How do I get great wedding photos?

This is obviously one of the most important aspects of your wedding. Successful photos depend above all on the photographer, but not only. I'd like to share with you what you need to do to have beautiful wedding photos. Or at least give yourself every chance. With several hundred weddings under my belt, I'd like to share my experience with you. So,how do you go about getting great photos?

Before the big day  

1 - First and foremost, you need to choose the right professional photographer.

• You check out his website, portfolio and about him. It makes you want to contact him for a first exchange. You take the opportunity to check that his offers match your budget, if one has been defined.
• You meet in person to get to know each other a little better and, above all, to share your expectations and desires.
• The feeling is right, so you quickly commit to the photographer. 
• The 3 of you sign a clear contract that sets out everything, so there's no room for uncertainty.

2 - Carry out an engagement session (optional but highly recommended)

• This is your first photo experience with your wedding photographer in civilian clothes and in a location that suits you.
• During this session, you and your other half enjoy a tender, romantic and funny photo walk. A moment of intimacy often rare in the ruch of wedding planning.
• This is your chance to see how your wedding photographer works in real life, his equipment and his personality during the shoot. 
• The final details of the wedding day are discussed with him, and he gives you any advice you need. 
• At last you have photos of yourself taken by your official photographer, and that's a great reassurance. From now on, you'll be much more relaxed in his presence, since you already know what the result can be. The couple's session on the big day will also be much simpler, as you'll already have had recent experience of it.

3 - A final briefing with the photographer a few days before the wedding

• Here you can discuss the schedule if there have been any changes.
• The couple's session and its logistics are often also defined at this point, as the weather for the big day is already known. 
• Above all, you can confirm the start time and all the info with the photographer. 

4 - Doing your homework as a bride and groom for pre-wedding group photos 

• If you have more than 50 guests, the photographer will certainly have advised you to make a group list (I always do). It saves precious time and gives you peace of mind on the big day.
• You don't need to be too specific for these lists: 1/ Parents 2/ Entire family 3/ Witnesses 4/Buddies etc.

How do I get the best photos on the big day? 

5 - Preparations -Light and space first

• Whether preparations take place in a salon, at home, in a hotel or elsewhere, light and space are essential. They ensure the quality of your photos and your comfort. The priority remains the brightness of the room and your orientation. This will enable the make-up artist to do her job properly. At this stage, I strongly recommend that you choose the make-up artist over the photographer if you can't reach a consensus. Having the right make-up is the most important thing, as the photographer will be able to adapt. Natural light is obviously preferable, a large window being ideal.
• Just as important as light, the photographer needs space around you. This is what will enable him to vary his shots and framing. And you, too, will appreciate being able to breathe in an airy space during this important moment. Know that everything in the room is likely to appear in the photos, and that it's much more pleasant to get ready in a tidy room.

6 - Preparations - The wedding rings, the dress, the shoes and the bouquet are to be assembled.

• Remember to gather these elements in one place, ideally next to the bride-to-be. The preparations are the only time during the day when the photographer can take detailed photos of them. Dress, wedding ring, bouquet - it's always a very creative moment for the photographer, and only the timing of the preparations allows it. 

7 - Preparations - Your loved ones are ideally ready before you are.

• Those who will be with you will certainly also be in the reportage photos.That's why it's best to have themdressed when you're getting ready for the wedding. Dressed parents, witnesses and bridesmaids look much better in the photos than robes and pyjamas when the bride puts on her dress, shoes and jewelry. 

8 - If you're getting ready in the morning and having the ceremony in the afternoon, don't forget to pack a snack!

• Yes, it's very important to stay hydrated and eat properly on the big day, because if you don't, you run the risk of getting hungry in the middle of a couple or group session, and that shows in the photos.

9 - The first look must be prepared in advance with the photographer, as lighting is essential.

• This is the first moment of the day when you and your other half will discover each other in dress and suit. So it's important to prepare for it as much as possible, and to inform the photographer of your wishes. Will you be doing your first look at home? with your nearest and dearest? in a park? or perhaps simply in front of the town hall? inside the church or wedding hall to be more traditional? in short, the choice is yours.
• As a photojournalist, I prefer to do the first look as naturally as possible, depending on the timing and the location. If you're getting ready on a beautiful estate, for example, it's a good idea to think about doing the first look on the same estate at the end of the preparations.
• If you'd like to uncover yourself before the outdoor ceremony, avoid direct sunlight. Choose shady spots to avoid harsh, unflattering light (unsightly shadows on the face, squinted eyes). It's a moment for two, as a couple, and that's why the soft, diffused light of a shady area is much more suitable for photography. 

10 - The Ceremony, be authentic 

• Whether it's a civil, secular or religious ceremony, it's often best to let the guests in first. 
• For the church or secular ceremony, you can sometimes embellish the edges of the rows with a pretty decoration. For example, use tulle to tie the pews (or chairs) together. This creates a decorative boundary that guests won't cross. Above all, it guarantees a totally uncluttered aisle.
• In general, but especially during ceremonies, stay focused on the moment, the real thing, not on the photographer. For example, when exchanging wedding rings, it's better to look your other half in the eye when you put the ring on her finger. It's much better than looking at the photographer. Every moment should be lived to the full.
• For the ceremony exit, traditionally at a town hall the guests leave first and the bride and groom afterwards. The same goes for church ceremonies, but more and more often the bride and groom exit first. Regardless of the type of ceremony, it's always a good idea to embellish this exit with a few confetti, bubbles and other festive accessories...

11 - Group photos

• If a group photo session has been agreed, don't forget to make group lists and entrust them to someone close to you. He or she will call group B while the photographer takes the photo of group A. This helps to optimize the time, which should not exceed 25/30 minutes, otherwise it could become very long for you and your guests. I recommend doing this session before the cocktail party, outside the town hall for example, or in a park or on the estate.
• The important thing is to make the most of every moment. All too often, brides and grooms get trapped into having an impromptu group photo session (without a list) that lasts 1 hour or more during the cocktail hour. The cocktail party then comes to an end without them having had time to enjoy either the petits fours or their guests. 

12 - The bouquet toss 

• There are several options for the bouquet toss: at the beginning of the cocktail party, in the middle or at the end, and sometimes during the evening. The most important piece of advice I can give is to make sure your photographer is actually there, and not on the other side of the grounds. This means having discussed it with him or her before the shoot. You don't want to get caught up in the rush of guests. This moment is too precious. Ideally, it's even the photographer who does the counting. 

13 - The cocktail

• You've chosen a professional photographer with experience and know-how, so now's the time to let him or her work for you in total immersion with your guests. Drink, eat, chat with your friends and family. Don't worry about the photographer, he'll normally be everywhere and nowhere at the same time, but always available if needed.

14 - The couple session 

• You and your photographer agree in advance on a precise schedule for this session. It often takes place in the afternoon, if the schedule allows. Otherwise, it can take place on or around the estate, or on the way to the wedding. In all cases, I systematically suggest that brides slip away before entering the wedding hall. 15/20 minutes on the estate is often enough for a beautiful couple's session. You can also take advantage of the fact that your guests are on their way into the room. And getting a hundred people into the room to consult the seating plan takes at least 15 minutes. So it's the ideal time to slip away. It's a unique moment in your day, and the ideal way to recharge your batteries before the evening.

15 - The evening

• Just like at the cocktail party, the photographer will be everywhere and nowhere, but always available. Fire it up! Sparkle!