Lighting, composition, equipment: all play a role in achieving beautiful photographs. But perhaps nothing is so important, said famed photojournalist Henri Cartier-Bresson, as knowing when and what to photograph to convey the significance and emotion of a fleeting moment. If you want to fully encapsulate and memorialize your big day, these are the images you don’t want your photographer to miss.

Charla Storey

“I always have my collection of styling boards with me for invitation suites and ask couples to have an extra set printed just for photos so that they are clean and flat. The details take some time, so I make sure that’s built into the timeline and everything is organized before I arrive so I can work as efficiently as possible.” – Jocelyn Filley

Mila Lowe

Getting Ready

Women getting hair/makeup done • men getting dressed • wedding party having fun • mother or bridesmaids helping bride with her dress • dad putting on groom’s boutonnière

Joe Mikos

Details

Invitation suites • signage and stationery • wedding dress hanging up • rings • dresses and suits • accessories, such as jewelry and shoes • bouquets • veil • corsages and boutonnières

Mila Lowe

“In regards to “the kiss,” I advise couples to keep it PG, don’t block your faces with your arms, and most important of all, count to three. That way your photographer can get a few photos of you with your lips together. I would be devastated if it was just a quick peck and I only got the shot before and after the kiss!” – Kelley DeBettencourt

Mila Lowe

Pre-Ceremony

First look between the couple • father seeing the bride for the first time • portraits with bride and bridesmaids/flower girls • portraits with groom and groomsmen/ring bearer

Jocelyn Filley

Ceremony

Groom and groomsmen lined up • arbor/chuppah and venue details • guests in attendance • bridal party entrance •  bride walking down the aisle • groom’s reaction • exchange of vows and rings • first kiss • recessional

Randi Baird

“Take group shots with family members. If nothing else, that might be the last time those people are together for however many years. It’s an underappreciated fact that, for most families, a wedding is the biggest collection of people in one place at one time. Find those groupings that are worth capturing.” – Tim Correira

Larisa Stinga

Portraits

Couple portraits • couple with wedding party • couple with both sets of parents • bride/groom with individual parents or sets of parents • couple with siblings, close family members, or children • unusual groupings such as college alumni

Elizabeth Cecil

Reception

Details such as cake, guest book, and remembrance table • room décor shots including table settings, place cards, favors, centerpieces • grand entrance • toasts and speeches • first dance • parent dances • cake cutting • mingling with guests • dancing • grand exit