50 Things Wedding Photographers Don’t Do

Wedding Couples Should Avoid the Same Mistakes

Here are 50 Things Wedding Photographers Typically Don’t Do That Couples Misunderstood.

Wedding Photographers Don’t:

1. Plan the Entire Wedding: Absolutely, it’s a common misunderstanding that wedding photographers are responsible for planning the entire wedding. Wedding photographers capture the moments and emotions of your special day. They primarily focus on creating beautiful images to preserve those memories. It’s important to note that photographers are not responsible for planning the logistics, timeline, or execution of the entire wedding.

2. Serve as a Wedding Planner: Wedding photographers can offer some guidance. They aren’t wedding planners. They do not handle all the coordination. While photographers and wedding planners have distinct roles, their collaboration can be highly beneficial. Some photographers offer suggestions for optimizing the photography experience within the framework created by wedding planners. For example, photographers will suggest the best lighting conditions for specific moments. They also work with planners to make sure key events are timed perfectly for optimal photography.

3. Double Up as Videographers: Capturing the magic of your special day involves more than one skill. There’s often a common misconception that wedding photographers can effortlessly switch roles to become videographers. Photography and Videography are two distinct art forms. They need different skill sets and equipment. Many photographers do acquire Videography skills. So, switching between photography and Videography during a wedding can lead to missed moments. It can also result in subpar outcomes. You will also be charged for extra manpower.

4. Control Weather: Many couples assume that wedding photographers can predict and control the weather for their wedding shoot. They often start to blame the photographer for images with a dull or gray sky. Wedding photographers are not meteorologists and can’t accurately predict or control weather conditions. Experienced photographers often encourage couples to have backup plans in case of adverse weather. This mean having an indoor location for photos or even umbrellas and props that can work in different weather conditions.

5. Set Up Props and Decor: Wedding photographers don’t typically arrange decor or props for the shoot. You need a stylist for this. Misunderstandings can indeed arise when couples expect photographers to setup and decor services. It’s important to clarify that photographers focus on capturing moments. They use their lens rather than arranging physical elements of the shooting site.

6. Photoshop Every Photo: Extensive Photoshop editing for every photo isn’t practical. The focus is on capturing genuine moments. One such misunderstanding revolves around the notion that wedding photographers Photoshop every single photo taken during a wedding. In reality, this is far from the truth. Photoshopping every single image is a time-consuming process that can extend the delivery time of your final photos significantly. Besides, this particular service are usually charged at $80 – $150 per image.

7. Return Every Raw Photo: Wedding photographers select the best shots to edit. Many couples assume they will get every raw photo when hiring a photographer. This is not the standard practice in professional photography. In fact, photographers choose the best shots from the shoot. Then, they edit them to meet their artistic and professional standards. The final edited images are a reflection of their skill, creativity, and vision.

8. Guarantee Perfection in All Shots: Wedding photographers strive to create stunning and memorable images. It’s essential to understand that achieving perfection in every frame is not always possible. Wedding photographer aims to capture genuine, emotional moments rather than staged perfection. Candid shots that show your true emotions and interactions often hold more significance than meticulously posed images.

9. Stop Natural Moments: Candid moments are authentic. Wedding photographers don’t intervene constantly to stage shots. Professional wedding photographers capture both candid and posed moments. They enhance the authenticity and beauty of your special day. Photographers are skilled observers who can discreetly watch and anticipate candid moments, ready to capture them without interfering.

10. Be Invasive: Photographers respect your space and privacy. They capture moments without becoming intrusive and are skilled at capturing candid moments without interrupting your genuine interactions. So its better to discuss your comfort level with the wedding photographer before the event. They’ll respect your boundaries.

11. Guarantee Exact Replication: Wedding photographers do not guarantee exact replications of specific photos, especially those found on social media. While wedding photographers strive to capture your vision and preferences, replicating every detail of a particular image isn’t always possible. Various factors, like lighting conditions, location differences, and the uniqueness of each couple, affect this. Besides, some wedding photographers find this an indirect insult.

12. Extend Unlimited Hours: Wedding photographers work within the contracted hours and will not be staying late. The concept of “unlimited hours” implies that the photographer is available throughout your entire wedding day. They can capture moments from the early preparations to the late-night festivities. It’s crucial to grasp that even with unlimited hours. There are practical limitations that wedding photographers and couples should acknowledge.

13. Predict Unplanned Delays: Wedding photographers can’t foresee every potential delay. Weddings involve a myriad of vendors, each with their own responsibilities and schedules. Wedding photographers, while essential, are just one piece of this puzzle. Unplanned delays can arise from various sources beyond a photographer’s control. Although they are skilled at adapting to changing situations, but predicting every possible delay is impossible.

14. Offer Unlimited Group Photos: When couples plan their wedding, they often envision capturing every special moment. This includes group photos with family and friends. Wedding photographers strive to accommodate these requests. Offering unlimited group photos requires some clarification. Weddings are busy events with a tight schedule. Capturing group photos can eat into the limited time available for other important aspects like couple portraits and candid moments.

15. Return Hard Copies Instead of Digital Copies : In today’s digital age, convenience is paramount. Digital copies can be easily shared with family and friends around the world via email, social media, or cloud storage. This rapid distribution ensures that your loved ones can relive the moments even if they couldn’t attend the wedding. Producing physical hard copies involves printing, materials, and delivery costs. Digital copies are more cost-effective.

16. Capture Every Moments in Multiple Places: People often view wedding photographers as magicians. They capture fleeting moments of joy, love, and celebration. There’s a common misconception that photographers should be in multiple places to capture every single moment of a wedding. Photographers are humans. They have a finite ability to be in one place at a time. They mostly stick with the wedding couple. No matter how skilled they are, they do not defy the laws of time and space.

17. Return Unedited Photos: Raw, unedited photos are incomplete works. Wedding photographers develop a signature style that sets their work apart from others. This style is often shaped by their creative vision. Their artistic preferences also play a role. Additionally, the technical choices they make during the editing process are important.

18. Capture Every Guest: Professional wedding photographers are skilled in identifying and capturing the most meaningful moments of the wedding. These do not involve every guest individually but will encompass the essence of the day. They usually capture moments involving key family members, friends, and the couple themselves. These are the relationships that matter most.

19. Keep All Photos Indefinitely: Raw and edited photos can take up a significant amount of digital storage space. As wedding photographers work on multiple projects over time, it becomes impractical to store all photos from every wedding indefinitely. Wedding photographers evolve and refine their skills. They prefer to showcase their best work. They do not keep every photo taken over their career. Make sure to download all the photos once you have them. Don’t be surprised if your photographer discards all the photos a few months after your wedding.

20. Guarantee a Perfect Shot List: Couples often think wedding photographers must give a shot list. They believe this is guaranteed during a wedding shoot. This misunderstanding arises from the assumption that wedding photographers can recreate every desired shot exactly as envisioned by the couple. For a successful photography experience, balance your expectations with the reality of capturing genuine moments. Be open to your photographer’s suggestions and ideas, as they have the experience to adapt creatively to various situations.

21. Control Unruly Guests: Wedding photographers capture the magic of your wedding day. They play a pivotal role in immortalizing precious moments. There’s a common misconception that wedding photographers should control unruly guests. Photographers are often unfamiliar faces to your guests. Attempting to control them will not be well-received and can lead to awkward interactions.

22. Reimburse for Unrelated Expenses: Wedding photographers are hired primarily for their skills in capturing photographs and documenting your wedding. Their fees typically cover services like photography, editing, and sometimes the creation of albums or prints. Some couples mistakenly assume that wedding photographers should reimburse them for unrelated expenses. These costs can include entrance tickets, props, and transportation.

23. Duplicate Another Photographer’s Style: Each photographer has a unique style. Don’t expect them to replicate another work. Choosing a photographer for your wedding is a crucial decision. You want to capture the essence of your special day. Price will also influence your choice. Wedding photographers take pride in their originality and creativity. It’s essential to respect their intellectual property and artistic integrity. Replicating someone else style compromises their ability to express their individuality through their craft.

24. Edit in Every Style: There’s a common misconception that wedding photographers should edit in every style requested by their clients. It’s natural for couples to want their photos to align with their vision. Asking photographers to edit in multiple styles can lead to various challenges. It can also compromise the quality of their work. Wedding photographers thrive when they have creative freedom to express their unique artistic perspective. Limiting them to multiple editing styles can stifle their creativity and hinder them from producing their best work.

25. Having Secondary Photographer to Capture More Photos: Misconceptions exist about needing a secondary photographer in wedding photography. People have misconceptions about whether a secondary photographer is truly needed. These misconceptions also concern the role of a secondary photographer. While some couples view a second photographer as a must-have, others will question its relevance. While having a second photographer can potentially result in more photos, it’s the quality of the shots that truly matters. A skilled primary photographer can capture a comprehensive range of moments. A second photographer adds value by capturing alternate angles and perspectives. There are times where it defeats the purpose with overlap or missing important shots.

26. Predict Family Hierarchy: Wedding photographers are skilled at capturing beautiful moments. Predicting and managing family dynamics is a responsibility that goes beyond their skills. Especially during Chinese’s Tea Ceremony, photographers are often meeting your family members for the first time on your wedding day. They don’t know the nuances of family dynamics, hierarchies, or relationships that exist.

27. Edit Photos to Make You Look Slimmer: Many people think that wedding photographers should edit photos. They believe the edits should make them look slimmer. This belief applies mainly to pre-wedding shoots. This is a misconception that warrants clarification. Editing can enhance the overall quality of an image. Altering appearances to make someone look slimmer conflicts with the principles of authenticity, self-acceptance, and positive body image. Photographers take pride in their skillful photography techniques. The emphasis is on capturing well-composed shots rather than relying on excessive post-production.

28. Work Without Breaks: Wedding photographers need breaks. Don’t expect them to shoot continuously for hours. Maintaining a high level of concentration to capture every significant moment. As the day progresses, mental fatigue can set in, affecting their ability to make creative decisions and capture candid shots. Breaks help them reset their focus and bring a fresh perspective to their work.

29. Capture Every Detail: Wedding photographers captured moments over details. Consider hiring a separate detail photographer. Couples understandably want to remember every element of their special day. Capturing every detail will not align with the artistry and storytelling that professional wedding photographers bring to their work. Remember, details like centerpieces, flowers, and decor are essential components of a wedding. They are secondary to the meaningful moments that unfold.

30. Give More Discounted Rate: The starting investment in a wedding photographer is high. It’s essential to understand that their services go beyond simply taking pictures. The process doesn’t end after the wedding. Skilled wedding photographers invest hours in post-production, carefully editing and retouching images to enhance their quality and visual impact. Photographers invest in top-notch camera gear, lenses, lighting, and editing software for highest quality images. These tools allow them to capture every detail, even in challenging lighting conditions.

31. Agree on Multiple Meetup Face to Face Whenever Requested: Many people wrongly believe that wedding photographers should always meet couples. They think photographers should meet them whenever asked. This misconception can be challenging to navigate for both photographers and couples. Photographers often have a busy schedule, juggling multiple shoots, editing work, and client meetings. Multiple meetup with every couple can be time-consuming. In-person meetings can be valuable. Keeping open communication through digital channels like Zoom is just as effective and efficient.

32. Process Photos Right After the Event: Wedding photographers often balance multiple shoots and clients. Immediate processing can disrupt their workflow, affecting the quality of their work overall. It’s natural for couples to hope for their cherished wedding photos to be processed right after the event. Quality photo editing is a meticulous process that requires time and attention to detail. Rushing through editing will compromise the final quality of the images. Besides, wedding photographers capture hundreds, sometimes thousands, of images during a wedding. Sorting through these images and selecting the best ones takes time.

33. Replicate Celebrity Photos Exactly: Many couples find inspiration in the glamorous celebrity photos they see. This happens primarily in the era of social media and the internet. These images captivate them. Many couples envision replicating these stunning shots for their own weddings. It’s important to recognize that the world of celebrity photography is quite distinct from the reality of a wedding day. Celebrities often have extensive resources at their disposal, including entire teams of stylists, makeup artists, lighting technicians, and post-production experts. These resources contribute significantly to the polished appearance of celebrity photos. Wedding Photographers Often Work Alone or with a Smaller Team. They strive to create beautiful images, but the resources they have are different.

34. Manage All Unexpected Changes: When planning a wedding, couples often place a significant amount of responsibility on their chosen wedding photographers to manage unexpected changes that will arise during the event. While wedding photographers are skilled professionals who excel at capturing moments, it’s important to clarify that expecting them to manage all unexpected changes is a common misconception. Couples should consider hiring experienced professionals, including wedding planners and coordinators, who are well-versed in handling unexpected changes.

35. Confirm The Job Without Deposit: By placing a deposit, couples demonstrate their commitment to hiring the photographer for their wedding. It helps secure the photographer’s time and resources for that specific date. Wedding photographers often have a limited number of dates available, especially during peak wedding seasons. A deposit ensures that the photographer won’t book another event on the same date, leaving the couple without a photographer and that creates a sense of trust between the photographer and the couple.

36. Include Montage For Free: Creating a photo montage involves additional time and skill beyond the scope of photography. It requires selecting and editing images, arranging them in a cohesive sequence, adding music or other elements, and possibly even video editing skills. As such, providing a photo montage for free would mean the photographer is dedicating time to a separate service without compensation. Charging separately for additional services, such as a photo montage, allows for pricing transparency. Couples can understand the breakdown of costs and make informed decisions based on their preferences and budget.

37. Always Listen to Client’s Preferences: Wedding photographers often have a particular style that is reflected in their portfolio. If a client’s desired style is significantly different from the photographer’s usual approach, it might be challenging for the photographer to deliver the best results. For instance, a wedding photographer known for capturing candid, documentary-style shots might struggle to produce formal, posed images if it’s not their forte. Just as any artist has a unique style, photographers also have their own artistic integrity too, so if a wedding photographer who feels restricted might not be able to capture the genuine emotion and moments of the day.

38. Stay Updated on Every Trend: Not every trend suits every couple’s style. Trust your photographer’s artistic judgment. While trends can offer inspiration, every wedding photographers has it’s own authentic style, relying solely on trends might result in work that lacks uniqueness.

39. Take Charge of Group Photo Sequence: The responsibility of arranging the group photo sequence at a wedding is typically shared between the couple and the photographer, but the primary responsibility often falls on the photographer. Photographers might not know all the guests who attended the wedding but couples do, they can help identify key family members, friends, and VIPs who should be included in the group photos.

40. Guarantee Immediate Response: While it’s important for a wedding photographer to be responsive and attentive to their clients, the expectation of immediate availability can be unrealistic and potentially unfair. Clients should understand that wedding photographers need time to assess their availability, review the inquiry, and provide accurate information. A responsible wedding photographer will likely set expectations about response times in their initial communications. During peak wedding season, photographers might be juggling multiple events, editing, and other administrative tasks, which can further delay their responses.

41. Work Without a Breakdown: Wedding photography is a demanding profession that requires long hours of shooting, often in challenging environments and conditions. Wedding photographers may need to stand, crouch, or move around for extended periods, carrying heavy equipment. This physical strain can lead to exhaustion, discomfort, and even potential health issues.

42. Predict Vendor Cooperation: Couples might expect wedding photographers to accurately predict how all vendors will cooperate and perform on the wedding day. However, vendors are independent entities with their own schedules and responsibilities. While experienced wedding photographers might have insights into how different vendors typically work, they can’t guarantee the exact level of cooperation or coordination.

43. Handle All Post-Production Requests: Extensive post-production requests might incur additional fees. Because the post-production process can be time-consuming, especially for weddings, which involve a large number of images. Editing each image to achieve a consistent and aesthetically pleasing look takes time and effort. This time investment is a key factor in determining the photographer’s pricing.

44. Provide Photos Before Payment: Wedding photographers should provide photos before receiving payment is not accurate in most professional contexts. Wedding photography is a service-based business, and like any other professional service, there are established norms and practices. Photographers invest time, effort, and skill in capturing and editing photos. Providing images upfront without payment could potentially lead to their work being used without compensation. While clients want to ensure they’ll receive quality photos, wedding photographers also need assurance that they’ll be compensated for their work.

45. Cut Production Queue: While photo editing is an essential part of the wedding photography process, it’s not accurate to say that wedding photographers should prioritize editing over other aspects of their work. Photographers often prioritize edits based on factors such as when the event took place or the order in which clients were booked. Jumping the queue might not be fair to other clients who have been waiting their turn.

46. Always Help Guest to Take Photos with Their Phones: While some wedding photographers might be open to helping guests take photos with their mobile phones, it’s not their main role or responsibility. If a photographer were to assist guests with their mobile phones, it could distract them from capturing essential shots and potentially compromise the quality of their work.

47. Agree to Overtime without Prior Discussion: Wedding photographers are professionals providing a service, and their time and expertise are valuable. While it’s not always an obligation for wedding photographers to agree to overtime without prior discussion or compensation, some wedding photographers might choose to be flexible based on the situation. However, this should not be expected or assumed. Clear communication and understanding between both parties are key. If overtime coverage is required and the photographer agrees, there may be additional charges associated with this extended coverage.

48. Deliver a Specific Number of Photos: While it’s natural for couples to want a certain quantity of photos to capture all the moments from their special day, focusing solely on a predetermined number of photos can lead to misunderstandings and unrealistic expectations. The most important aspect of wedding photography is the quality of the photos, not the quantity. A skilled photographer will focus on capturing meaningful, candid, and beautifully composed shots that truly reflect the emotions and atmosphere of the wedding.

49. Match Every Requested Pose: One common misconception about wedding photography is that there’s a one-size-fits-all approach to posing couples. In reality, every couple is unique, with their own personalities, comfort levels, and dynamics. What works for one couple might not work for another. Couples come in all shapes and sizes, certain poses might highlight or flatter some couples’ physical attributes while not doing the same for others. A pose that works well for a tall couple might not look as good for a shorter one,

50. Work Beyond Their Expertise: Some special requests might not fall within the photographer’s area of expertise.