101: Communicating Your Vision to Your Wedding Photographer

A black and white image shows a bride and groom standing before an officiant outdoors at a rustic wedding. The scene is blurred and softly focused, creating a dreamy effect. The couple appears to be exchanging vows or listening to the officiant.

Planning a wedding is an extensive process, and there are so many decisions to make along the way. What your colors will be, what flowers you’ll have, who your wedding party will consist of, what they’ll wear, what you’ll where, the venue, the special touches that make the venue your own; it’s all so very intense. But as you work your way through that list of decisions and make the selections that feel the most true to you and your style, that perfect wedding starts to take shape before your very eyes. It’s your “vision” and it is uniquely yours!

Your wedding style will often inform your photography style. Once you can describe the feel and vibe of your wedding day, you’ll naturally be able to find the words to describe it to a photographer. Use the following samples to help you begin to craft your own personal “style statement”:

An outdoor display features a large floral mural with various flowers, including roses, tulips, and carnations. Surrounding the mural are numerous potted plants and decorative planters on a brick-paved area, with tall buildings and a flag in the background.

CHERISHED

“Our wedding will be a whimsical garden affair, with lush florals, fairy lights, and a touch of bohemian charm. Guests will be greeted with artisanal cocktails and live acoustic music, creating a relaxed and enchanting atmosphere under the stars.”

PAMPERED

“We will have a glamorous black-tie affair set in a historic Italian ballroom, dripping with old-world charm. From the grand entrance to the champagne tower, every detail exudes sophistication and timeless elegance, making it a night to remember for all who attend.”

RELAXED

“Our wedding will be a laid-back Island celebration, with toes in the sand and salty breeze in the air. Think barefoot vows, colorful umbrellas, and a seafood feast under a canopy of palm trees on the beach, capturing the essence of coastal living and carefree love.”

LOVED

“We are having an organic wedding, where vintage meets modern romance. With lights twinkling overhead and long wooden tables, our day will be filled with laughter, love, and down-home comfort.”

RESPECTFUL

“Our wedding will be a cultural fusion; blending traditions from both our backgrounds into a vibrant and eclectic celebration. From the colorful décor to the diverse cuisine and spirited dance performances, it’s a testament to our love and the unity of our families.”

A bride and groom stand hand in hand outside a grand building with ornate arches and balconies. The bride wears a flowing white dress and veil that flutters in the wind, while the groom is dressed in a black suit. Both are smiling and looking to their left, captured beautifully by their San Diego wedding photographer.

FINDING THE WORDS

Choosing a photographer who shares the feeling and vibe your want for your guests is the first thing you should be focused on. Usually you will find a photographer’s describing their style and how they work on their ABOUT PAGE.

Once you’ve done that, though, now what? You need the VOCABULARY.

Believe it or not, the best way to do that is to talk with your potential photographer and discuss everything. Discuss your goals, your worries, and your thoughts. Then let that photographer add their own ideas to the mix. You may not need to worry about finding the right words at all!

VOCABULARY

light and airy, dark and moody, or realism?
natural or retouched ?
casual, formal, or somewhere in the middle?
a highly custom service or just shoot and deliver?
digital files only or printed fine art?
whimsical, enchanting, glamorous, timeless?

posed, candid, or a combo?
formal, fun, relaxed, wild?
directive, hands-off, or some of both?
a new bestie, keep our distance, or a little of both?
all color, all black and white, or a bit of each?
elegant, carefree, spirited, sophisticated?

A group of groomsmen in suits are seated around a table in at the historic guild hotel, engaging in conversation. The interior is elegant with a well-lit bar and shelves of bottles in the background. The ceiling has unique geometric designs, and there are unoccupied chairs nearby.

All photographers have their (different) preferred style they work within. Some specialize in heavily stylized and posed shoots, while others, like myself, veer more in the direction of more candid/emotional photography—photos that touch your soul and transport you right back in time.

Choosing a photographer who shares your preferred general style is the first thing you should be focused on. Usually you will find information about a photographer’s style on their ABOUT PAGE.

A bright living room with large windows allowing natural light. The space features a beige sectional sofa, several green plants, and three black-and-white photos on the wall, including a wedding album display. There is also a small wooden coffee table and a modern black chair.

Ask to see a whole wedding event

After you’ve checked out a photographer’s website and Instagram account, and you see the words and aesthetic you are going for: Ask to see an entire wedding they have shot in the past.

It is all well and good to see a beautifully curated instagram feed or sample gallery/album of 30 lovely (but heavily retouched) cherry-picked images, it’s another thing to actually SEE an entire set of images from a whole wedding.

What events/people/places were actually captured through the day?
Does it tell the whole story of an 6-10 hour day in a way you would want it told?
Can you follow the sequence of events? Are they in a chronological order?
Are there photos of people, places, things, emotions?
Do you like the lighting?
Do you like the color tone of the photos? Will it look dated in a few years?
Did the collection make you feel like you were transported to the event?

Things you really don’t need worry about:

Viewing a sample wedding at your specific venue or location. Look for similar lighting and aesthetic instead.
The clothing or decor shown is not your exact style. Look at how the clothing and decor is photographed, not for a replica of your ideas.
The couple doesn’t look like you.

A woman in a white dress walks past elegantly set tables with green chairs and floral centerpieces on a stone patio surrounded by greenery.

CREATE A DETAILED GAME PLAN

First, talk to your photographer and other creative partners.

You may discover your photographer and other professionals, have some great ideas. If you don’t have a planner already helping you, your photographer should be able to coach you on best practices. Such as: how and when to capture the best light, timing of events, working with your size group, and selecting the perfect location for your photos. Sharing your vision with your photographer may produce recommendations that you had no idea existed!

Create a timeline or “Run of Events” as the pros call it. This should include detailed times for everything from waking up, to eating a snack, to travel times. Literally everything happening in the days leading up and on the wedding day should be accounted for. Be sure to assign a liaison to help organize family photos and also point out the most important people at the party.

32.party photos warehouse wedding 3845 2

Is it your goal to feel like a guest at your own party?

(Psst, say yes!) Do you want to just “go with the flow” and “be in the moment” on your wedding day?

Here is the secret: You have to plan ahead with all your wedding professionals and family members so you CAN detach and just be in the moment.Only REALLY GOOD advance planning allows you something priceless: to show up to your wedding and not have to tell anyone what to do. You don’t have to think about what is next. You don’t have to decide when to cut the cake. It all just magically happens around you in a way that feels very calm and organic.

What I don’t recommend, is to wait until the day of your wedding to begin telling your wish-list to your photographer (and other wedding professionals). Directing your photographer and other creative partners “in the moment” is distracting and stressful for everyone involved. Nobody likes to have to manage things they needn’t, or be managed on the actual day-of due to poor planning. Allow us to do what we do best, take care of you!

JENNIFER DERY is a San Diego based, wedding, engagement, and family photographer. You can hire her for your wedding too!

SAY HELLO!