Phoenix Wedding Photographer Advice

You want a photographer you can trust ... wholeheartedly. I believe how we do one thing, translates into how we do most things. What do you value most in your life? Does this show up in the details of your daily? Your wedding day is a sliver in time documenting your values. Let's make sure we capture what makes your heart race, whether it's family & friends, adventure & experiences, nature & connection. This is how you choose your wedding day experience, authentic to your personality!

Wedding photography is such a HUGE part of your wedding. Make sure when you book your wedding photographer, you absolutely LOVE them! You're going to be spending more time with them than you future spouse. Once you find your photographer, we always suggest sharing with them any special events that are going to be happening during the wedding day. This way they know what's going on and can put together a thorough timeline that will allow them to capture it all. Timelines are so important! Once you get your timeline make sure to share it with all your vendors (if your photographer/planner hasn't done so already) so everyone is on the same page, and this will help keep you on schedule so nothing gets missed! 🙂

I would recommend hiring a professional photographer for all of your events leading up to your wedding. Not someone that just has a "nice camera". For example I include engagement photos with all of my wedding collections, this for me allows me to get to know the couple before the big day. We have a fun session, I get to interact and see how they photograph, what they are like, personalities, how they interact and learn more about them as a couple this helps to set the story and the tone for the actual wedding day which also comes in to play with their amazing wedding album in the end. You could also hire someone to document the bridal shower, the bachelorette party, the bachelor party... so that you know those memories will be given to you and will be in great quality as well!

In terms of advice for couples to make sure they get the best capture on their wedding day, is first, to make sure that that the bride and groom have FULL trust in their photographer and that both parties mutually want to work together. If one side does not trust their photographer or vice versa, it will absolutely show in the photographs. Second tip for couples who are uncomfortable posing, is to create movement whether its kissing a hand or dancing. This will create natural and candid images.

Don't wait until the last minute to book your photographer. Be aware of the busy seasons so if you are trying to book during then, your photographer options will be limited the later you wait. Here in Phoenix, the middle of October is always the most popular time and I turn more people away then due to advanced booking than any other month of the year. Also, do some research, talk to your photographer about what you are expecting or would like. For engagement shoots, avoid sleeveless tops and super short dresses. When posing for engagement photos and throughout the wedding, try not to be overly aware of the camera, just be natural and enjoy the occasion. Genuine emotions photograph much better than poses, let the photographer do the work and give direction when needed.

In order to best tell the story of their love, a couple should invest in wedding photographers who offer an exceptional photographic experience. Of course, a couple will want to hire photographers that connect with their style, but it's the photographers' ability to connect with the couple (so that the couple is able to relive the emotions of their love from these precious moments in their lives) that is most important. When a couple pages through their wedding album or gazes upon wall art from their wedding, they will want the full story of their love captured, as well as the best emotions from what will most certainly be the greatest day of their lives (so far)!

Don’t skip an engagement session. These photos are completely different than your wedding photos and really reflect who you are as a couple. You will appreciate having these photos as your years together as a couple pass, they are beautiful to look back on. The engagement session is also an excellent opportunity to break the ice with the photographer. You get to see how you work together and it really just makes everyone super comfortable on the wedding day.