When it comes to wedding photography, timing is everything. As a professional photographer, knowing when to arrive at the venue and when to start taking photos can be the difference between a successful event and an unsuccessful one.
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So, when should a wedding photographer arrive at the venue? Normally, a wedding photographer should be present at least 45 minutes before the program begins. But some factors might influence when the photographer should arrive.
Nonetheless, as the client, it is very important to know when your photographer will arrive. This enables you to put everything in order and prepare ahead. So, in this piece of information, we will discuss when the photographer should arrive in detail and also examine some factors that might either accelerate or decelerate the arrival.
Now, the photographer should be on the ground early. At least 30-45 minutes before the day begins to unfold. As the couple, ask your wedding photographer to arrive early to prevent rushing on your special day. Apart from preventing a rush, it also helps the photographer set up the equipment and test them before all the wedding’s unscripted actions unfold. Covering a wedding event can be challenging, especially if it is happening indoors.
So, the photographer needs to arrive a few minutes earlier to be able to study the scene and know where to mount the tripod and the best camera settings to complement the lighting condition. As a photographer, I fancy arriving during the setup of the wedding venue. This will allow me to tell the planners and designers where to fix some props and light bulbs so that they will not disrupt the photos. It will also allow me to record the setup of the venue.
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However, the photographer’s arrival is entirely up to the couples and what they want. Some wedding couples prefer their wedding photographers to be around as early as possible on their special days, while a few others often ask their photographers to arrive an hour after the day has started. Some people want their wedding photographers to document everything, from the makeup sessions to the departure after the party. In contrast, some couples might prefer something else.
Regardless of your preference, the first hour is often the best time for the photographer to arrive. Typically, all wedding photographers begin clicking pictures the moment they get to the venue. So, the first hour is one of the best times for the photographer to arrive because, during this time, all of the couple’s family members, friends, and guests are still mingling and talking, making for some good photo interactions or clicks.
Furthermore, during the first hour, the photographer can take pre-wedding portraits of you and your spouse with all your relatives, friends, and co-workers while they are still smiling. Nonetheless, if you are not interested, you can tell the photographer to arrive at your preferred time. Perhaps a few minutes or hours into the reception. It all depends on you. But you need to know it’s important to have well-detailed and intricate wedding pictures.
In fact, I like to click photos of my client’s wedding cakes, rings, and dresses before they wear them. I also like to take a shot of the wedding halls before the arrival of the guests. These intricate pieces will make your wedding album more detailed and beautiful. So, I suggest you tell your wedding photographer to arrive before you put on your wedding dress and also before a vast majority of the guests turn up.
Finally, some of the factors below might either accelerate or decelerate the arrival of the photographer.
- The wedding location – if your wedding is taking place in a different town or city, the photographer might turn up a day earlier due to distance.
- The purchased wedding photography package – the photographer might arrive during the first hour or before the procession and exchange of vows, depending on the package.
- Your choice – It is your special day. So, you are to decide when the photographer should arrive depending on the kind of pictures you want to see after the event. Yet, I suggest you instruct the wedding photographer to arrive early and click photos of all the intricate moments.
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- In conclusion, the first hour is the best time for the wedding photographer to arrive. However, it will depend on you and the kind of photos you want the photographer to click. If you want intricate images of your special day, you can instruct the wedding photographer to arrive 15 minutes into the makeup session. But if you are not interested in having such images, you can tell the photographer to arrive just before the rite begins.