This page is for our couples that already booked us.
We are super simple, we know what we are doing and for the most part you can tell us what time to arrive and that's all it takes. But if you complete this page, it will make your wedding day A LOT easier. We will get back to you if we have any questions.
Before the wedding please:
(all parts can be found on this page)
1. Read the "Suggestions" at the bottom of the page
2. Complete the "Pre-wedding Form" on this page (to be completed 3 weeks before the wedding)
3. Create a close family group portrait list for yourself (more about this down this page), this is for you during the wedding day to help you during the family photoshoot. The list is for you (not for the photographer) to bring with you for the wedding day (as the photographer does not know your family and will not have face recognition).
4. Send the timeline (if any) and a photo of your and your partner (for photography purposes) to christian@thetalentedphotographer.com
Pre-wedding Form
Close family group photo list
We do not require a shot list for the wedding. The only list that does help a lot (since the photographer does not know your family, and every family is different) is the combination of people for the close-family photos, especially for bigger weddings.
For example:
Bride: Sofie
Groom: John
Sofie + John and John's parents
Sofie + John and Sofie's parents
Sofie + John and uncle Joe and his wife
Sofie + John and John's grandparents
Sofie + John and Sofie's grandparents
etc etc etc... you get the point.
Make a list like that FOR YOURSELF and have it on your phone, or give it to your future spouse, or a bridesmaid/groomsman (or anybody) that knows the family. The names can be called out as the photographer takes photos during the close-family photoshoot. This will turn a 45 minute process into a 15 minute process for you. That way there is no stress during this photoshoot, you don't have to think while it happens... and you don't miss anyone! This is important, as the photographer does not know how many grandparents are still around, or how many close aunties you have, etc.
Suggestions
(data gathered from years and years of experience)
1. Your wedding is a day of celebration of your love for someone. Have fun and enjoy your friends and family! The best wedding galleries come from the most fun and remember to trust the photographer about photography during the day-of, not family member, not the DJ, not the planner, not the venue when they tell you where photos should be done; no one but the photographer when it comes to photography.
2. While planning, if you have any questions about how long a certain photoshoot or part of a wedding would take with the photographer, ask us! don't ask the DJ, the planner, the florist, the venue people, etc. You'd be surprised how different every photography company works.
3. A shot-list is totally not required and we prefer not to receive one. Actually, by experience, if you give a wedding photographer a long shot-list, the photographer will focus on trying to get those shots instead of capturing moments as they happen, yielding to missed moments. Obviously, if you want any particular photos, let the photographer know! but you don't have to worry about coming up with anything, we have done this hundreds of times. Have fun and let the photographer do his/her thing!
4. Tell the DJ/Venue not to put any colored lighting beams on you during the first dance or any official parent-dances, or simply ever, if possible.. If the DJ wants to beam a purple light on you to "make things interesting ", you will look purple in your photos, not interesting. We leave this up to you.
5. Obviously do whatever you want! But try to sleep the night before. We know how much most of you want to party the night before, but a lot of stress and mis-emotions during the wedding day will come from lack of sleep. Also, you don't have to wake up at 4 am to do your make-up, if make-up takes 2 hours and your ceremony is at 5pm. Sleep, sleep, sleep!
6. Don't be hangry! eat. Have snacks. We know how hard it is to eat during your wedding day. Not being hungry the entire day makes a world of a difference.
7. If you had enough photos in your day and don't want more photos, tell the photographer you had enough, it's totally fine. Communication is the key!
8. Don't forget photographers do not read minds. We know how to document weddings, we will provide tons of photos and you don't have to worry about a single thing. But if you want a photo of the yellow cat sitting on top of the fridge in the attic, make sure you communicate it. Communicate any photos out of the ordinary that you want.
9. Not required, but if you absolutely loved your service, don't forget to tip! wedding photography is an art but also a service.
10. If your wedding takes place until night time, take advantage of the last part of sunset lighting, the twilight time. Google sunset during your wedding day, plan to shoot at the last part of sunset for at least 15 minutes, include this in your timeline, even if you already did photos during the day. *Ask your photographer the day-of, sometimes this is not necessary if it was good lighting all day, for example if it was cloudy and grey all day.
11. Some people want them, some don't want them, but if you want photos of the dress (before you get dressed) and accessories/details (rings, invitation cards, etc) place them on a table or an area for the photographer to photograph when he/she gets there. Make sure there is enough time (at least 15-20 mins for these) within the "getting ready" part and the photographer is aware that you want these. Point out to the table or area and make sure all the articles you want photographed are there. Make sure there is enough time (or add more time to your package) as the photographer will choose to photograph moments and other things instead of these articles if time is short.
12. Be nice and kind to us. We work hard and in our hearts we want you to have the best photos possible. Therefore, it is important that you are nice and kind during the entire process, especially during your wedding day. We are super cool honestly, but we require our couples to be cordial and nice, and we have a zero-tolerance-policy for any rudeness. Trust that being nice goes a long way, a very long way with us and we go the extra extra mile when the good vibes are present.
13. We understand weddings can be expensive. Please add more time to your package if you really need it. Photography is the most important investment of your wedding, these are your memories and the only things you keep after your wedding. You don't keep your venue, your DJ, your cake, your flowers, etc. Don't try to cram what a photographer would need 8-10 hours to cover in just a few hours, it ends up being very stressful for you and the photographer. Either add more time, or just be happy with what can be covered in a few hours and enjoy your day. Your wedding day should be a happy celebration for you, not a stressful job. Also, it's always better to have an above-average photographer for a few hours than an "average" photographer for a lot of hours.
14. If you got the "Easy Package" but you really like a photographer in specific, you can still upgrade to a photographer in specific (so long as that particular photographer is available for your date).
15. Don't worry so much. You will get hundreds of photos and you can click on "hide photo" on any photo you don't like in your gallery before you share it with friends and family, and you don't have to share it if you don't want to. You're in good hands, have fun!