Wedding Photography & Videography TIPS For Brides

If you are on this page, firstly -welcome & thank you for visiting this page. You may be in the process of planning your wedding and as stressful as that is, there are a few key things to know about photography and your wedding in advance that can save you alot of stress and pain.

Number 1 – Trust

Make sure that the person that you use has been used by someone you know. That isnt always possible, especially when shooting at a destination location or away from where you live. The key is to know the reputation from the person, and that is as easy as a phonecall or even a quick whatsapp chat with a previous client. Make sure your referal talks to the work on the day, how the photos are delivered and how the felt overall working with the photographer.

Number 2 – Reliabiliity

I have about two examples just for 2026 where I was called in on standby to work on a weddding that had had a photographer / videographer booked, but unfortunately for whatever reason they did not pitch up. In both cases a person was found to replace them, within the time and location of the work, but in those two instances the person shooting didnt even pick up their phone. So reliability is the name of the game. The name of the game. This street goes two ways and leads me to number 3…

Number 3 – Have a contract

A legal contract, bound by South African law ( or law of the primary residence of the photographer /couple ) needs to be in place. The reason is very simple. You sign for what you have paid for, and the two parties are bound to it in legal terms which can cover a range of things. The main items I would look for are what must be delivered, what is expected from the photographer in terms of work and delivery and cost agreed. This includes clauses to protect the photographer – especially when weather or ACTS of God come in to play.

It can also cover how your images are used, and who owns them when you are done. In SA, if you pay for the photos, they are yours, unless that is specifically agreed to in the contract terms. Usage and right to use, are key.

Make sure that you know the terms you agree to. If you are not being asked to sign an agreement, then you can expect issues if anything happens that you are not happy with. “Shit happens”. This includes cameras being broken by guests, weather changes, family drama before a wedding that halts everything. Those things can be covered in a few lines of contract to best protect both parties. If for whatever reason there is a delay, we can always shoot again at another time.

Number 4 – Work with the photographer before your special day.

It isnt always possible, but a shoot before a wedding can really help to get everyone on the same page in terms of what to expect before then. This includes posing. Alot of folks are not happy with their photos before a wedding, but expect miracles when hiring a photographer. The clear positive mental attitude towards the wedding shoot is the most critical part of the day. That means that we work together as a team, to execute on the vision you have in mind at the time you say Yes. To smoothen this out, make sure within 12 to 6 months before the main day you can shoot in the field/park/church – as a warm up event. Posing for brides in this case, is a special reason why its best to shoot an engagement photo set before, to gain some “muscle memory” for maybe 20 to 30 types of poses for the day.

Finally

You have to meet your photographer/video team before. We now live in a post -covid online meeting first preference. Zoom meetings, and google chats online are perfectly fine to save time, but can I suggest atleast 2 to 3 detailed chats with minimum of 1 to 2 in person, so that everyone can understand the requirements clearly before the big day. Its best to meet face to face. That way we can ensure that from the booking, to the wedding day briefing meeting, and then engagement shoot – is clear, and we are all on the same page. Simple enough, but have seen many shoots happen where there isn’t clarity for parties on the big day. You cannot plan for every single unforeseen event, especially weather, but with enough time you can atleast be comfortable working with each situation with confidence. Wedding photographers play the role of psychologist, lighting director, locations experts and even coach. After 30 years of taking pictures of people, the key I found for every single interaction is open communication, sticking to the agreed plan and working together as a team. That’s how I work.