today we are going to talk about preparation!!! being prepared for your photographer is one of the BEST things you can do for them 🙂 trust me…you’ll be on their “favorites” list!

i love when my clients are prepared. for portrait sessions, this can be as simple as planning their outfits ahead of time with me – color schemes, props, mom’s wardrobe compared to dad’s, etc. it shows that they are just as invested in our time together as i am! it is the biggest compliment when your client takes you seriously. it’s more than just pictures…it is a lasting memory, a permanent record of you to hand down to generations! that should count for something 😉

so let’s talk about a few ways you can be prepared on your wedding day for your photographer!

1} bring some details out!

as a photographer, i focus on details. i love them. i have a special lens for them! for your detail shots, bring some leftover ribbon from decorating or from florals, have some flower petals set aside, have your bouquet ready and in the room…all of these things will help give your detail shots a little ‘uumph’ 🙂

2} have a plan

i send all of my brides a timeline of their day. this lets them know how much time i need for particular things on their day. chances are, they’ve not done this before and they have no idea how a wedding timeline is really supposed to work! this is especially important if they have not hired a wedding planner. so please, have a plan!!!

3} clean, iron, de-clutter

the first thing to ruin a photograph of a tender moment between the bride and her mother while she is helping her into her wedding gown, is a chick fil a cup in the background. or worse…a pile of clothes with an undergarment right on top! so please…de clutter the room you will be getting ready in. clean your rings…this one is simple. i will be using a lens that pulls out every detail. so your ring needs to be super clean and sparkly! also…if you’re going to be wearing a mens button down or a robe…iron it. sounds silly, but it will help it look more polished 🙂 trust me!

4} relax!

i am here to capture your day as it unfolds…don’t get too wrapped up in the details and don’t micro manage anything. you should be able to sit back and relax. you hired a professional because you like their work…so please, trust the professionals to take care of it all!

5} no pinterest look ups

this one is tough, because i ask each bride to create a ‘mood board’ and pin 10-15 portraits they love for their wedding day. does this mean we will recreate them specifically? no. but this gives me an idea of what they like and why the hired me! with that being said, the quickest way to zap my creativity out of your wedding day is to ask me to keep looking at someone else’s work and recreate it for you. i love pinterest, i do…but please, let me capture your unique day the way that i see it 🙂