wedding 2023 | Photography tips

Capture the Beauty of your Special Day

by Anne Pyburn Craig

date posted: March 15, 2023

Working with your wedding photographer to make a beautiful record of your celebration will be easy if you hire someone whose aesthetic taste and style match yours.

Wedding photos are made to be treasured for years after your special day. Working with your wedding photographer to make a beautiful record of your celebration will be easy if you hire someone whose aesthetic taste and style match yours. While you’re looking through portfolios, note the photographer’s skill in lighting, composition, and working with subjects to capture genuine expressions of joy.

Top Left: Photo by Kalz Photography. Top Right & Bottom: Photo by Love Me Do Photography.

getting ready shots

the magic of ‘the dress’

Have the photographer capture the bride’s own “first look,” catching sight of herself in the mirror, and reaction shots of the bridal party. Be sure to get a solo portrait, a shot of the back of the dress, and closeups of any details like lace or embroidery that you really love.

Top Left: Photo byRachel Collet Photography. Bottom Left: Photo by Clean Plate Pictures.

while they’re fresh

Here is a list of things that should be photographed in their most pristine moment of glory, before the day has its way with them:

Your bouquet at its freshest
Freshly dressed and groomed bridal party
Decor of the ceremony venue, altar, and reception venue
Tablescapes and place settings
Cake and dessert table

first looks

Decide in advance whether you want private “first look” shots or will expect the photographer to capture reactions as you’re actually coming down the aisle—there are advantages and disadvantages to both.

the ceremony

Ask the photographer to step back far enough to get a panorama of the ceremony and the gathered crowd as it begins. It’s a keepsake view you won’t get from the altar.

the reception

Keep your schedule of events just loose enough for plenty of candid moments.

Make sure the photographer knows the basic “who’s who” in the fam.

Generational photos are great. Make time for these, especially if you’re lucky enough to have elderly friends or relatives there. These will become cherished family history.

During your first dance, focus on the joy of the embrace, not your dancing skills. The camera will capture that entranced look.

Make sure your photographer knows your schedule for key moments like cake cutting, bouquet toss, and toasts.

clean plate pictures

New Paltz, 917-406-5749, cleanplatepictures.com

We love weddings. We love the excitement in the air. We love raging dance floors and moonlit kisses. And we love documenting each and every moment for you and your family. Clean Plate Pictures makes the experience of being photographed easy and fun, capturing genuine emotions and recording events as they unfold. The day might go by in a blur, but Erica and the team will give you visual memories to treasure for years to come.

kalz photography

Catskills, kalzphotography.com

Looking for a wedding photographer who captures your special moments with fun-loving and candid romance? Look no further! I am passionate about capturing the love and excitement of your big day, ensuring you have beautiful, timeless photos to cherish for a lifetime. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help make your wedding photography dreams a reality.

love me do photography

Fleischmanns, 267-603-2086, lovemedophotography.com

Love Me Do Photography is a small collective of photographers with backgrounds in editorial and fine art photography. We aim to capture the love between our couples by capturing genuine moments in a creative way. With each wedding, we enter a partnership with our clients, one that is honest and pure, inviting them to trust us to document their day artfully and organically.

rachel collet photography

Hudson Valley, NYC, 845-399-3147, rachelcollet.com

Rachel’s photojournalistic approach captures the unique charm, tenderness, and excitement of every celebration in its rich, authentic form. Her creative eye illuminates the subtle moments and details that give our memories texture. Rachel listens carefully to her clients to make sure what they value is reflected and preserved in their gallery of images.

teresa horgan photography

Hudson Valley, 917-612-2963, teresahorgan.com

Striving to capture all that makes your day distinct and memorable, Teresa will photograph the emotion, the mood, and the spirit of your day. Teresa shoots in a distinct editorial style, with lots of fun candids sprinkled throughout. Every couple’s wedding is unique, and Teresa aims to capture each individual wedding in the most beautiful way possible.

unholy matrimonies

Hudson Valley, Ameliacwilliams.com @unholymatrimonies, Amelia@Ameliacwilliams.com

Unholy Matrimonies is an event photography company by local mixed media artist Amelia Williams. With a strong background in fashion production and celebrity styling, Amelia took her obsession with behind-the-scenes photography and applied it to events. Creating beautiful collages and montages of your day, Amelia captures the essence of your matrimonies artistically, organically, and in a way that is fully unique to you.