Good Morning Brides!
Melanie and I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Ryan Ricketts of Ryan Ricketts Photography and we were so impressed with his talents, knowledge and passion for wedding photography that we asked him for some tips on how Brides can make the most of their Wedding Photography Investment. Below are his suggestions for getting the best wedding pictures possible.
It’s no revelation that planning for your wedding can be a daunting affair. Hours upon hours pile up to make sure every last detail is taken care of and no loose ends are left. Family members on both sides are pulled in all directions. Blood, sweat and makeup are all shed in the name of your wedding day. With all of the distractions going on, how do you make sure you get fabulous and timeless photos of one of the most special days (if not the most special day of your life)?
1. Makeup artist/stylist – Consider working with a makeup artist or stylist to make you look your best on your wedding day. That isn’t to say that your best friend or your aunt can’t do a great job, but it is best left to someone who is on the forefront of styles and trends to deal with your look. Proper makeup will work to cover up any potential wrinkles you may fret over (don’t worry we all have them!) and allow you to feel more secure and radiant on your big day. Also it’s amazing how well professionally done makeup photographs!
2. Wedding consultant – Enlist the help of a professional wedding planner such as Your Perfect Bridesmaid (www.yourperfectbridesmaid.com ) to take on the planning process and day-of coordinating for your wedding. They can help with design elements and coordinating with the necessary vendors. Leave it to professionals to sort out proper vendors for your needs. Not only will wedding coordinators act as a preventive headache medication, but you will feel less stressed at your wedding allowing for more carefree photos.
3. Pre-wedding consultation – A few months before the wedding, sit down with your photographer and talk to him. Get to know the company and discuss some of the “must-have” shots for your wedding. Having an open discussion with your photographer before any pictures are even taken will ensure that you and your photographer are both in agreement on the plan for the wedding day and that there are no surprises come the big day. This is the first step in building a great relationship with your photographer. Wedding photography is a true collaboration between bride, groom and photographer and all the parts must fit for the shots to be magical!
4. Engagement session – Plan an hour or more for a portrait engagement session with your photographer a few weeks or months before your wedding. Meeting with your photographer will give you an idea of how the three of you interact and will make you feel more comfortable in front of the camera. Trust is a big factor in choosing a photographer, and after a fun and exciting afternoon with your photographer, you will rest-assured he will provide great photos later at your wedding.
5. Photo checklist- Create a list of must-have photographs from your wedding day. Typical lists include shots before the ceremony (dress, getting ready), shots at the ceremony (guests entering, parents being seated, the kiss, rings), posed photos before reception or before ceremony (bride with bridesmaids, bride with parents), etc. Work with your photographer to create a list that you will be happy with. There are no right or wrong answers, just think about what shots would be most important to you!
6. 30 Minutes – Plan for at least 30 minutes for you and your groom to be photographed after the ceremony (and before the reception). Depending on the time of year, location, etc., it’s best to plan these shots for about an hour or so before sunset – so you can be flexible here on the timing, but make sure you assign at least a 30 minute period to knock out some beautiful portraits together!
7. Family member assistant – Assign a trusted family member who knows most of the attendees at your wedding to be the “go-to” person for the photographer. This designated family member will be especially crucial when you are doing the posed photos to make sure all family members are included in the requisite shots. They can help to point our, corral, and direct leaving you free to enjoy your day. Don’t take on any unneeded responsibility!
8. Step aside – A simple one, but important – before the wedding day or on the wedding day, ask your (or have your wedding coordinator ask) the wedding officiant to step aside briefly during the first kiss during the ceremony so the photographer can take a shot of the two of you. Having just the two of you (without the random officiant) in the photo will make it that much more special.
9. Breathe – Yes, you must breathe, believe it or not. But all joking aside, nothing comes across more in wedding photos than a bride who is stressed or otherwise preoccupied. So take a few seconds and take some deep breaths and relax. Give yourself to the moment.
10. Have fun! – This is it! This is the day you’ve been waiting for. Relax, have some fun and let your personality shine through in the photographs. These are photos you will cherish for your lifetime so make sure YOU are coming through in the photos. If you don’t care for a certain pose, just let your photographer know and feel free to be spontaneous!
Of course there are many more things you can do to ensure you get beautiful wedding day photographs, but these are the most essential and easily attainable. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me directly.
Cheers,
Ryan
Ryan Ricketts Photography
(360) 696-4702
contact@ryanricketts.com
www.ryanricketts.com
We really thank Ryan for all of his wonderful tips. Ladies, if you are still in the market for a wedding photographer I encourage you to take a look at Ryan's portfolio and schedule a meeting asap!
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