What makes a great wedding photo?
Your wedding day is a very special occasion that you'll want to remember for the rest of your life. While the memories of that special day will always be with you, having great wedding photos ensures that you'll be able to relive those moments and share them with your loved ones for years to come. But what exactly makes some wedding photos stand out from the rest? Well, let’s explore the essential elements of great wedding photography and share tips on how you can work with your photographer to capture those picture-perfect moments that you'll cherish forever.
Understanding the Essential Elements of Great Wedding Photography
Wedding photography is all about capturing the most important moments of one of the most significant days of your life. A great wedding photographer needs to have a combination of technical ability, creativity, and the ability to tell a story through their images. Here are three key elements that make great wedding photos stand out:
Emotion and Storytelling
Wedding photography is all about capturing the emotions and telling the story of the day. A great photographer needs to be able to anticipate and capture all the little moments that make a wedding day special. Whether it's the first look, the exchange of vows, or the first dance, a great wedding photo should capture the emotions and tell the story of the day.
A professional will have a range of images they capture. Check the photographers portfolio and see if you can find those epic shots every bride wants, but also check to see if there are shots of bride and grooms smiling, crying, interacting with friends and family.
Technical Ability
A great wedding photographer needs to have an excellent technical ability to capture the perfect shot. Knowing how to use the camera, lighting, and composition are all crucial to creating stunning images. A great photographer should also be able to work in different lighting conditions, and be able to adjust settings quickly to capture the perfect shot.
The key thing to look for when it comes to a photographers technical ability is to look at their portfolio. Are there any blurry photos, does the skin of the bride and groom look the right colour, do they get shots you like both in the day time and at night?
Ask to see a full wedding days worth of shots that they would deliver to the client. This will allow you to get an idea of their work, and not just the best of the best.
Creativity and Originality
A great photographer needs to have a creative eye and the ability to think outside the box to create unique and original images. They should be able to come up with new and exciting ideas, and be willing to try new techniques to create something truly special.
Check their portfolio, website, social media or wherever else they display their images. Are they just doing what we call “Gramdma shots”, posed, stiff and shots that look uncomfortable, or are they posting shots that are more candid? Are they doing shots that look like they’re right out of a bridal magazine, or something you’ve seen everyone else with?
If you want what others have that is amazing! Then go with the photographer you know will get those shots. If you want something a little bit more stylized then find someone who matches that vision. There is no wrong answer here. What you like is what you like. Don’t settle for anything else.
