How to Get the Best Wedding Photos: Expert Advice from A Scotland Wedding Photographer

Great wedding photographs will transport you back to the excitement, beauty, and love of your special day. Finding a photographer whose work you like is only half the battle. It takes a certain level of chemistry and communication between photographers and clients to get those truly unforgettable shots. 

I’ve created a list of 10 helpful tips for you to keep in mind as you and your wedding photographer navigate your big day. Even if you hire the best photographer in the world, these tips will empower you to make the most out of the services they provide. 

Let’s jump in!

HOW TO GET THE BEST WEDDING PHOTOS

HOW TO GET THE BEST WEDDING PHOTOS

Tip One: Lighting is Everything

“I am forever chasing light. The light turns the ordinary into the magical.”

-Trent Parke

Good lighting is the most important part of a great photo. Most experienced photographers know how to work with different lighting scenarios, but there are a few things you can consider when choosing a venue and planning your day. 

Natural light is your best friend. It will make your skin glow, highlight the details in your dress, and have the same lighting effects on the foreground and background of your shot. 

For inside venues, take advantage of large windows. If you’re outdoors, try to angle your events so that you’re facing the sun (morning activities should face east – where the sun rises, afternoon/evening activities should face west – where the sun sets).

At night, the next best lighting is candlelight and fairy lights. The warm glow will have that same gentle effect for close-ups and portrait shots as natural light. Wide shots will look magical with small lights surrounding you like stars in the night. 

HOW TO GET THE BEST WEDDING PHOTOS

Tip Two: Wake Up Beautiful

Of course, I don’t mean literally! Ideally, everyone gets married once, so it’s important to capture every part of the day. This includes morning preparation time! 

Hair and makeup should be done in front of a window for the best access to natural light. This will help your stylists, save you from having to stare into bright lights, and create the opportunity for soft-light photography. Soft or natural lighting adds a gentle touch to portrait photos, increasing the beauty of every detail. 

Put bags and luggage away so that it doesn’t end up in any wide shots of your preparation space. 

Show up to your morning preparation photo ready. I recommend wearing a neutral-tone robe or buttoned t-shirt to create a classy yet comfy vibe. Plus, you won’t risk ruining your hair and makeup when it’s time to take off your prep clothes and put on the dress. 

If you want detailed shots of jewellery, flowers, invitations, and vows, organize those smaller items in advance to save you and your photographer some time.

Plan a 30-minute gap between getting ready and making your way to the ceremony. Take a deep breath, do any final touches, and get some pre-ceremony bridal portraits. Trust me, your smile will look different before and after you’ve tied the knot! 

HOW TO GET THE BEST WEDDING PHOTOS

Tip Three: Cue the First Look

The first look is a moment before the ceremony where you and your partner get to see each other before all your guests. Traditionally, your partner doesn’t see you before you come down the aisle. However, couples have found unparalleled intimacy in reserving the first look for each other alone. 

If you decide to carve out time for a first look, let your photographer know in advance. This way, they can plan ahead and find a spot out of the way to take shots from and allow you and your partner to maintain the magical closeness of the moment. 

HOW TO GET THE BEST WEDDING PHOTOS

Tip Four: Host an “Unplugged” Ceremony

During the ceremony itself, you want your dearest and nearest to sit back and witness the moment you and your partner profess eternal love. Your guests will be tempted to pull out a phone or camera to try and capture the moment for themselves. At that point, they’ll be watching your ceremony through a screen instead of being fully present with their eyes on you.

Ask your guests in advance or post a sign at the entrance reminding them to put their phones and cameras away. You can send copies of professional shots later. Plus, with an unplugged ceremony, your photographer can take clean wide shots without having to worry about getting someone else’s phone or camera in the way. 

A few options for friendly reminders for guests: 

“Welcome to our unplugged wedding. We invite you to be fully present with us during our ceremony, so please turn off all phones and cameras. Thank you!”

“We’ve asked a professional photographer to capture this special moment so that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy it with us. Our beautiful images will be available after the wedding.”

“The greatest gift you can give us today is to be truly present, so please turn off all phones and cameras and enjoy this special moment with us.”

HOW TO GET THE BEST WEDDING PHOTOS

Tip Five: Stay Connected

Another ceremony tip is to make sure you stay focused on the magic of the moment. Don’t look directly at your wedding photographer unless they ask you to do so. Photos are more candid when you stay present with your partner. 

Also, hold hands with your partner during the ceremony. It’ll offer you an extra bit of comfort and create a greater sense of connection for your wedding photos. 

HOW TO GET THE BEST WEDDING PHOTOS

Tip Six: How to Have the Perfect First Kiss

Your first kiss as a married couple is a timeless, iconic moment. Prepare by advising your officiant to take a step aside before announcing that “the bride and groom may now kiss” so that they are out of your shot. 

Make a mental note to hold the kiss longer so that your photographer has ample time to snap a few photos. 

HOW TO GET THE BEST WEDDING PHOTOS

Tip Seven: Confetti Makes Everything Better

As you prepare to transition from your ceremony to the next event, recreate the classic rice toss with biodegradable confetti. This will give your guests a chance to shower you with happiness and love and create an opportunity for some dynamic candid wedding photographs. 

If you do decide to have a confetti aisle, remember to hold hands instead of hiding your face and make sure you stop for a magical kiss! Ask your guests to throw confetti up, not into your faces.

HOW TO GET THE BEST WEDDING PHOTOS

Tip Eight: Group Photos & Couple Photos

Group photos are the most important staged wedding photos. These are usually the ones couples frame and hang on the wall. As such, it’s important to make sure you and your photographer work together to get amazing shots. 

• Decide your groups in advance and try to keep the number of groups under 10.
• Remember to face the natural light as you and your photographer pick the best backdrop at your venue.
• Even though the photos are staged, you can still make them candid. Talk and tell stories, jump, laugh, and embrace your friends and family.

Couples photoshoot doesn’t need to be scary. It’s the time when you can spend time away from your guests, take a deep breath and enjoy a new chapter in your life.

• Get some great candid couple photos by focusing on each other instead of the photographer. Talk about how you feel, kiss, hug, and take a walk together.
• A great time for couple photoshoot is the evening golden hour. Not only will the sunlight hit you more directly, but the warm and soft tones will make excellent portraits. 

HOW TO GET THE BEST WEDDING PHOTOS

Tip Nine: Speech Before You Eat

Set aside time for speeches before the meal. No one wants to be photographed while they’re eating, and if speeches happen after the food you run the risk of someone having something in their teeth!

If your speeches are happening later in the evening or during the wintertime, make sure the stage is well lit with candles or fairy lights for the best effects. 

HOW TO GET THE BEST WEDDING PHOTOS

Tip Ten: The First Dance

Dancing alone in a room full of people can feel weird. Stay present in the moment by focusing on your partner. Look into each other’s eyes, hold hands, and cuddle. 

Even though it might feel like you’re on stage, this isn’t a performance. So, take some of the pressure off and remember that this is the beginning of something beautiful. 

Finding a great wedding photographer is key to making your once-in-a-lifetime day last forever. 

My name is Bernadeta, and I’m a Scotland elopement and intimate wedding photographer. I’m passionate about capturing the beauty I see in everything, and what’s more beautiful than true love? 

As a Scotland elopement and intimate wedding photographer, I get to combine my photography skills with my love of adventure. My familiarity with Scottish landscapes and experience as a wedding photographer makes me an expert in capturing the romance, emotion, intimacy, and natural beauty. 

I will tell your story through pictures. Show up and be yourselves, and I’ll take care of the rest.