Your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life! As a couple, you spend months planning the perfect celebration—so it’s only natural to want every beautiful detail captured forever. But unfortunately, many couples make some common wedding photography mistakes that can impact their big day. As a professional wedding photographer, I’ve seen it all! In this post, I’ll walk you through the biggest mistakes couples make when it comes to wedding photos, and how to avoid them. If you want to ensure you get the best photos of your special day, read on and learn how to sidestep the most frequent wedding photography mistakes to avoid.
1. Waiting Too Long to Book Your Photographer
One of the biggest mistakes couples make is waiting until the last minute to hire a photographer. We tend to book up early—sometimes12-18 months in advance. If you wait too long, your preferred photographer may already be booked, and you may have to settle for someone with less experience or someone with a style that doesn’t match your vision. Booking early also gives you the opportunity to build a relationship with your photographer and plan thoroughly for your wedding day!
2. Not Matching the Photographer’s Style to Your Vision
Every professional photographer has a unique shooting and editing style. Some lean towards light and airy (like me!), others towards dark and moody, and many fall somewhere in between. If you don’t take the time to ensure that your photographer’s style aligns with the vision you have for your wedding gallery, you may end up with photos that don’t resonate with you. Always ask to see a few full wedding galleries from your photographer, so you know exactly what to expect.
3. Not Hiring a Licensed, Insured Photographer
Your special day is no time for risks. Hiring someone who isn’t a true professional wedding photographer, or who lacks proper licensing, insurance, or backup equipment, can lead to disaster. What happens if they get sick, their gear fails, or an accident occurs? A licensed and insured professional comes prepared for all types of lighting conditions, has backup gear on hand, and offers total peace of mind for your big day!
4. Skipping the Engagement Session
Engagement photos are more than just pretty pictures—they’re a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera and build rapport with your photographer. This helps you feel more relaxed and confident on the big day. It’s also an opportunity for your photographer to understand your best angles, your chemistry as a couple, and your unique personalities, all of which lead to more natural and authentic wedding day photos. If you’re thinking about wedding photography mistakes to avoid, skipping this session is definitely one of them. During my engagement sessions, I figure out the best poses for my couples that we go back to on their wedding day. Because they had practice at their engagement session, when their big day approaches, couples are much more relaxed in front of the camera and we are able to get stunning photographs even if we are pressed for time. I highly recommend booking an engagement session before your wedding day!
5. Not Finalizing or Sharing Your Wedding Timeline
A detailed wedding timeline helps your photographer be in the right place at the right time. Without a finalized schedule, important events like the first kiss, first dance, or special moments with family members could be missed or poorly lit. Make sure to share your timeline with your photographer and your wedding planner well in advance, and keep them updated with any changes!
6. Not Leaving Ample Buffer Time
One of the most common errors is not leaving enough time for photography. Weddings almost never run exactly on schedule, so adding buffer time throughout the day is crucial! If hair and makeup run late or transportation gets delayed, buffer time ensures that your photo sessions don’t get cut short. This helps your photographer capture the best photos without rushing. Also, you will feel so much better if your day is less rushed!
7. Letting Relatives Get in the Way
It’s lovely to have loved ones involved! But sometimes family members unintentionally interfere—especially during family photos. Uncle Bob with his iPad can get in the way of your first kiss shot, or a relative may try to give posing directions. Designate a helper who knows both sides of the family to wrangle guests and keep the photo process efficient. Trust your photographer to do their job without distractions.
8. Not Telling Guests They’re in Family Photos
Another common mistake is not informing your guests in advance if they’ll be in family photos. This is so important! When people wander off to cocktail hour, it delays everything. Once family has left the ceremony site, they are officially in party mode and it’s hard to wrangle everyone who’s needed for photos back! Make sure your wedding planner, coordinator, or officiant announces who should stick around for formal photos, or include a note in your wedding program. This helps keep your timeline intact and ensures no one is missed!
9. Forgetting to Mention Special Moments or Surprises
Planning a surprise dance? A fireworks show? A private vow exchange? Your photographer won’t know to be ready unless you tell them! Share a list of special moments and surprises well in advance. This gives your photographer the chance to plan their angles, adjust for lighting conditions, and make sure they’re in the right place to capture it perfectly. Make sure if your family has any surprises for you and your partner on your wedding day, make sure you tell them to inform your vendor team!
10. Trying Too Hard to Make Everything Perfect
Let go of perfection. Something will go off script—guaranteed. Obsessing over tiny details takes away from your joy and spontaneity. The best way to get natural, emotional, authentic photos is to enjoy the moment and let your photographer work their magic. Your attitude and energy will be reflected in your images. One of the top wedding photography mistakes to avoid is letting perfectionism overshadow your enjoyment. As your wedding photographer, it’s really important to me that you have fun at your wedding! I want photography to be the last thing on your mind – Let me take care of capturing your big day!
11. Focusing Too Much on the Camera Instead of the Moment
When couples are overly focused on where the camera is, they miss out on the real emotions of the day. Constantly looking for the lens can make photos feel posed and stiff. Trust your photographer. Be present. The most meaningful images come from real interactions and candid moments, not forced poses.
12. Skipping a First Look
A first look isn’t just trendy—it’s practical. It gives you a quiet, intimate moment with your partner before the ceremony and allows you to get many couple portraits done early. This frees up time after the ceremony for enjoying the celebration, and can reduce stress and nerves. This is especially true for the partner who will be waiting at the front of the aisle. I find that a first look allows everyone to relax and for true emotions to shine through! Another plus for a first look is that it’s a chance to take couples photos and to capture family and wedding party photos before the ceremony. This frees up time for you both to enjoy cocktail hour and it’s an insurance policy for couples photos. If the weather turns sour before golden hour, you can rest easy knowing that you have gorgeous couples photos of you both because you took some after your first look!
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these wedding photography mistakes can make a huge difference in the way your special day is documented. Your photos are the lasting legacy of your big day—make sure you give them the attention and planning they deserve.
If you’re still searching for a professional wedding photographer who understands timing, lighting, emotion, and how to deliver a cohesive gallery you’ll cherish forever, I’d love to chat. The earlier we connect, the better I can help you plan your wedding timeline and ensure we have enough time to capture all the most important moments.
Let’s create something beautiful together—because the last thing you want is to look back with regrets.
Are you ready to avoid the most common wedding photography mistakes?
Let’s connect and make sure your special day is everything you’ve dreamed of—and more.
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