I’m sure you’re reading this and thinking…
‘That’s an interesting title for an article on a wedding photographer’s website.’
However, stick with me and let me explain.
The truth is that the wedding photographer is not actually that important on the day of your wedding.
We’re important in the months leading up to your wedding, sure. We’re important in the days that follow your wedding, without a doubt.
But on the day?
We should almost be invisible.
As a wedding photographer who has shot over 1,000 weddings, I know a thing or two about shooting weddings and – more importantly – about working with people.
And I’ve come to understand that the less involved I am on the day, the more time my clients get to actually spend partying with their guests and the less time I take them away from those priceless moments the better the photos and memories of the day are.
The Importance Of Nailing The Brief For Your Wedding Photography
We are important in the months leading up to your wedding because this is when we get to know you as a couple and understand what it is that makes your relationship tick.
It’s during these initial meetings and consultations that we start to get an understanding of your style as a couple and what kind of photos you’ll love.
It’s also during this time that we start to build a relationship of trust with you. We get to know your likes, your dislikes and – most importantly – your wedding day vision.
It’s so important that we understand your vision for the day because it’s our job to make sure that comes across in the photos.
We do this by nailing the brief.
The better we understand what you’re looking for, the more we understand the schedule of the day and venue/s we are working at, and the easier it is for us to deliver on that and exceed your expectations.
It’s Your Big Day, Not The Photographer’s
The reality is that if you’re looking for a wedding photographer who’s going to whisk you away for literally hours of your day and take a series of staged and dramatic photos…I’m probably not your wedding photographer.
And that’s fine!
As someone whose worked at over 1,000 weddings, I can tell you from experience that the best moments of your wedding day and night are not going to be the time you spend with your photographer.
They’re going to be the moments you spend with your loved ones, whether you’re sharing in the banquet of amazing food or on the dancefloor cutting shapes to the songs you all grew up to.
On the day of your wedding, it’s not about us. It’s about you. You are the star of the show.
And if we’ve nailed the brief, then we won’t need to spend hours on end creating the perfect shot. We’ll be able to capture it in the moment.
Our job is to stand back, let the magic happen and be on hand to capture it when it does.
Curating Your Memories Into A Seamless Story
As soon as our night ends at your wedding, our most important task begins.
That is the curation of your memories into a seamless story that captures the feeling of your wedding day and night.
This is where our years of experience, creative vision, and editing skills come into play. This is where we take all of the photos we’ve taken on the day – sometimes up to 1,000 – and distil them down into a cohesive body of work that tells the story of your day.
It’s a process that takes time, focus and an eye for detail. But it’s something we’re passionate about and ensures that you receive a final product that you’ll treasure for years to come.
So there you have it!
The truth about why your wedding photographer is not important on the day of your wedding.
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer that doesn’t treat your big day like it’s their own, then I’d love to chat with you.
Simon James is a professional photographer with over 26 years of experience in wedding photography. To find out more about Simon and his work, contact him today at 0417 000 456.