Knowing what to expect from your wedding photographer will take away wedding day worries. Hiring a professional who knows what they’re doing will set your mind at rest. An experienced wedding photographer will bring a feeling of calm, and their quiet confidence can be a blessing amongst all the excitement of getting ready.

I thought this would be a lovely little blog to share – because so often, we think of wedding photography as being a job that happens all on ‘the day’. In reality, there is so much care and preparation that goes into making your wedding photography experience a relaxed and enjoyable one. After your wedding day, your photographer will be super busy getting everything ready to show you. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes. Knowing how wedding photography works in advance might just be helpful in the run up to your wedding.

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This blog is a collaboration with Cumbria wedding photographer Mark Battista, inspired by his blog What to Expect from your Wedding Photography.

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Before you book your wedding photographer

Have a proper conversation with one or two shortlisted wedding photographers. (Be honest with them if you have more than one chat lined up!) Ask any questions you can think of. Most importantly, see if you get along. Learn about their approach, ask what to expect before your wedding, on the day, and afterwards. Share what matters most to you, and see if they’re a match for your priorities.

Afterwards, always let all the photographers you’ve spoken to know what you’ve decided – even if you’ve chosen someone else, a ‘just to let you know’ message is always appreciated.

In the run up to your wedding day

When you’ve paid your deposit and booked your wedding photographer, don’t feel like you can’t reach out if you have questions. I saw a lovely instagram reel the other day with a wedding photographer explaining how years of going to weddings meant he knew an awful lot about everything from the mechanics of a bowtie to looking after your bouquet! My point is – wedding photographers are an amazing source of knowledge, and can be super helpful allies as you plan your wedding.

“From start to finish, Mark was very helpful and answered all our questions (we had lots) – he’s easy to get on with and calms the nerves throughout.” – Adam & Danielle

Pre wedding photographs

If you’re not so confident reaching out, I would really recommend an engagement / pre-wedding photoshoot. Most wedding photographers I know will offer this – and it’s often very affordable. You get some lovely, relaxed photos, but that’s not all – you get to experience being photographed, and you can get through any awkwardness or nerves before your wedding day.

Your wedding photographer will be with you throughout your big day. Feeling comfortable around them because you’ve spent a few hours seeing how they work is the best thing. That’s why a couples photoshoot before your wedding can be so lovely. (Plus, your cat can be in it. Or your dog, or it can be in a special place for you both.)

“These sessions are relaxed and easy going, with no pressure to pose or perform. It is a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera and to get used to how I work. Many couples tell me it helps them feel far more relaxed on the wedding day itself.” – Mark Battista

A month beforehand – understanding the final details

Whether or not you’ve been in touch with your photographer since you booked, they’re likely to reach out a month or so before the big day to chat through details they need – timings, your priorities for photos, locations and that kind of thing. Mark Battista is one who uses a short questionnaire – a lovely way to make sure nothing’s missed and there are no surprises.

What to expect from your wedding photographer on your big day

Most wedding photographers offer some element of ‘documentary’ style photography – relaxed, natural images. This lets your wedding day flow naturally, and you’ll get the best relaxed images of you and your guests.

A great wedding photographer will listen and understand how much direction you’d like – and it’s fine to take comfort from your photographer’s gentle guidance if that’s something you’ll find helpful.

Peace of mind

Your wedding photographer’s work on the day isn’t simply taking pictures. It’s keeping them safe. If you think they carry a lot of kit, that’s because of the spare camera bodies and lenses, as well as batteries and memory cards. Mark backs up his images to two memory cards while he’s shooting, then backs everything up to multiple drives and secure storage at home. (For anyone considering a friend / uncle / brand new wedding photographer, I can’t stress enough how important it is to hire a professional who’ll ensure multiple backups of everything. Taking so much care over your images is what sets professional wedding photographers apart.)

A wedding photographer’s work – after the big day

Thoughtful and consistent editing

After your wedding, your photographer will be busy selecting the best images, carefully editing them and curating a gallery for you to see.

Don’t expect to see every image taken at your wedding. Any professional wedding photographer will ensure the images you are sent are excellent quality, flattering and add to the story of your day. This doesn’t mean they’re hiding anything from you, simply that the ones where you blinked and pulled weird faces are left on the cutting room floor while your genuine laughter, joy and happy tears will take pride of place in your gallery.

When your gallery arrives

It’s lovely to share a review with your wedding photographer. Trust me – when your photographer hits ‘send’ on your wedding photos, they will be biting their nails nervously waiting to see what you think. Even if you think it goes without saying that the photos are amazing – there’s still a mildly terrified photographer out there. (We’re all human!) Send a little note!

Seeing your wedding photos online

Marketing a wedding photography business is all about sharing images, and you’re very likely to see your faces on your photographer’s social media, website and guest blogging platforms.

If you’re happy to be featured on wedding blogs and websites, this is huge for your wedding photographer and supplier team. You might be asked to complete a little interview for any features, which can be a really lovely way to relive your wedding day too!

Options around sharing are likely to be included in your contract, so read carefully before you sign – and make sure you understand how private or public your wedding images will be.

Nothing beats a wedding photo album you can touch

Some of the most special things in my life are old photographs – my parents’ and grandparents’ weddings. A quality wedding photo album will be your family’s most treasured possession for years, even generations. Invest in one!

A little further reading: how wedding photography works

• How much does wedding photography cost – and why
• Candid, never posed: an essential guide to relaxed and natural wedding photography
• How many hours of wedding photography do you need?
• How to plan a wedding: 10 practical tips from a Lake District wedding photographer
• Choosing a wedding photographer (a really detailed and useful run through of all the different types of wedding photography)