Choosing locations for your formal wedding photos
Some venues have a small number of very obvious locations you can chose for your formal wedding photos. At other venues, there are enough to choose from that we could fill an entire album by taking just one photo in each location.
No matter which one, in this blog I will explain why I never usually chose more than two locations for your wedding photos, and how to decide on them.
The time of day and year
Even if your venue has twenty fabulous wedding photo backdrops they don’t look their best all the time.
Some backdrops look their best at a certain time of year. And all of them look different at different times of the day.
A beautiful brick wall that throws a shadow over you while basking your surrounding in bright sunlight, will have you literally hiding in the shadows. However, a little earlier or later in the day, and it will be the perfect wedding photo location.
The venue’s rose garden might provide a perfect backdrop when the roses are in bloom, however in early spring, or late in summer when the blooms are gone, the eye will be drawn to the bare soil underneath the stalks with green leaves.
So when narrowing down the list of locations to chose for your wedding photos, keep in mind when you will have your photos taken.
Formal photos are boring
Alright, we will avoid boring. And I can (and will) make the couple photos relaxed and fun. But no photographer can turn them into anyone’s favourite part of the day.
No matter what I do, you will always want to get back to your party. And that is not only ok, it is great!
You’re there to celebrate your wedding or handfasting, not for a photo shoot. So bear that in mind when choosing the locations for your wedding photos.
The last thing you want to do is trek for 5 minutes to and another 5 minutes back from a photo location.
Which is why I will look at the suitability of photo locations close to where your party is first and pick the best ones.
It is also why I recommend to anyone, who cannot settle on just two photo locations, to put them in order of preference. If at any point you feel like you don’t want to take any more couple photos and just want to get back to your party, we already have taken your photos at your favourite spots.
Ways I help you prepare
We will talk about your photo locations in our pre-wedding call. So if you have any questions about the suitability of any of them, I’m happy to share my thoughts and help you decide.
I will also suggest spots that I know will look good in photos.
We can as much (or as little) time as you want taking your couple photos. As long as your schedule / the weather / the ground conditions allow, it’s your call.
What I do differently
Documentary photography is my jam, so we won’t do any stiff poses and fake smiles. You will feel like I am directing a film in which you play yourself – who else!?
Being a documentary wedding photographer also means that I got an eye for the unexpected.
If I realise that we have just walked into a fab photo location, I will stop and suggest it. Meaning for a 30 second stop, you will have an additional fabulous couple photo in a great spot that hasn’t been used much – or at all yet.
If disaster strikes
And if all goes wrong, like weather and ground conditions, well that is why I check out your venue before your wedding.
I make sure we have a backup plan if suddenly you find yourself to have the most rained on rainy wedding day known to humanity.
Rest assured, we will take beautiful photos of the two of you that you will love!
Need more help planning those formal wedding photos?
I got just the thing for you!
You will find some helpful pointers in what to consider when picking your group and couple photo locations in my blog about how to get the best wedding photos in each of the seasons.
Via this blog you can find helpful advice for the season of your wedding: Best Season for Wedding Photos in the UK
Other things to think of when choosing locations for your wedding photos
While you are planning your wedding or handfasting, you will find it helpful to know how much time you need to schedule in for group photos. That’s why I will talk about it in my next blog post: How much time should you set aside for formal wedding photos?
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Or if you want to check if I am available on your wedding date, get in touch via my contact form.
I look forward to hearing about your wedding!
Bright blessings,
Alternative Wedding And Handfasting Photographer UK and EU
