We can all agree that a wedding is extremely stressful, regardless of your role in it. It’s certainly a big day for the couple and their families, and for photographers, there are few events that cause as much anxiety as knowing you’re solely responsible for creating lasting memories of the day.
There’s a ton of pressure, but there are ways that you can reduce your stress level and that of your clients as well. Consider these tips as surefire ways to make the event go as smoothly as possible.
Ensure Your Clients Get the Products They Want
Clearly, a major stressor when it comes to getting married is the budget. It’s not cheap to put on a wedding, and parents or couples that foot the bill themselves are always on the lookout for savings. Unfortunately, photography packages are often on the receiving end of a budget cut, meaning sacrifices have to be made in terms of the services and products that can be purchased.
At least that’s how it used to be!
Now, photographers have a way to ensure that their clients get the products and services they want, while at the same time, ensuring that profits are maximized. Album Registry allows clients to crowdfund your photography services, putting the onus of paying for wedding-day photos on their guests. This unique approach to wedding photography not only reduces the stress of financing your services, but it also gives couples a greater likelihood that they will get the products they want too.
The Album Registry process is incredibly simple as well. You sign up for the service, and a special web page is created for the event. The couple receives a unique URL to their event page, which they share with friends, family, and guests. Then, guests visit the page, pledge whatever amount they like, and their contributions go toward fulfilling the couple’s product wishlist.
Perhaps even better, Album Registry keeps the page live for five days after the event so late gifters have a chance to contribute to the cause. And, if the couple’s selected products aren’t fully funded, no worry! Album Registry will create a high-quality product that fits the funded amount. That means your clients have the peace of mind knowing they don’t have to foot the bill for your photography services, and they’re assured of getting a top-notch album no matter what. What’s not to like about that?!
Have a Final Consultation Before the Wedding Day
There is no better way to finalize the details of the wedding day than by meeting with your clients prior to the ceremony. This doesn’t mean you should meet an hour before, rather, schedule a time a couple of weeks before the big day to ensure everyone is on the same page. Hammer out details regarding the best time to get shots of the wedding party, your positioning in the venue during the ceremony, the couple’s shot list, and so on.
Part of this consultation should be inquiries regarding other vendors. You need to know when the flowers will arrive, when dinner will be served, when the DJ or band will start the after party, and so on. Having everyone else’s timeline allows you to build your schedule such that you know where to be and when, so no moments from the day go undocumented.
Get Detail Shots Early On
Photos of the little details - the bouquet, the groom’s cufflinks, the couple’s rings, and the like, are best done early in the day. Obviously, your photos of these items relies on the florist delivering the flowers on time, and they need to take place before the couple gets dressed. By carving out time in the early morning schedule to get these shots, you will be sure to be out of the way later on as the hectic frenzy of getting dressed begins.
Get Big Group Shots First, Then Small Ones
No matter the size, group shots are often the most challenging photos you’ll need to take. It’s a lot to ask a dozen or so people - all of whom are dressed uncomfortably - to simultaneously look good.
But, you can improve your chances of getting pleasing group shots by tackling large groups first. Don’t make grandma and grandpa and the flower girl and ring bearer sit around while you take photos of the bride and groom. Among those people, the bride and groom will have the most invested in the shots and will likely have the most stamina to stay posed for longer periods of time. Get the big group in and out quickly, then focus on the smaller groups so you can minimize how long you need to keep people happy and engaged in the shoot.
And that’s it! Reducing the stress of the wedding day really comes down to offering smart, money-saving products, planning ahead, and using your time with the couple and their guests wisely. Not only will these practices reduce the stress level of your clients, but you will also be less anxious about the day and will be able to perform your duties in a timely manner and with a smile too!