When it comes to weddings, I am your lactose-intolerant photographer.

This video clip above here, is how I feel about “Say Cheese” during wedding portraits photo sessions. And my guarantee to you is that if we get to work together — and you hear me say it when directing you to smile (which also will not happen, by the way) — I will eat a wheel of cheese of your choosing.

Rae and Alex had a wedding cake that was literally cheese cake - wheels of cheese for cake. That was a first for me.

Planning a wedding might seem like a huge responsibility. But don’t fret  — it will all work out, I promise! As a photographer with quite a few weddings under my belt (or behind my back) I’d like to share these tips with you to make your planning and your grand celebration a little bit easier.

For weddings, photography is one of the most essential parts. Many parts of the day are spontaneous, and some need to be planned months ahead and when it comes to wedding photography it’s no exception — some parts have to stay on track while others can be woven into the day based on the day’s events. To make your wedding photography experience flawless, the wedding day timeline is recommended. Part of the services many photographers, including myself, offer is a consultation and your day’s timeline-planning — that’s why it’s important to talk to your photographers before making a decision on whom to hire — some of us are planners in disguise.

What’s important to me in photographs? How do I hire a photographer, how many hours do I need, what is it all about, arrrgh! — If you feel this way, chances are, you’re in the midst of a decision fatigue.

So let’s recharge with this guide to your wedding day photography.

Wedding Portraits

For portraits it is a good idea to have some idea whose portraits you want. What will your mom want? What will his grandfather cherish? What will be her favourite on a fireplace mantel? What do I want to see on that canvas every time I am passing the hallway walls?

If your wedding has quite a few guests, you may feel you want to have photos taken with a lot of them — do consider that each grouping will take time away from your big day. And even though I am super good at making you never have to say cheese, the most memorable moments happen when no one is looking into the lens.

Make sure to include your wedding party, immediate family members and few special guests with whom you would like to get photographed. Keep about 30 minutes for capturing these portraits. If you have a longer list of groupings you’d like to capture in portraits, assign more time — you’d be surprised how quickly people become little kids at weddings and have trouble all looking at the camera at the same time…with both eyes opened ;)

Auntie Jenny understood the assignment 🤣 and now we have these beautiful, fun memories of what a riot Auntie Jenny is. People like Auntie Jenny are my kind of people — joking around, don’t take themselves too seriously, and rebel against “cheesy” photographs.

Aunt Jenny - The Barn at Sadie Belle Farm Wedding.

Working with a crowd of people requires quick thinking and finding a common language that everyone understands and finds funny. Having acting and improv experience and not being afraid of making a fool of myself to create genuine emotions, I am afraid I will have to tell you a few awful dad jokes that I will make even worse because of my inability to tell a joke properly. You’ll learn about happy salads and your kids won’t believe about the Wild Lego People that are hiding nearby — those two methods never seem to fail and amaze me and the clients every time I bring them up. If you’re intrigued and want to hear more about my “method photography” 🤣, reach out!

Have a designated “cat-herder”who knows your people well and will be able to keep them nearby for photos, start with a larger grouping and have your designated person announce the next groupings. Having a person to keep everyone nearby will make the process easier and faster, so that you can get back to partying in no time!

Choosing location for portraits and elopements

Now that you have sorted out the people who will be there in your bridal portraits, it is time to choose the location. Talk to your wedding photographer in Nova Scotia about the location if you’re getting married in one place and want to have your photos taken elsewhere — they have vast knowledge about the places that are scenic and perfect for wedding photography.

Have a Plan B in place in case you need a backup indoor location in case of rain. You might need an indoor space that is special to you, so calling there well in advance to inquire if they would allow a quick spouses portrait session in their establishment will help remove the stress come rain-on-your-outdoor-wedding-day.

For example, did you know that Halifax Citadel offers some of their spaces for all sorts of events? I had to reach out to them last year when I was looking for a plan B for one of my couples and was told there were some spaces available for rent for just 1-2 hours!

Choose the location well in advance so that you can book your transportation accordingly to travel to the location within your wedding photography timeline safely.  Try to stay as close to the venue as possible, to save time on transportation.

Light over background/surroundings is a motto I heard somewhere and I concur — I can work with a tiny patch of grass to create stunning images, and if we hit the jackpot with a picturesque sunset, your wedding photography is guaranteed to make heads turn…or will make your friends and loved ones keep coming back to your instagram account. 

I think the golden light - one hour before sunset - is called that not only because the golden appears golden, but it’s also the most dramatic, quickly changing light and during that hour the possibilities for artistic engagement or wedding photography are endless. (Taken at Fossil Farms Oceanside Retreat)

Elopement and wedding portraits at Crystal Crescent Beach during the golden hour.

The Barn at Sadie Belle Farm Wedding - bridal portraits during the golden hour.

First Look Photography

First look photos are very popular these days. Sometimes first look time is the only time the about-to-marry couple will spend together on the big day — I always make sure to carve out at least 15 minutes in your day to give you that priceless time alone together, and I literally stand guard to prevent others from interfering. 

If you’re thinking about doing the first-look, talk to your wedding photographer in Nova Scotia — they’re brimming with ideas. Besides alone time with your spouse-to-be, it also provides you additional time to get some of the bridal portraits before your wedding, if you choose to do so. Whatever might be your decision, make sure to find time for this at the beginning of the day. 

First look photographs don’t have to happen with your spouse — many brides are choosing their bridesmaids or parents to show off their outfit before walking down the aisle. Whoever you choose, the reactions are always priceless and are some of the highlights of my day as a photographer. 

How long the wedding portraits may take?

Discussing your wedding timeline with your wedding photographer in Nova Scotia at your pre-wedding consultation is basically a given. Understanding the time it may take for different wedding portraits throughout the day will help you weave your wedding photography throughout the day seamlessly, making your planning process and they day of easier. 

To get the best results photographers suggest that time taken for portraits with your party can take about 30 minutes. Again, portraits with your family will take another 30 minutes and then portraits with the bride and groom should take around 30 minutes to 1 hour — not necessarly all at once!

I like to split the couple’s portrait session into a few mini sessions throughout the day — if you have a photographer for the full 8 or 10 hours, having portraits done takes 15 minutes and then I steal my couple again for an evening session, if we’re lucky to witness golden light, which makes the day and the photographs simply magical. Breaking down the session into a few shorter session is also a good excuse for the couple to take a break from the crowd - I usually check in with my couples and see if they need that break and if they feel like it, take a few more photos.

I hope this article gave you an idea of things to consider when planning your wedding photography. If you need help with creating your own timeline, reach out and let’s talk about your wedding!

I’ll leave you with this oldie, but Goldie by Ylvis. Enjoy!

Happy Planning!

Author Information:

This article is written by Anka Goold Photography. Anka Goold is a renowned wedding photographer in Nova Scotia known for her passion for photography. To get to know her a bit better, while getting wedding planning tips, check out her instagram page https://www.instagram.com/ankagooldphotography/