YOUR 2025
PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE
Everything you need to know to optimize your wedding day & photos!
I want to support you in having the wedding of your dreams and with this resource I’ve got you covered. These juicy tips are all based on my experience over the last decade photographing hundreds of weddings. I hope this guide helps you optimize our time together so that you can ultimately be more present, celebrate the shit out of marrying the love of your life all while getting photos that you’re going to be obsessed with for decades to come.
My approach for getting candid photos
For most of the day I take a hands-off, fly on the wall approach. I may ask you to shift where you’re standing for better lighting/composition to make your photos better but for the most part, I’ll capture moments as they naturally unfold.
When I photograph portraits - either of the two of you or any sort of group photos (i.e. family, bridal party etc) - I do provide direction so you don’t have to worry about posing or where to place your hands. My intention with directing you is to make sure all of the photos look as candid as possible, even though I’ll be giving you prompts. This is to ensure we get a wide range of emotions and different parts of your dynamic captured - the goofy, silly, romantic, etc - all the different parts that define your relationship. If we’ve scheduled or already photographed your engagement session together - you’ll know exactly how I direct and use prompts in order to get a lot of movement and natural moments captured.
Getting ready tips
KEEP THINGS CLEAN: The less clutter where you’re getting ready, the better your photos will look. Hide unnecessary items from sight such as luggages, garment bags, plastic bottles, phone chargers and remotes. I recommend assigning this task to a friend on the day of.
BIG WINDOWS BABY: Get ready in a space that has as much natural light as possible. Big windows are ideal. Are you getting any make up or hair done? If so, sit right next to a window.
WANT ANY DETAIL PHOTOS? PLACE THEM ASIDE FOR ME: i.e. photos of your invitations, shoes, jewellery, bouquet, etc. I discuss more about this in the details and decor section below.
MAKEUP AMOUNT: If you typically don't wear makeup don’t feel obligated to pack it on. You want to recognize yourself in the photos. Trust me, listen to your instincts. If you don’t recognize yourself and don’t feel good, don’t go for it. Bottom line: You'll look great if you feel great!
EAT PROPERLY BEFORE: Once you're done getting ready, you may not eat anything until dinner!
PREP AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR YOUR WEDDING: Scissors, mini sewing kit, a razor, deodorant, kleenex, Q-tips, Tylenol, Advil, Gravol, tampons, bobby pins, Tide-to-go, nail file. Consider bringing snacks/granola bars, water bottles, bug spray, comfortable shoes/flip flops and gum too,
Why you should have a first look
The first look is when the couple sees each other for the first time before the ceremony. Not all couples choose to do this but I'm a big fan and here's why:
1. A MOMENT OF INTIMACY: There are many romantic moments on your wedding day, but most of them will be with your loved ones around. This is a great way for you two to be alone, catch your breath, be present with one another and remind each other that YOU'VE GOT THIS!
2. TIMELINE EFFICIENCY: If you see each other before the ceremony, you can get all of your wedding party and family photos done before your ceremony. Once you get married you won’t have to worry about crossing so many things off a list so you can go straight to celebrating.
3. MORE PHOTO VARIETY: If you split your portrait session so it’s done throughout the day such as your first look and sneaking away for a little bit during sunset, you’ll get more variety in your photos and more opportunities to step away and catch your breath. You’ll be able to be more present and process the day while getting an amazing variety in your photos without having it feel like you’re in a photoshoot for a long period of time.
When to schedule your
couple’s portraits
45 minutes to an hour of portraits split up throughout the day is what most couples do. Some want more, some want less. The more time you allot, the more photos you get!
I suggest dividing time for couple portraits into 2-3 blocks:
1. YOUR FIRST LOOK (ideal)
15 - 30 minutes
2. AFTER YOUR CEREMONY (extra)
15 minutes
3. RIGHT AT SUNSET (ideal)
15 - 30 minutes (or more if possible!)
If you're tight on time, I highly recommend choosing the first and third options. Sunset is the perfect time to take advantage of the best lighting. Schedule it during dinner or between speeches and we'll be able to sneak away easily.
Optimizing your group photos
I believe in the importance of photos where you, your fam and your besties are smiling and looking at the camera. It can be formal or informal and we can do as many as you’d like. I work quickly while making sure that everyone looks great so you can all go back to enjoying the celebrations. Keep in mind that the more time spent on formal group photos means there’s less time to capture candid moments happening elsewhere.
BUDGET ENOUGH TIME:
Most fam photos take around 30 minutes.
For a short list, set aside 15 minutes.
For a huge list, set aside 45 minutes - 1 hour
Remember, all weddings are different and the amount of time you need may vary. I recommend setting aside 15 minutes to gather people & 2 minutes for every single group you want photographed.
ASSIGN A HELPER: Ask someone who knows your loved ones to assist me during group photos. It'll be a smoother and faster process someone who recognizes everyone helps round them up for photos.
ONE LOCATION IS BEST: I typically choose the best location myself on the day of. I stick to one location only - this creates image consistency and makes the process for you easier.
TRICK YOUR FAMILY: There’s ALWAYS one person who is late so tell your fam that family photos start 15 minutes before we actually start. This minimizes the risk of having your schedule be pushed back.
FORMAL VS. INFORMAL: How your group photos look is totally up to you. They can be stiff and very formal, or super laid back, sweet or goofy. It really depends on your personalities + relationship dynamics + what you want.
HOW TO WRITE YOUR LIST: Start with elderly and babies so they can leave first. After that go in an efficient order so people who are in photos don’t have to go in and out all of the time. Start with one person’s family, finish those, start with your partner’s.
For bigger groups, consider that it’s easier to gather people by saying something like “all of the the Smiths!” as opposed to “Martha, Lydia, Ben, Thomas, Jerry, Martin” etc etc.
SAMPLE LIST:
F = FRED (GROOM 1) AND GEORGE (GROOM 2)
F with Parents (together and individually)
F&G with F's parents
F with F's immediate family
F&G with F's immediate family
F with F's siblings
F&G with F's siblings
F with F's grandparents
F&G with F's grandparents
F&G with F's aunts & uncles
F&G with F's cousins
F&G with F's best friends
G with G's parents (together and individually)
F&G with G's parents
G with G's immediate family
F&G with G's immediate family‘
G with G's siblings
F&G with G's siblings
G with G's grandparents
F&G with G's grandparents
F&G with G's aunts and uncles
F&G with G's cousins
F&G with G's best friends
Your ceremony
outdoor ceremonies
SCHEDULE FOR SUNSET: schedule your outdoor ceremony right before sunset, when the sun isn’t directly above you. The lighting will be perfect and your guests will thank you for not having to sweat profusely during the mid-day heat!
TAKE THE SUN INTO CONSIDERATION: where the sun is in relation to the two of you is extremely important. Make sure that you’re both standing in the same lighting condition. If you’re in the sun, your partner should also be in the sun and not in the shade. Harsh, uneven light or spotty sunlight is NOT ideal. If you're getting married outside in the middle of the day, make sure that the sun will be BEHIND you. In other words, if I’m facing you and photographing your ceremony, you’ll be in between me and the sun. I’ll be photographing directly into the sun basically. This is very important! Not only will the photos look better, but you won't be squinting.
SHADE IS IDEAL: the best lighting situation is for you both to be completely in the shade. That way you’re not sweating, squinting and the lighting will be perfect.
walking down the aisle
WALK SLOWLY: Take it all in - there’s no need to run to the alter.
HAVE RESTING BITCH FACE? Great - I do too haha. Remember to smile when you're walking down the aisle (seriously though.. I’m saying this based off experience LOL).
BOUQUETS: If you’re holding a bouquet, keep it at hip level below so your face isn't covered.
your first kiss
DON’T RUSH IT: If you’re hoping for an epic first kiss photo, make sure you kiss for 2-3 seconds or kiss a few times. I can’t guarantee a first kiss photo if you kiss for 0.000002 seconds.
KISS AGAIN DURING YOUR RECESSIONAL: as you’re walking together away from the ceremony, stop in the middle of the aisle and kiss one more time. These photos are super popular with my couples because it captures the heightened emotion and context of what’s happening, with all of your loved ones behind you cheering you on.
unplugged ceremonies
WHAT IT IS: Unplugged ceremonies are when guests are asked to put their digital gadgets away. This way your guests are present and are able to take in your ceremony with their eyes! Shocking - I know.
WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER HAVING AN UNPLUGGED CEREMONY: Having cell phones, iPads, and cameras in the background of all of your ceremony photos is NOT cute. Trust me - it’ll look like such an ugly distraction in your professional photos. It also takes away from the sacredness of what's happening - everyone you love should be 100% present and not experiencing your ceremony through looking at a screen.
HOW TO DO IT: If you want to have an unplugged ceremony, ask your officiant to make a clear announcement right before the ceremony starts. Have a visible sign that says "Unplugged Ceremony" or both. You can also let your guests know that they'll be able to view your professional photos in the online gallery once it's ready. Check out my Pinterest board for sign inspo here.
IF YOU WANT YOUR GUESTS TO TAKE PHOTOS: I encourage you to ask them to remain seated during the entire ceremony, rather than standing in the aisle to take their own photos and obstructing crucial views for taking photos. This will help reduce the risk of anyone blocking pivotal moments that need to be documented of your ceremony.
Reception
ADD ME TO YOUR GUEST LIST: as opposed to listing me as a vendor. I can’t stress this enough. This way, I’ll eat at the same time as everyone else and in the same place so I’m not missing any important moments. Many venues enforce dumb rules. Avoid it all by adding me as a guest.
ADD AS MUCH AMBIENT LIGHT AS YOU CAN: Candles, string lights or bulb lights are incredible additions to your reception decor. More always equals better. The more ambient light you have, the more likely you’ll end up having photos that capture the romantic moodiness of your evening.
DON’T BLOCK THE HEAD TABLE: avoid placing huge centerpieces, big bouquets or anything else large in front of where you and your partner are sitting. This way, I’ll be able to take candid photos of you two at the table without anything obstructing the view.
Detail & decor photos
Photos of your dress hanging, jewelry, your bouquet, a flatlay of your invitations are all examples of detail photos. Decor photos are detail photos of your ceremony and reception spaces. These are all essentially photos of products that you’re paying for.
My natural priority is to focus on people and emotions, more so then products. However, I think detail shots can add value, especially if they’re intentionally selected and you’re investing a lot of energy and money into the visual aesthetic of your day.
By no means are these types of photos required - it’s completely up to you. Please make sure to notify me of your preferences in the wedding form that I’ve asked you to fill out.
MORNING
is when I capture any requested detail photos i.e. your dress hanging, your rings, photos of your invitations, your bouquet, anything that’s meaningful to you.
Set aside any items that you want photographed in one spot to ensure we don’t forget to capture them.
I’ll need about 10-15 minutes to photograph requested detail photos.
CEREMONY + RECEPTION
For a standard amount of decor photos, I need about 10 minutes to photograph ceremony spaces and about 15 minutes to photograph reception spaces.
If ceremony decor photos are important to you, please include in your schedule 10 minutes for me to do so anytime after setup is complete and before guests start arriving.
If reception decor photos are important to you, I’ll sneak away during cocktail hour to ensure I photograph details before guests enter the space.
MAGAZINE SUBMISSIONS
If you’re planning on submitting your wedding to a magazine, the likelihood of it being published increases when there are a lot of decor photos included. Please make sure to let me know in advance if you’re planning on submitting your wedding so we can ensure that there’s a solid amount of time allotted for photographing decor.
VIDEOGRAPHY
You chose me as your photographer because you want photos that are candid and look natural.
So if you’re hiring a videographer too, make sure you choose one who has a similar approach. If we have different styles, it may cause stress since you may be pulled into different directions throughout the day that you weren’t planning for.
Ask them what their process is like on a wedding day. Will they make you repeat moments during your wedding? Will they pose you throughout the day? Do they use a range of lenses in order to be as unobtrusive as possible? Will they be filming your ceremony right next to you and blocking guests views or do they have proper lenses to ensure that won’t happen?
Look for a videographer who describes their style as candid, documentary or photojournalistic.
I'm happy to refer you to videographers I love. I’ve worked with all of them before and have immensely enjoyed working alongside all of them. Their visual aesthetic and pricing all ranges, so take a look and see which ones you vibe best with!
https://aarondanielfilms.com
https://www.dimistudios.com
https://outsideinstudio.com
http://www.ripefulheart.com
http://www.bigticketproductions.com
https://wearerawmedia.com
https://www.lcvfilms.com
EXTRA TIPS
BRING CLEAR OR SOLID COLOURED UMBRELLAS: Photos taken on cloudy or rainy days turn out SO beautifully because there’s diffused lighting. If there’s a chance of rain, buy a bunch in advance for you and your wedding party. I recommend buying clear plastic umbrellas or solid coloured ones rather than anything with a pattern or print - they look more elegant in photos.
VENDOR RECOMMENDATIONS: If you need any recommendations, get in touch! I meet a lot of vendors and am happy to put you in touch with ones I love and work well together.
DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF: Do your best in planning but in my experience you won't be able to control everything. Remind yourself to enjoy your big day regardless of the small details that may not go according to plan. Like when your best man drunkenly tells your entire family about your hidden porn collection (true story). What's important is that you're about to get married and nothing beats that!
OK WE READ ALL OF THIS.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO BEFORE OUR WEDDING?
Here are a few things in terms of what to expect in our communication as well as what I ask to be done before your big day:
1. Fill out the wedding form - ideally 1 month before
2. Email me the rough copy of your wedding schedule + your formal group shot list - ideally 3-4 weeks before
3. Email me your finalized wedding schedule - ideally 1 week before
I’m here to help - get in touch with any questions you have, big or small!
info@liataharoni.com
