When Wedding Photos Go Wrong; How An Experienced Photographer Can Save The Day

When you hire a professional wedding photographer, you’re hiring more than someone with a good camera and a photographic eye. While of course being a great photographer is part of the job, there are components of the day you may not have considered that are also important. These components are the real difference between someone who is trained to be a wedding photographer and someone who has a nice camera. You may have heard the adage that “owning pots and pans doesn’t make you a chef”. Well, the same holds true for being a wedding photographer.

Here are just a few ways that an experienced photographer can make a big difference and save the day on your wedding day.

They Finalize the Wedding Day Schedule with You. 
A wedding day is a complicated matrix of moving parts. There’s making sure everyone is in the right place at the right time, navigating the rules of the venues, all of the high emotions that can be present, and the logistics of the timeline. By finalizing the wedding day schedule with you, you and your photographer can talk about when photos will be done and what you can expect. An inexperienced photographer who has never photographed a wedding may not understand how important a timeline is, and may assume that it will “all just come together” and critical photos may be missed.

They Work Well with Other Wedding Vendors. 
Your vendors should all be working together for the best outcome of your day. For example, a photographer may speak with the videographer to find out where they need to be to capture the wedding ceremony and they can plan together on how to not get in each other’s way. They will speak to the DJ to make sure they know when events are happening during the reception dance, so they don’t miss an event. They work for you behind the scenes to make sure everything goes smoothly and so everyone can get what they need to get the job done.

They Have Backup Equipment. 
That friend with a nice camera probably doesn’t have backup equipment. So, what happens when their only camera fails as the bride comes up the aisle? Professional photographers have duplicates of all of their equipment, costing them thousands of dollars. They are ready for any contingency and unexpected equipment failure. They take the job seriously, as they know it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event.

They Understand When to Take Control. 
A professional photographer will make sure to help get people where they need to be for photos, and they do it with a smile. Their experience means they understand that they need to guide the day to make sure the couple has all the photos that they want. An inexperienced photographer may not realize how crucial it is to be friendly but firm when corralling people for formal photos when they’d rather be enjoying the cocktail hour.

They have a Plan B for Poor Weather Conditions. 
If the weather is not right for taking outdoor photos, a professional will have researched the options available and can let you know what alternative locations you may be able to use. They don’t just cross their fingers and hope for good weather. And they have the experience and the gear to be able to take the shots in virtually any location.

ISPWP members are all experienced, vetted wedding photographers with at least 50 weddings as the sole photographer. When you hire an ISPWP Photographer, you’re getting a truly experienced wedding photographer. Find yours today!

(Photo by Lyndsey Goddard, London, England wedding photographer)