DO … hire a pro.

Going pro isn’t just a sports term, ladies.

“Cut costs anywhere you can, but hire a professional photographer,” says Suzanna Higginson, of Photography by Suzanna. “And I’m not just saying that as a professional photographer. I had family take my reception pictures — and you can tell. I love my family, but I’m so sad about my pictures. I feel regret every time I share them with my kids and my loved ones. Anyone can push a button, but it’s a real artist that can see it before it’s taken.”

DO … your homework.

Best. Homework. Ever.

“Carefully research when hiring a wedding photographer. Everyone gets a lucky shot on occasion. But you want a photographer who will make every situation look amazing,” says Nichole V., of Nichole V. Photography. “Ask to see a photographer’s entire portfolio for multiple weddings, as this will give you a good idea as to what your photos will look like. It will also give you a sense of consistency.”

DO … watch the clock.

You can’t take pics of something that doesn’t happen.

“If you don’t have a wedding planner or coordinator, designate someone at your wedding to be in charge of keeping track of time,” says Meredith Carlson, of Meredith Carlson Photography. “That way you will dance, eat, cut the cake and make your exit in the time frame you had planned. You don’t want to risk skipping anything you wanted to do.

DO … gab away.

Here’s another excuse to talk about your wedding —and what bride doesn’t love that?

“Communicate! Tell your photographer what style and look you want,” says Amy Hixson, of Dan Hixson Photography. “Every couple is unique!  Some couples want a really fun and candid-style engagement shoot, and then choose a more elegant or breathtakingly dramatic bridal session.  Your wedding day will most likely have all those elements combined. So choose a photographer who can deliver what you want.”

DO … get your trust on.

To thine own photographer be true!

“Once you’ve chosen your photographer, trust them. They’ll make sure your hair is in place and you are in the most flattering pose,” says McKenzie Deakins, of Photography by McKenzie. “Let your photographer take control so you can enjoy the moment.”

DO … grab your groom.

Bridals are going the way of the groomals — and it’s the right move. Capturing couples to perfection — without the hullabaloo (yes, we just said hullabaloo) of the jam-packed wedding day — is always a good idea.

DON’T … hire only by price.

“If the photographer you LOVE is just a bit more money than you can afford, work a few extra hours to pay for it,” says Mikki Platt, of Captured by Mikki. “You will treasure those pictures rather than regretting them. Hire a photographer for their style — don’t hire them to become what you want them to be.”

DON’T … bring a bridal entourage.

Does your Aunt Norma’s second cousin Sheila want to come to your bridal photo shoot? That would be a “thanks but no thanks.”

“Too many opinions get in the way and make the bride stressed rather than comfortable,” says Ashlee Clark, of Ashlee Elizabeth Photography. “One close friend or family member can be helpful.”

DON’T … stress the weather.

Storms be darned!

“I have a lot of brides who get worried about how the pictures will turn out on the big day when it’s going to be stormy,” says Kristin Hakes, of Kristin Michelle Photography. “I just encourage them to have fun and enjoy the crazy weather. Storms make for amazing backgrounds, and any professional photographer can handle the lighting of a stormy day with ease. Just relax and enjoy your big day — weather and all.”

DON’T… trend yourself silly.

Oh, trends. We love you, we love you not.

“Gauge your visual tastes and mix that with your bias toward trends,” says Bryant Livingston, of Bryant Livingston Photography. “Include key images in your album that showcase your own personal style and tell your story. Make sure they are composed well and have key elements in them. It’s important to enjoy looking at your album five, 10, 20 years down the line. You don’t want your wedding album to turn into the 1980s fluorescent colored, puffy-sleeved bridesmaid dress. It looked great that year, but it’s terrible now.”

DON’T … be a poser.

Many brides go into their bridals thinking, “Look pensive!” But the best pep talk you can give yourself? “Look comfortable!”

“I like to coach my bride and groom on how to be comfortable together in front of the camera,” says Kristen Ising, of Studio Lush. “I tell them to live and feel the emotions they are having. Photography should be art that reflects those real emotions.”

DON’T … forget to have a ball.

This is your wedding, remember? The happiest time of your life?

Prove it to the camera.

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Wedding photography is the frosting to your cake … the flower to your stem … the diamond to your ring. Get the picture? You can’t have a wedding without photography — so why not make it stellar? Below, local photographers give the inside scoop on making magic with the lens.

1. GO PRO
“Our biggest piece of advice is to choose an experienced, professional WEDDING photographer. Don’t put the responsibility of capturing those priceless moments in the hands of a well-meaning friend or relative (even if that’s their wedding gift to you!),” says Amy Hixson of Dan Hixson Photography. “We have had many couples call us in frustration and tears AFTER they had a ‘friend’ shoot their wedding pictures, and they wondered if we could do anything to fix them. This is so sad for us to hear, because they can’t really get that day back — and it’s completely preventable if you hire the right person to begin with.”

Ryan Pearson, of Fotogenix, agrees.

“Hire a professional photographer and make sure you love his or her work and style,” he says. “Photography is the only part of your wedding that lasts forever.”

2. ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS
Bryant Livingston recommends asking your photographer “what if” questions before you book:
1. Do you carry a back-up camera and lighting equipment? This may sound silly, but many aspiring photographers have not accomplished this yet.
2. As a potential client, are the images you are seeing actually from the photographer you are booking? (Many studios contract with more than one photographer. Get assurances you won’t get a stranger or “stand in” if another bride comes in and has a bigger photography budget and your same wedding day.)
3. What is your back-up plan in case of emergency?
4. What is included in the package, or do I buy a la carte? Just make sure whomever you use, they will be flexible enough to accommodate your needs and requests.

3. GET THE WHOLE PACKAGE
“A lot of brides are so focused on getting their digital images on a disk they pay little attention to what else a photographer might have to offer,” says Jessie Evans of Jessie Alexis Photography. “Often, when a bride receives nothing but her photos on a CD, they don’t make it past Facebook or personal blogs. Make sure your photographer is also offering something tangible, like an album or prints you can display in your home.”

Glen Ricks, of Glen Ricks Photography, concurs.

“The trend right now seems to be having the photographs taken and a CD or DVD made,” he says. “Remember, hard copies (like a finished wedding album — not proofs) will always withstand the test of time. How many of your parents still listen to 8-track tapes? That technology is gone now — and CDs and DVDs will be, too, in a few years”

4. BE PREPARED
“Have a personal consultation (either in person or over the phone) with your photographer before you book,” Amy says. “Take the time to talk about your preferred photography style for each session shoot. Ask questions about outfit choices and makeup tips; discuss locations for shoots that fit your personal style; go over the timing of the wedding day and map out every aspect of the wedding photography together! It helps to identify any potential scheduling snafus (like not having enough time between the wedding and reception to get all the desired pictures) and make sure everyone is on the same page. Plus, it’s fun to meet each other and establish a comfortable working relationship before we start to capture those priceless moments together!”

5. CONTINUITY OR BUST
“Do an engagement shoot with the photographer you will be using on your wedding day,” says Terra Cooper of Magnifique Photography. “This allows the photographer to get used to you as a couple and learn how to photograph you best and capture your personality. Plus, these are the pictures you are sending out to all your family and friends — even some that will not be at the wedding — so they might be the only pictures they see of you and your fiance!”

6. LOVE THEM!
“Find someone you love … both for their style as well as their personality,” says Jon Woodbury, of Jon Woodbury Photography. “You’ll end up spending more time with your photographer on your wedding day than you will with any of your wedding party or guests, so you want to be sure you’ll have a good time together. Remember … if you wouldn’t invite them to your wedding, why would you pay them to be there?”

7. TRUST THEM!
“Once you’ve chosen your photographer, trust them. They’ll make sure your hair is in place and you are in the most flattering pose,” says McKenzie Deakins, of Photography by McKenzie. “So, don’t stress the little things on your wedding day. Let your photographer take control so you can enjoy the moment.”

8. GO FOR GROOMALS
“Try to move photos of yourself and your groom off of your actual wedding day,” says Nichole V. of Nichole V. Photography. “Those beautiful, creative images of the bride and groom together are always the first images to get cut out of a busy wedding day. It really lessens your stress on the wedding day if you know you already have those shots. Also, if the weather is uncooperative, you know you already have those important images.”

9. POSERS BE GONE
“Don’t be worried about posing and whether you look all right — your photographer will tell you if you don’t,” says Ashlee Clark of Ashlee Elizabeth Photography. “Especially when it comes to pictures of you and your fiance, just be natural.”

Kristen Ising, of Studio Lush, agrees.

“I like to coach my bride and groom on how to be comfortable together in front of the camera,” she says. “I tell them to live and feel the emotions they are having. Photography should be art that reflects those real emotions.”

10. DANCE THE TALKING AWAY
“Don’t talk through your whole first couple’s dance together,” says Annalisa Rosenvall, of Annalisa Photography. “A little talking is fine because all photographers like spontaneous smiles, but also stare into each other’s eyes and smile through the song so the photographer can make sure they get some romantic shots.”

11. RELAX
“Have fun, laugh, smile and enjoy your special day,” says Suzanna Higginson, of Tender Treasures Photography. “When you’re having fun, it shows.”

12. BALANCE THE TRENDS
“Gauge your visual tastes and mix that with your bias toward trends,” Bryant says. “Include key images in your album that showcase your own personal style and tell your story. Make sure they are composed well and have key elements in them. Most important here is to enjoy looking at your album five, 10, 20 years down the line. You don’t want your wedding album to turn into the 1980s fluorescent colored, puffy sleeved bridesmaid dress. It looked great that year, but it’s terrible now.”

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HERE COMES THE BRIDAL
Bridal portraits have taken quite the journey over the years. From formal in-studio shots to casual poses across town, local brides have redefined tradition.
“The options are endless,” says Ashlee Clark of Ashlee Elizabeth Photography. “Bridals are a great opportunity to let your personality shine through.”
With endless options and shining potential, Ashlee suggests seven tips for bridal success.

Location
“The type of location will determine the type of photos we’ll take, whether it’s gorgeous landscaping or an urban backdrop,” Ashlee says. “Location is the first and most important thing I discuss with my brides. Everything else comes after.”
Come prepared “A lot of times you get caught up in things during the shoot and forget about specific poses or ideas. So it can be helpful to write them down beforehand. The More the Merrier “I usually have the bride bring someone — a mom or a friend. It makes everyone feel more comfortable.”
Groomal Time “Most of my brides are bringing the groom with them,” Ashlee says. “The wedding day is usually jam-packed, and the groomal helps us get the shots we need in an un-rushed environment.”
Bring a bouquet “Don’t forget to bring a bouquet,” she says. “Not only are flowers always a beautiful addition, it gives the bride something to do with her hands.”
Bring a Towel “It’s helpful for not getting your dress dirty during the shoot.”
Don’t be nervous “Try not to be shy. You want your personality to shine through as much as possible, so come prepared to be yourself and have fun,” Ashlee says.

PORTRAIT OF A WEDDING
After you’ve posed for engagements and bridals, it’s time to show them off. The pictures are a great way to decorate your reception — and help guests get to know the happy couple.
“There are lots of ways to display your pictures,” says Meredith Carlson of Meredith Carlson Photography. “There’s the classic, big easel framed shots, which are always beautiful, as well as bridal albums for guests to look through. Don’t be afraid to be creative.”
But most importantly, be sure to communicate with your photographer.
“I sit down with my brides when they sign the contract and we go over what they might want displayed at the reception,” Meredith says. “It takes time, especially with bridals, to get pictures back from the printer, so you want to be sure and plan ahead.”
Meredith suggests taking your bridals a month before the wedding — three weeks at the latest — to ensure smooth timing.

MAKE YOUR DAY
This is it. The big day. The wedding day.
It’s the day you’ll remember for the rest of your life — and your pictures will be the very thing jogging your memory.
“The wedding day is obviously so important,” says Angie Andrews of Sweet Memory Garden. “As the photographer, I want to know everything I can to make it the perfect day.”
And perfection requires communication. Angie suggests getting candid with your photographer about the following:

Style “What are you looking for?” Angie says. “Do you want traditional shots or candid? What’s most important to you? If I know your style, I know how to get the shots you want.”
Timing “Timing is huge,” she says. “In an ideal world, I’d have two hours between the ceremony and the reception. That gives us enough time to do family pictures and then shots of the bride and groom. The last thing you want to do is rush.”
Relationships “It’s helpful to know the family dynamics,” Angie says. “If there are any conflicts between family members or parents, it’s always good to know.”
Who’s Who “If there are certain family members or guests you want me to highlight — tell me.”
Weather “Look ahead at the weather forecast — especially with an outdoor reception,” Angie says. “We’ll want to know if we need to make backup plans. The more prepared we can be together, the better.”

IN LIVING MEMORY
The glasses have been clinked, the rose petals have been thrown, and the last photo has been snapped.
Now it’s time to immortalize the moments.
Wedding albums are the perfect end to the perfect day, and there are a variety of options to choose from.
Talk with your photographer about what types of albums are offered when you go in for your consultation. Find out what comes with your package and ask to see samples of past albums. It’ll give you a great idea of the pages you’ll be cooing over for years to come.

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