing Too Much for Your Photos

Overposing can leave you looking stiff and awkward. Instead, try to relax and have fun, and let your photographer simply capture you as the day unfolds. By being in the moment, your photographer will be able to capture candid moments that are real and unrehearsed. And though you’ve put a lot of thought into hiring a professional photographer, forgetting that a camera is even around that day will ensure the photography team captures genuine emotions throughout the day.

11. Overlooking the Decor

Photographing the details of your wedding, like the cake, invitations, and the table settings, is just as important as capturing the big moments. While this may seem like a small part of your wedding, these touches set the tone and look of the day. Make a list of the details you’d like to capture and make sure to point them out to the photographer (or second shooter) on your wedding day.

Planning your wedding? Here are some additional blogs that can help you make the most of your wedding shoot:

If you need a Miami-based professional photographer to shoot your wedding, explore Daria Koso’s wedding gallery and reach out to discuss your plans.