The wedding photography industry is more than just a business; it’s about preserving memories and moments that would otherwise be forgotten. It’s about capturing the emotion of the day, remembering when your groom made you laugh so hard you doubled over, and reliving that elation on the dance floor as your favorite song began playing.

There are many different styles of wedding photography, from classic and traditional to photojournalistic and editorial. Photographers often mix and match these styles, combining posed and candid photos with each other to capture the full story of your big day.

Capturing the details of a wedding is important for the couple as well as for the planner and vendors. The couple will want to have a variety of images to share with friends and family, and to keep for themselves to remember the details of their day. It’s also a great way to help the couple and planner make decisions on final décor and styling choices.

During the planning process, we always recommend that couples create a shot list for the photographer to capture throughout the day. This helps the couple feel confident that all of their special moments will be captured, and it also allows the photographer to prepare for the day ahead of time. It’s also a good idea to include a buffer into the timeline in case of unexpected events that might delay things.

When preparing for the wedding day, it’s also a good idea to scout the venue and familiarize yourself with the space. This will give you an idea of the lighting in the room, any potential obstructions and the best angles to shoot from. It will also help you plan any specific poses that the couple may ask for.

The first step to pricing your wedding photography is understanding your expenses and what it takes to run a business. Then, you can set your price based on your costs and the value of your work. The key is to find a balance between what you are willing to do and what your clients are willing to pay for.

It’s also a good idea to set up a backup shooter with the couple, especially for group photos. Unless you know everyone in the entire crowd like your own family, it’s nearly impossible to make sure every single person is in the photo. Having an ally who knows Aunt Tilly from Aunt Jane and can wrangle the troops is worth their weight in gold!

It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan for what happens if the primary photographer cannot attend the wedding. Unforeseen circumstances can arise, from illness to death, and it’s a good idea for the couple to have a backup who they trust to shoot the day if necessary. It’s something to discuss early on and ensure it’s written down in the contract. This will avoid any surprises down the road.