October 6, 2024
After your ceremony and your declared husband and wife, family portraits are then taken and then usually your wedding photographer will do your “Location shoot”. A Location shoot usually lasts between 60 to 90 minutes and includes the bride, groom and bridal party. Below are some tips to remember when planning your location shoot with your photographer.
Before finalising your wedding location shoot plans, it’s crucial to check whether a permit is required for your chosen venue. Many parks, gardens, and public spaces have specific rules regarding photography, with some requiring permits and others prohibiting professional photography altogether. It might seem surprising—almost frustrating—but in today’s world, rules and regulations extend even to capturing memories on your special day.
To avoid any last-minute complications, research the requirements for your preferred locations well in advance, ideally a couple of months before your wedding. You can usually find this information online or by contacting the local council or governing authority responsible for the space. Permit fees can vary, typically ranging from $150 to $400, depending on the venue and the level of access required.
While obtaining and paying for permits is the responsibility of the couple, your wedding photographer is an invaluable resource. They often have experience with various venues and can guide you through the process or suggest alternative locations if needed. Planning ahead ensures a smooth experience on your wedding day and eliminates the risk of being turned away from a beautiful location due to overlooked paperwork.
By taking the time to secure any necessary permits, you’ll have peace of mind and the freedom to fully enjoy your photo session without any unexpected interruptions.
Since we’ll have already completed the family photographs earlier in the day, there’s no need for parents to accompany us during the location shoot. They’ll likely find themselves waiting in the limousine and may feel bored during this part of the schedule. Instead, they can use this time to relax and enjoy a quiet moment before the next part of the celebration.
It’s also worth considering whether you’d like to include children, such as your flower girl or page boy, in the location shoot. While children bring an undeniable charm and energy, their presence can sometimes slow down the process. They’ll also need supervision, especially if their parents are part of the bridal party and unable to give them their full attention. If you decide to keep the location shoot adults-only, rest assured that we’ll capture beautiful group photos with the children immediately following the ceremony. This ensures they’re included in the day’s memories without adding extra complexity to the location shoot.
By making these thoughtful decisions in advance, we can keep the shoot streamlined, efficient, and enjoyable for everyone involved, while still capturing the moments that matter most.
When planning your wedding day timeline, I generally recommend setting aside 60 to 90 minutes for your location shoot. This timeframe provides a comfortable balance, allowing ample opportunity for stunning photos without feeling rushed. It’s also a chance for your bridal party to relax, refresh, and enjoy themselves. Having a moment to grab a bite to eat or a drink can do wonders for keeping everyone energized and in high spirits, which naturally translates into more joyful and candid photos.
If you’ve chosen to include a wedding videographer as part of your day, it’s important to account for their needs as well. Photography and videography are both essential in capturing the essence of your wedding, but they often require slightly different setups, movements, and time to achieve the best results. To ensure both your photographer and videographer have the opportunity to work their magic without overlapping or feeling pressured, consider extending the allocated time.
By allowing for a well-paced, relaxed location shoot, you’ll not only create a stress-free experience for everyone involved but also give your creative team the space to capture your day beautifully. This thoughtful planning results in a harmonious blend of imagery and video that truly reflects the love and joy of your celebration.
This is pretty obvious, however when it comes to your wedding photography gallery some spots are better than others. For example; try to select a nice shady spot with a nice background. Believe it or not a blue ocean under a blue sky is not ideal for wedding photography. Instead try and choose a location that has an interesting background such as rock formations, lighthouses, mountains etc. It is also important to consider the lighting conditions. As a wedding photographer, I will automatically choose a location with better light (i.e. soft and shady over bright and sunny) and sacrifice the background if I have to. It won’t matter if you have the most beautiful location in the world, if the subjects are in poor lighting then it will make the entire photograph look amateurish. Also, try and work it so your location shoots starts a couple of hours before sunset so we get that beautiful golden light.
I know, right? It’s so much easier said than done! But here’s the thing—try to shift your focus away from how you look and instead concentrate on the connection with your partner. It’s perfectly normal to feel a little self-conscious in front of the camera, but remember, those feelings can sometimes show in the final photos. The good news is, you’re not alone in this! I’ll be right there to guide you, offering clear directions on how to pose and bring out your best angles so you look and feel amazing.
Relaxation is the secret ingredient to creating natural, radiant images that truly capture the essence of your day. Start by taking a few deep breaths, grounding yourself in the moment. Look into your partner’s eyes, share a laugh, or think about the excitement of your future together. When you focus on those heartfelt emotions, the camera will naturally capture the love and happiness you’re radiating.
Trust your photographer—we’re here to make sure you look incredible while keeping things fun and easy. Embrace the experience, be present, and don’t hold back from enjoying those genuine moments. A simple laugh, a quiet touch, or a shared smile can create the most stunning images. Relaxation allows your authentic self to shine, resulting in photos that aren’t just beautiful but also deeply meaningful, perfectly preserving the joy and love of your special day for years to come.
Managing multiple locations during wedding photos can quickly escalate into a logistical frenzy, turning what should be a joyful experience into a rushed, stressful endeavor. The ambitious goal of squeezing in three or four photo spots within a 90-minute window often results in a frantic race against the clock. Each transition—whether it’s navigating in and out of limos, corralling family members, or attending to the inevitable adjustments to the bride’s gown and veil—eats away at valuable time. These seemingly small tasks compound quickly, leaving little room for spontaneity or creativity.
Add to this the unpredictable nature of traffic, potential delays in coordinating a large bridal party, and the sheer challenge of moving groups efficiently, and the situation becomes even more chaotic. With every minute spent on logistics rather than capturing moments, the pressure mounts on everyone involved, detracting from the enjoyment of the day.
To avoid this high-stress scenario and create an environment conducive to capturing authentic, heartfelt photographs, it’s wise to limit photo shoots to just two thoughtfully chosen locations within the available time. This streamlined approach not only reduces the logistical burden but also allows everyone to be more present and at ease. A relaxed atmosphere fosters genuine interactions, from candid laughter to tender glances, which ultimately enhances the quality and emotional resonance of the images. By focusing on fewer locations, the photographer also gains the flexibility to explore creative angles and compositions, ensuring the final collection truly reflects the essence of the couple’s special day.
Try to have a good time. Enjoy the company of your bridal party and your husband or wife and don’t stress about the wedding photography. That’s what you pay your wedding photographer for. I always say, it is better to slow down, get a few really great wedding photos, rather than hundreds of mediocre ones.
If you have any questions about your location, be sure to seek information from your wedding photographer. They should be able to direct you in regards to location and timing. If you are looking for wedding photography in Brisbane or the Gold Coast then please visit our contact page
0423 722 286