Your wedding photos are the only thing you have left of your special day once it’s over. So it’s important that you hire someone who has the skills and experience to capture your day perfectly.

A seasoned wedding photographer will know how to use light, making harsh sunlight look soft and luminous. They will also have people management skills that will help them to make everyone feel comfortable.

They Know the Flow of a Wedding Day

A professional wedding photographer will work with you (or your planner) to create a timeline that accommodates all of the photos you want. This helps ensure that you get all of the family and group photos you want, and that you have enough time to take romantic pictures with your spouse.

A skilled photographer will also know how to use natural light to create flattering images. They won’t be thrown off by harsh direct sunlight or dappled light, and they will make sure there are no shadows on your face.

Finally, a good photographer will communicate clearly with you. They will ask questions to understand your vision, offer helpful advice, and answer any of your concerns.

They Have the Experience

A professional will have the equipment needed to produce stunning photos. They’ll be able to handle any lighting challenges or uncooperative subjects that may come up during the day.

An experienced photographer will have a sense of humor and know how to make people feel at ease. They’ll be able to capture moments that you might not have even noticed, like the way your groom doubled over with laughter at his own joke, or the way your great-aunt is rocking out on the dance floor.

These moments are priceless and should be preserved. An expert wedding photographer will help you to remember them for years to come.

They Capture Unrepeatable Moments

A photographer's camera is like an artist's paintbrush, a carpenter's hammer or a writer's pen - it's what you do with it that creates remarkable results. An expert wedding photographer understands this and will be constantly searching for unique moments that can't be replicated.

For example, a self-conscious mom or rambunctious flower girl can often bring out genuine smiles when photographed by an experienced professional. Or a photographer might know to shoot through a window for a more interesting composition.

They also know to avoid unnecessary posed photos or table visits that could waste time and impact the timeline. This ensures the key moments are captured that will last decades and generations to come.

They Will Remember Your Requests

Expert wedding photographers have a list of shots that they want to capture for their clients. This is an important document and it will help ensure that no photos are missed on the day. It can also act as a backup in case of any equipment malfunctions.

Photographers also have a good understanding of lighting and can work with the bride and groom to create a day-of timeline that maximizes the best time of day for photography. This may include things like using large white umbrellas to provide a dramatic effect in the event of rain.

When selecting a photographer, make sure you ask to see full galleries from previous weddings they have photographed. If they don’t have a portfolio, this is an indicator that they are not an experienced wedding photographer.

They Will Make You Feel At Ease

You’ll spend a lot of time with your photographer (making sure the veil looks perfect and that great-aunt is grooving on the dance floor) so it’s important to find someone you vibe with. Narrow down your list to 3-6 photographers and peruse their websites and Instagrams to get a feel for their personalities.

During the consultation, communicate to your potential wedding photographer any family dynamics that could be awkward or anything specific you’d like them to capture (Grandma traveling from 3,000 miles away? Make sure she’s in the shot!) so that they can be prepared for the day.

They Will Make You Look Your Best

When you hire an expert wedding photographer, they’ll make sure you look your best. They know how to light you, where to get the most flattering photos and even give you tips on how to pose naturally.

A good wedding photographer will also be able to keep you on schedule during your day. They will work with your planner or whoever is creating your day-of timeline to figure out how long couple portraits, family and wedding party photos, and other requests will take and will ensure that they are completed in a timely manner.

While it may seem like anyone with a camera can do the job, it takes a special person who understands lighting, posing, and editing to capture amazing photos that will last a lifetime.