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Tips and Tricks for the flawless wedding photos | Wedding Day Photo Hacks


Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks


As your photographer, my goal is to capture the beauty, joy, and love of your day in a way that feels authentic and timeless. But did you know there are a few simple things you can do to help ensure your photos turn out absolutely perfect? I’m here to share some tried-and-true tips that will make all the difference when it comes to capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments.




1. Get a Hotel Room

We know that picking the perfect location to get ready on the wedding day can seem like a daunting task. Many of our brides always ask us what they can do to ensure beautiful photos on the morning of the wedding...The getting ready suite is a big one! You will be spending a significant portion of the wedding day getting primped and taking pre-wedding portraits. The space should be not only beautiful, but have plenty of room for you, your ladies, stylists, and me! If you would like photos of the guys getting ready, have them stay at the same hotel on a different floor! If you're looking for Indianapolis hotels for your wedding day, check out some of our favorites HERE.



Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks

2. The window effect

Having a window in the bridal prep area allows for portraits with soft and flattering light.

3. Plan a little extra time for bridal portraits

. Getting into the dress should be a relaxed (not rushed) experience. Planning a few extra minutes for bridal portraits in the hotel is a great way to capture those moments of anticipation and excitement before the wedding. Amazing photos take time to create.


Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks

Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks

4. Have your bridesmaids & Mother of the bride get dressed FIRST!

Make sure the mother of the bride and bridesmaids are dressed and photo ready BEFORE you get into the dress. That way they are looking their best in the photos of you slipping into the dress.


Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks

Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks

5. First look with Dad

I have to admit that Daddy/Daughter first looks make me a little teary. These are precious moments to photograph and I highly encourage any daddy’s girl to make time in their timeline for this moment.

***If you're having mom help you into your dress you can plan a reveal with your leading ladies as well!**


Indianapolis wedding photography

6. The first kiss

Sometimes kissing in front of a crowd can be intimidating and jitters cause a "peck" kiss. To get beautiful first kiss photos, we suggest a three second smooch. (at least)



Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks


7. Kiss at the end of the aisle

You are HUSBAND AND WIFE!! YAY! Now take your time walking down the aisle and take it all in. I love it when couples share a kiss at the end of the aisle with their guests in the background. A little confetti or petal toss never hurts either! ;)

Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks

8. Be realistic with your timeline

This is probably the most important tip to ensure you get amazing wedding day photos. We complete the photo timelines for all of our couples, but being realistic about what can fit into a timeframe can save you lots of stress and disappointment on the wedding day. Just about everything will take longer than you think and planning for extra buffer times throughout the day will help make sure when things are running behind, we aren't cutting out precious photo time. Amazing photos take time, and our couple's prioritize plenty of photo time for those show stopping images. Trust me when I say, after shooting over 1,000 weddings: We have wedding timelines down to a science. Packing more things in and going against recomendations will only cause issues and stress on your special day.

9. Do a first look

A first look will allow us to get a majority (if not all) of the photos done before the ceremony even begins. You will be fresh out of hair and makeup, looking your best, and be able to spend time together and have a more relaxed day with PLENTY of time for epic wedding photos, sips of champagne, and stolen moments to enjoy the day together. -Check out our post on the pro's and con's of doing a first look

If you have your heart set on going the traditional route, that's ok too! Just plan to complete as many photos as possible prior to the ceremony and do an extended cocktail hour (1.5 hours).



Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks



Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks


10. Stay together!

It's tempting to divide and conquer at the reception. We suggest staying with your partner and mingling together. This makes for sweet and romantic candids.



Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks

Indianapolis wedding photos


11. Open the dance floor with a bang

Do you want your dance floor to be packed early?! We have TWO different ways to start the party off with a bang. Have the wedding party open the dance floor. (along with the two of you) No one wants to be the first person out on the floor. Having a plan for a fun song and the whole bridal party to kick off dancing is a fun way to get people out of their seats.

Another way: have the DJ announce a big group photo on the dance floor, once everyone is up we can do a fun cheering shot and then have the DJ drop the beat! Make sure the two of you stay on the dance floor for the first few songs. This allows us to get some photos of the two of you dancing, along with encouraging the guests to get out of their seats.


Indianapolis wedding photographer


Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks

Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks


Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks


12. Don't Skip Sunset photos

These are ALWAYS my favorite portraits of the entire day. There's just something about a romantic golden glow that makes me swoon. Sunset portraits only take a few minutes, but have a big impact!



Sunset wedding photos Indianapolis


Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks

Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks


Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks



For more tips, tricks, and wedding day hacks...Check out our wedding planning section of the blog! Thanks for following along with us!


Indianapolis Wedding Photography Tips and Tricks



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