How to Make the Most of Your Wedding Photography Investment
- Shawn Eastman
- Feb 21
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 5
Your wedding photos are more than just pictures; they’re the tangible memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime. Given the investment involved in professional wedding photography, it makes sense to maximise its value. Whether you’re getting married in Cardiff, South Wales, or anywhere else, there are key ways to ensure you get the best results from your photographer. From pre-wedding preparation to the final album, this guide will help you make the most of your wedding photography investment.
Table of Contents
Choose the Right Photographer for You
One of the biggest factors in getting the best wedding photos is choosing a photographer whose style, approach, and personality align with you. Every photographer has a unique way of capturing a wedding - some specialise in natural, documentary-style storytelling, while others lean towards classic, posed portraits.
Tips for Finding the Right Photographer:
Look at full wedding galleries, not just Instagram highlights.
Meet or have a consultation to ensure you get along.
Read reviews and first-hand testimonials to gauge reliability and professionalism.
Consider their experience in shooting weddings at your chosen venue.
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Cardiff, be sure to ask if they’re familiar with your venue and its best photo locations!
Plan Ahead for Perfect Photos
Great wedding photography starts long before the big day. A little planning can make all the difference when it comes to getting the shots you truly want - there are plenty of places online for you to garner inspiration for your big day, such as Pinterest wedding ideas or wedding style examples on Junebug Weddings.
What You Can Do:
Create a Shot List - While experienced photographers know what to capture, it’s helpful to let them know if you have specific requests (e.g., a particular family group or sentimental details like heirloom jewellery).
Schedule Enough Time for Key Moments - Give your photographer enough time to capture bridal prep, couple portraits, and family formals without feeling rushed.
Consider a Pre-Wedding or Engagement Shoot - Scheduling a pre-wedding engagement shoot not only helps you get comfortable in front of the camera but also builds rapport with your photographer.
Tip: Group photos can quickly eat into available time (typically between the ceremony and reception), often taking an average of 3 or 4 minutes per photo - that could mean 15-20 minutes to get through just five group photos! With this in mind, put a realistic shot list together of important group photos that can are doable within the time available.
Trust Your Photographer
Once you've hired a professional, trust them to do what they do best. The best wedding photos happen when couples are relaxed and allow their photographer to work creatively without being micromanaged - although your ideas and input are still always very welcome!
It's important to remember that your wedding photographer has likely been in the position of capturing countless weddings, meaning they've encountered just about everything you can imagine could take place during such an important day - the great stuff as well as the bad!
Ways to Let Your Photographer Work Their Magic:
Be open to their ideas for locations, poses, and lighting - though do always feel free to chime in!
Embrace candid moments - they often make the most meaningful photos.
Avoid giving them an overwhelming shot list; trust their experience to capture all the essential moments organically.
Prepare for Different Lighting Conditions
Weddings happen in all sorts of lighting conditions, from bright outdoor ceremonies to dimly lit receptions. This means the working environment of a wedding can change drastically very quickly from a photographer's point of view - sometimes within a split second.
A skilled wedding photographer will know how to handle various lighting situations, but you can help by considering:
Golden Hour Portraits - The best natural light happens just before sunset, so try to schedule time for couple photos during this period.
Indoor Lighting - If your venue is dark, candles and fairy lights create a romantic atmosphere but may affect photography - check with your photographer for solutions.
Weather Plans - Cardiff and South Wales can be unpredictable, so have a backup plan for rain, whether it’s a beautiful indoor setting or embracing a few fun umbrella shots!
Make the Most of Your Wedding Album
Your wedding photography investment doesn’t need to end when you receive your images. How you use and preserve them is just as important. From stunning coffee table wedding albums to fine art prints or canvasses of your favourite shots placed around the house, there's plenty of ways to enjoy and appreciate key moments from your wedding on the daily - basically, don't leave all your wedding photos as files on a hard drive gathering e-dust!
Ways to Get the Most Value from Your Photos:
Invest in a high-quality wedding album rather than just keeping digital files.
Print your favourite shots for wall art, thank-you cards, or keepsake gifts.
Share and relive your special day by creating slideshows or video montages.
Back up your photos in multiple places (external hard drives, cloud storage, etc.).
Wedding photography is one of the most significant investments you’ll make for your big day, so ensuring you get the best experience and value is essential. By planning ahead, trusting your photographer, and making use of your images after the wedding, you’ll have timeless memories to cherish forever.
If you’re searching for a Cardiff wedding photographer who can capture your day beautifully, get in touch - I’d love to help tell your love story!
FAQs About Making the Most of Your Wedding Photography Investment
Why is wedding photography so expensive?
Wedding photography is more than just turning up and taking pictures. You’re investing in expertise, high-end camera gear, hours of editing, and the ability to capture moments that can never be recreated. A professional wedding photographer also has backup equipment, insurance, and years of experience in managing lighting, composition, and unpredictable wedding moments.
Learn More: Why Are Wedding Photographers So Expensive?
How much should I budget for wedding photography?
A good rule of thumb is to allocate around 10-15% of your total wedding budget to photography. Prices vary depending on location, experience, and package inclusions. If you want high-quality, timeless images, it’s worth investing in a skilled professional.
How far in advance should I book my wedding photographer?
Ideally, you should book your photographer 12-18 months before your wedding, especially if you’re getting married in peak wedding season (spring/summer). The best photographers get booked up quickly, so secure yours early to avoid disappointment!
How can I ensure my wedding photos turn out amazing?
Communication is key! Discuss your vision, must-have shots, and any preferences with your photographer. Also, ensure your timeline allows for natural light portraits, and don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep - fresh faces make for the best photos!
Should we have an engagement shoot?
Absolutely! Engagement shoots are a fantastic way to get comfortable in front of the camera before the big day. It also helps build rapport with your photographer, so you feel more relaxed when it comes to your wedding photos.
What should I ask my wedding photographer before booking?
Ask about their experience, style, backup plans, editing process, and what’s included in their wedding photography packages. It’s also a great idea to see full wedding galleries - not just highlight reels - to get a sense of consistency in their work.
Learn More: Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer Before Booking
Do I need a second photographer?
Having a second photographer is by no means a requirement as most weddings are covered by a single wedding photographer. However, a second shooter covering your wedding can ensure more angles, more moments captured, and extra coverage such as both partners getting ready. If you’re having a large wedding or a desire for very extensive coverage of the day, it’s certainly worth considering.
How long should we allocate for wedding photography on the day?
Aim for at least 45-60 minutes for couple portraits, 30-45 minutes for group shots, and plenty of time for candid moments. Work with your photographer to create a timeline that allows for stress-free, natural photography.
Should we have a wedding shot list?
A general shot list for group photos is helpful, but avoid over-scripting every moment. Trust your photographer to capture the magic naturally while making sure they know of any must-have shots or special family traditions.
What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
A great photographer is always prepared! They’ll know how to make the most of indoor locations, use creative lighting techniques, and even embrace the rain for stunning, dramatic shots. Plus, clear umbrellas can look super romantic!
Learn More: How Wedding Photographers Handle Rainy Days
How can we look natural in our wedding photos?
The best way to look natural is to focus on each other rather than the camera. Laugh, talk, and enjoy the moment. Your photographer will guide you with gentle prompts rather than stiff poses to capture real emotion.
How long will it take to get our wedding photos back?
Most photographers deliver the final images within 6-12 weeks, depending on their workload and editing process. Be patient - it’s worth the wait for beautifully edited, timeless photos!
Can we request edits or retouching?
Most photographers include standard editing (lighting, colour correction, etc.), but heavy retouching may come at an extra cost. If you have specific requests, discuss them in advance to set clear expectations.
Should we provide a meal for our photographer?
Yes! If your photographer is covering the full day (8+ hours), they’ll appreciate a hot meal - or at least appreciate the offer (I personally tend to take a big cooler bag of my own food but I'm always thankful of the offer). A well-fed photographer is a happy and energised one, ready to capture all the important evening moments.
How many wedding photos will we receive?
It varies by photographer and package, but typically you’ll receive 400-800 fully edited images for a full-day wedding. Quality always trumps quantity, so focus on the moments captured rather than a specific number.
What’s the best time of day for wedding photos?
Golden hour (the hour before sunset) provides the most flattering light for dreamy, romantic photos. If your timeline and the weather forecast allows, plan some couple portraits around this time for the best results.
What should we do if we don’t like posing?
No worries! A skilled photographer will direct you naturally rather than forcing stiff poses. The best photos come from genuine interactions - just be yourselves, and let your photographer work their magic.
Can we give our photographer a list of Pinterest ideas?
Pinterest is great for inspiration, but be realistic - every wedding and location is different. It’s best to trust your photographer’s expertise while sharing a few key ideas that resonate with your vision. Though don't take that as me saying I'd rather you had less input because that's so not the case - I greatly welcome and value my couple's vision and ideas as it helps us work towards achieving the type of images you're looking to capture.
What’s the biggest wedding photography mistake couples make?
Not allowing enough time for photos (typically the couple photos after group photos have greatly over-run) and rushing through the day! A well-planned timeline, open communication with your photographer, and a relaxed mindset will result in the best wedding photography experience.
