We all know that for many brides, endless hours go into preparing for the big day. While there is so much fun involved in the journey, tears, stress, meltdowns are not uncommon in the wedding planning process.
The big day arrives, a million details are swirling around and the pressure is on as the ceremony nears. The click of the shutter is heard as the photographer tests out the lighting. For some brides, they come alive in front of the camera so this may not be overwhelming. But for many, this is the last thing they feel comfortable doing (don't get me started on the grooms!).
We've asked professional wedding photographer and comedic family wrangler Amanda Summers how on earth she is able to capture moments like this in the midst of a whirlwind day and how future brides can prepare for their moment in the spotlight.
1. By the time a bride gets to wedding day, she's likely running on empty yet you've captured a million breathtaking shots of peaceful, joy-filled brides like the ones in these photos. How do you do it? Full transparency- photos don’t always show the actual chaos of the moment. However, keeping in mind the way the bride wants to remember her day is crucial. Being able to remove distractions can make a huge difference. I am good at reading people so I like to take time and check in on my brides, make sure they’re feeling okay and have what they need. When the bride feels confident and special- naturally or because I’ve helped make her feel that way- you can see those emotions show up in the photos. The goal is to feel those same positive emotions again in the future.
2. Photographers have to move fast on wedding day. You have a bride who is visibly uncomfortable being the center of attention and photoshoots are not "her thing.” What do you do? That’s me so I understand this on a personal level! Part of my job as a photographer is to be the hype woman. An engagement session will help alleviate a lot of the nerves and allows brides to get to know me and feel more comfortable with the camera. She is not expected to naturally know what to do during a session so I try to be aware of cues that the bride is uncomfortable. I want her to feel like everything she is doing is exactly what I asked, even if it wasn’t what I had in mind- that’s part of the confidence building. I like to joke around a lot, which facilitates a less stressful experience. All in all, my energy needs to balance my bride’s energy. If I act stressed over a delayed timeline, she will feel that and it will show in the photos!
3. When brides are interviewing photographers, what are some questions they should ask to determine if they are the right fit? First and foremost, look at the photographer’s work and ask to see a full wedding gallery which reveals the flow of the day, typical shots captured and overall style. Ask them about their shooting technique, whether it's documentary, candid, posed or a mixture. It’s also important to ask whether they have insurance, what their file backup process entails and what would happen in case of an unforeseen circumstance where they cannot be there on your wedding day. It’s helpful to know an estimate of how many photos you will receive, how they will be delivered to you and the turnaround time after your wedding. Every photographer has a different process, but knowing what to expect and when is helpful in managing your own expectations.
"When the bride feels confident and special- naturally or because I’ve helped make her feel that way- you can see those emotions show up in the photos. The goal is to feel those same positive emotions again in the future."
4. A bride is on a budget but wedding photography is important to them. Any suggestions on how to navigate this? Prioritize your budget with photography. A lot of people are working with modest budgets, just don’t skimp on what matters most to you. There are other areas you can cut back on to make it work, like, for example, wedding favors. In my opinion, that is the first thing that can go. Guests don’t need a personalized koozie, perfectly packaged s’mores or sunglasses matching your wedding colors. That’s not to say those things aren’t awesome if you have room in your budget but guests will not wonder where their favor is; they’ll be eating, drinking, dancing and having a good time. Make sure you share your photos with family, friends and guests, making the investment even more worth it.
5. Your photos look like they are out of a fairytale. The lighting, the glow, the whole bridal ensemble just feels magical. Can you share a little professional insight on how you bring this magic to life? I think a lot goes into this! If you, the bride, feel comfortable and confident it helps tenfold. Choose a dress that you love, have your hair and make up done professionally, even for a more natural look, and oops, I’m saying it again- trust your photographer. A lot of clients initially pick locations for pictures without knowing how lighting impacts the overall look. I will choose a location with good, glowy light over a specific backdrop. Sometimes it’s best to stay in a certain spot and not move all around the venue, depending on the light.
Amanda loves getting to see her couples through many milestones in their lives and the fact that she gets invited back year after year to see where life has taken them, makes her so happy! She cares about her clients and is invested in their lives, beyond just photo shoot days.
If you feel she may be a good fit, reach out and start the conversation! AmandaSummersPhoto.com
