A day in the life of a wedding photographer
Ever wondered what a wedding day looks like for a wedding photographer? From prepping for the day to uploading the photos, get a behind-the-scenes peek into the process and what to expect (from me) on your wedding day.
Ever wondered what it's like to be a wedding photographer? From prepping for the big day to delivering the final gallery (weeks later, of course), there’s a lot that goes into making sure everything runs smoothly. As someone who’s been in the industry for years, I’ve learned that each wedding day is unique, but the process remains fairly consistent. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at what a typical wedding day looks like for me (and what you can expect if you’re working with me!).
1. Prepping for the day
I’m a mom to a baby and a toddler, so wedding days start the same way all my days do – bright and early! I wake up with the kids anytime from 5am to 7am and enjoy some low-key playtime and coffee. I like to start wedding days with a solid breakfast, as I'll be on my feet all day!
Next on the agenda is a gear check. Often I’ll do this the day before, but I always do another quick check the morning of to ensure my cameras and lenses are packed, memory cards are formatted and ready to go, and batteries are fully charged. I also pack extra memory cards, my camera harness (for wielding two cameras) and any other essentials like extra batteries, my flash, and appropriate clothing!
If I’m not shooting the wedding myself and have an associate photographer covering it, I’ll double-check the final details, like the timeline and shot list, and do a final check in with my associate.
2. Capturing getting ready moments
I always leave at least a 30-minute time buffer when leaving for weddings. I plug the “getting ready” location into my GPS, and set out! When I arrive, I make my way to the getting-ready spaces where the couple is preparing. I love chatting casually with the bride and groom and shooting candid moments during this time—whether it’s the bride laughing with her bridesmaids or a parent helping the groom with his cufflinks, these moments always set the tone for the rest of the day.
Getting ready shots tend to be intimate and relaxed, which is the perfect way to ease into the day. As I work, I also take note of the lighting conditions to make sure everything looks soft and flattering.
3. Arriving at the venue
Typically, the getting ready portion of the day happens somewhere separate from the venue, so my next order of business is to go for a little drive between locations! When I arrive at the venue, I usually start by capturing the front of the venue itself—its details, the surrounding environment, and any décor that I see on my way in.
If the timeline allows, this is when I like to capture the ceremony and reception space. It’s nice to do it before guests arrive as it allows me the space and freedom to photograph the entire space, untouched.
4. The first look and couples portraits
All wedding days look a bit different, but this is typically when the first look takes place! I head to the designated spot (often alongside the groom) and capture him while he waits for his soon-to-be spouse to arrive! Sometimes I’ll reposition him slightly based on the position of the sun, background clutter, etc.
The big moment unfolds, and I capture it from as many different angles as I can! Then we wander around the venue and capture some photos of the bride and groom together – one of my favourite parts of every wedding day. This is when I get creative and capture as many beautiful, timeless images of the couple as we can squeeze into the allotted time. I focus on capturing both posed and candid moments here—while I may suggest a few poses, I prefer to let the couple interact naturally, which brings out the most genuine emotions.
5. The ceremony
The short window of time leading up to the ceremony is when I like to capture guest interactions and that incredible feeling of “anticipation”. When the ceremony is about to start, I get into position. I always take some time to scope out where I can stand to get the best angles. I try to keep my movement to a minimum during this time, as I want to be as unobtrusive as possible. I focus on capturing those meaningful moments: the exchange of vows, the first kiss, and those little glances that speak volumes.
6. Portraits and family photos
After the ceremony, it’s typically time for family photos! This time is usually a bit more structured. I coordinate with the couple to make sure we get all the essential group shots while keeping things moving smoothly.
Cocktail hour generally follows and is another great opportunity to capture guest interactions – this time with the bride and groom present! I typically shoot a lot of details during this time as well – cocktail menus and closeups of loved ones faces as they greet the newlyweds.
7. The reception and candid moments
As the reception kicks off, the energy shifts. This is when I get to capture the fun and excitement—the first dance, speeches, guests laughing and mingling. I move around the room, taking candid shots as people let loose and have fun. The energy and joy are contagious during this part of the day, and some of the best, most unposed photos come from it!
8. Wrapping up the day
As the dance floor opens and the energy starts to shift again into “party mode”, I start to think about wrapping up! Before I leave, I make sure I have enough clear shots of the couple and all their favourite people on the dance floor – it’s always such a fun time and makes for some funny captures!
Once I’ve got what I need, it’s time to pack up my gear and head home. But my work isn’t over yet!
9. Uploading the shots
Back home, while I’m always ready to have a snack and fall into bed, I try my best to stay up for as long as it takes to upload all the photos. It gives me peace of mind (and helps me sleep soundly) knowing that they’re safely backed up on my hard drive.
And that’s a wrap on a typical wedding day! I’m so honoured to be in this line of work and always come home on a “high” with countless stories to share with my husband. I consider myself very lucky!
10. The editing and gallery delivery
In the following days, I begin the process of sorting through the thousands of images I’ve captured. This part of the process can take hours, as I carefully review every photo before slotting it into the “final” folder to ensure it’s up to my high standards. From there, I choose between 20-50 sneak peeks to send the couple. I edit each image to match my signature style—natural, warm, and timeless—and clean them up until they’re just right. After editing, I upload the sneak peek gallery, which I make available to the couple in a private online gallery.
11. Delivering the final product
The final product is always worth the time and effort. I love delivering a gallery that tells the story of the couple’s day and offers them a way to relive those special moments. It’s always so rewarding to hear how much they love the photos and how much they cherish the memories we’ve captured!
While it varies based on my workload and how large the final gallery is, I’ll typically send it out 6-8 weeks after the wedding day. One of my favourite parts of the whole process is hearing from clients after they’ve had a chance to look through their gallery – it’s so rewarding knowing that everything I poured into it was one thousand perfect worth it!
Planning a wedding in Ontario and thinking about booking your wedding photographer? Get in touch to learn more about my process and how I can capture your day in a way that feels authentic and timeless!