Ok, this guide is written from my perspective as a documentary wedding photographer but non the less, they are great tips.

Hire a photographer you klick with

This is probably the most important rule to get pictures that you are going to love. Make sure that you hire a photographer/videographer that you like, not just the pictures, but also the personality. Make sure you meet the photographer, either in real life or at least in a on-line meeting so you can see if the chemistry is there.
The photographer will be next to you your whole wedding day, so make sure you feel relaxed and trust the photographer. Read here to see if we might match.

Communication

The more I know about you, your dreams, plans, visions and happenings during the day, the better. I’m your friend, your BFF, and I’m going to create photos that you will love and cherish forever. So please don’t keep me in the dark so I can be at the right place at the right time!

Light, Light and more Light

Photography actually means paint with light. During a day like this great light is very important. But what counts as good light? Well, it’s natural and soft. You can’t always get that, but you can aim for it- where its possible.

Some things to consider during the planning of your wedding: how does the light look like at the place you will be getting ready, get married, eat your dinner and then have the party? At the time you will actually be there? You can’t control the weather, but you can control if you are going to sit in a dark basement or a room with big windows and natural light.

If you book a venue with bad lighting – make sure you light it with lots of light, especially on the tables. It can be candles, or /and string lights. Here is some great string light ideas.

What photos are most important?

Think about what is the most important photos for you and your partner from this day. Is it the details of the venue, the moments with your family and friends, maybe there is some older family member that won’t be with us much longer? About one month prior to your wedding, I will send out a questioner with questions about the schedule, addresses, phone numbers and important persons. Regardless if you choose to have me as your photographer, or somebody else, make sure that you communicate this.

If you booked a professional photographer, they know about detail shots and to capture the mood. But if there are some special things that are more important – make sure the photographer knows about this so they can put some extra focus on that. It’s always better to know too much than too little.

Portraits

When it comes to portraits it is different for each couple. Are you getting married in the city, on a mountain top or in a barn on the countryside? Do you want creative, traditional or maybe some fun and totally different photos with the drone?
Usually, I shoot portraits between 15 minutes and 2 hours depending on the couple, their wishes and the conditions of the place and day. Some couples want to hike up a mountain top and take portraits the day before or after, some couples don’t want to take any arranged portraits at all. But I do encourage you to think about it and have at least one photo of you two for your grandmothers to hang on the wall.

Groups

My experience is that groupshots should be taken right after the ceremony (after the hugging and hurray’s), before everybody is starting to move to the mingle and dinner. I always ask my couples to create a written list and hand it to me or the toastmaster, then it’s easy to just call out the right people. If there is a lot of guests ask the Toastmaster to help.

Confetti (bombs) and rose petals

I love all forms of confetti, soap bubbles and colorful rose petals that the guests throw on the couple. It is fun, looks amazing in the photos and everybody will talk about it afterwards.

Talk to me and I might be able to arrange some colorful ecofriendly confetti (that you can’t get in Sweden)!

Do what feels natural and right

Don’t do anything just because you read in a magazine or somebody else did it at their wedding.

The photographers guide how to get the best wedding photos