Wedding photographers witness everything from intimate moments to crazy receptions. It’s no secret that they have vast knowledge of the dos and don’ts of weddings. Here are five wedding photographer lessons from Hallie Sigwing Photography:
1. PENCIL IN SOME ALONE TIME WITH INTENTION.
I’ve always thought it was funny that many couples don’t have a single moment alone on their wedding day aside from when they are with me. After all, your wedding isn’t just about throwing a raging party – it’s about your relationship. For that reason, it’s my responsibility as your photographer to use that time not only to create beautiful images of you, but to hold space for you to truly be alone. I hardly talk to my couples during portraits. Instead give them space to be themselves, and to spend a few moments soaking in the almighty wave of love that is being thrown at them from every direction. Make sure you schedule a few moments alone into your day, with or without your photographer. It will help you stay grounded and lock your memory of the day into place amidst the whirlwind of events.
During their reception, Lauren and Seth ditched the party for 20 minutes and snuck into the apartment building downtown where they met. They were neighbors – directly across the hall from one another. Their first kiss was literally shared in the hallway between both of their doors. We did their wedding portraits in the same hallway where they fell in love. It wasn’t a picturesque skyline view during golden hour. It was a documentation of where their love story began.
2. THIS IS THE ONLY DAY THAT ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WILL BE UNDER ONE ROOF.
Imagine all of your favorite people – the ones who raised you, cheered you on, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with you during the most pivotal points of your life. These are the people who made you who you are. They’re the ones who walked beside you all the way to love’s front door. Now, imagine those same people for your partner. Your wedding is the only day that all of those lives will be interwoven in 3D. There is no other day in your life that this unique recipe of friends and family will share the same dance floor. In what other situation would your uncle share a meal with your partner’s college roommate? Not many. Make sure you take a moment to step back and soak in the once-in-a-lifetime mosaic of these faces.
3. STICK TOGETHER DURING THE RECEPTION.
Hold on to your spouse for dear life during the reception. It’s a wild ride! There will be a sea of people excited to talk to you, congratulate you, and talk your ear off. The best advice that I was once given from a wise mentor of mine is to stay hip-to-hip during the reception. If not, you might end up with two entirely different memories of the night. Staying together will help you stay present with one another and keep your wedding as a shared experience rather than two stories that occasional intersect.
4. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE POSED ALL DAY LONG.
You might think that you need a ton of posing because you are awkward and don’t know what to do with your hands (I have heard it a million times!) but I promise that you don’t. I think the proof is in the pudding of my portfolio. You don’t need someone to tell you what to do in order to be worthy of photographing. My portraits are always better when I focus less on posing and more on how I can make the couple feel so comfortable around me, they forget that I’m there. I spend a lot of time observing how you and your partner naturally interact with one another so I can encourage that, rather than change your interactions to be more “photogenic.” If you hire a skilled photographer, their knowledge of lighting and angles shouldn’t require complicated poses that don’t feel true to who you are. My goal is to create imagery that reflects the truth of your relationship, not my version of it.
5. YOUR WEDDING PHOTOS WILL OUTLIVE YOU.
In a world of Instagram and Pinterest, it can be easy to lose track of what wedding photos are really about. They’re a historical representation of you are. If they’re done right, they’ll carry your spirit forward and tell your love story for years beyond your lifetime. If you’ve ever opened up your grandparents’ wedding album, you know what I mean. Not to be dramatic, but one day these photos will be displayed at your funeral. Choosing your photographer is no easy decision. When you’re considering who will photograph your wedding, try to look beyond right now – what do you want to remember in 50 years? Your wedding photos are your memories, so make sure that you choose someone who will hold that precious truth with grace and intention.
HALLIE SIGWING
Hallie Sigwing Photography:
Kansas City Wedding Photographer Hallie Sigwing celebrates people in love all around planet earth through tender images and a little humor.
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