As Bay Area wedding and events caterers, we’ve worked with plenty of wonderful California photographers who have taught us that capturing the magic of a wedding day takes more than just luck and coincidence.
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and every detail—from the dress to the decor—deserves to be preserved beautifully. Whether you're a bride planning your dream wedding, a wedding planner orchestrating the perfect day, or a photographer looking to elevate your craft, we have some great tips from wedding photographer Diana Rothery, who generously shares actionable tips on how you can make sure that you’ll have a wedding album full of unforgettable moments.
Prioritize what’s important
When it comes to wedding photography, Diana emphasizes that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. “I’ve learned to not go off of any standard shot list because it’s more limiting than inspiring,” she says. Instead, her priority is documenting the personal interactions of the day, including the candid moments that tell the couple’s unique story.
She also makes a point to capture every physical detail the couple and planner have worked hard on creating, including:
Decor and flowers: Table settings, centerpieces, and floral arrangements.
Personal effects: Rings, jewelry, and invitation suites (pro tip from Diana: ask the couple to bring an invitation on the day or send it to you later for photos).
Food and ambiance: As caterers, we think this can sometimes be an overlooked aspect of wedding photos. Planning your wedding menu takes so much time and thought, and it’s often one of the most memorable elements of a wedding for many guests. Why not give the food you serve at your wedding its moment in the spotlight—especially if you’ve hired farm-to-table fine dining caterers like Anaviv!
Weather and light: Having photos that reflect what the wedding day feels like in terms of weather is especially crucial for outdoor weddings, as they set the tone and mood of the day.
Take a moment to enjoy your celebration
One of Diana’s best pieces of advice for couples is to take a moment during the reception to step back and soak it all in. “I think most couples are going into this as the first wedding they've ever planned, and the tip I always give them in our meeting just before the wedding, is to take at least one moment during the night where they step away and just look at all of the people who are gathered for them, in one place. It'll almost certainly never happen again, and it's magical.”
Taking a step back to soak in all the love can also help your photographer capture a breathtaking, emotional photograph. However, Diana cautions against making it a staged moment and to trust your photographer to find all the authentic moments. “The photographer must be out of sight, and always observing.”
Keep family photos stress-free with the right preparation
Navigating the politics of formal family shots can be a source of stress for some photographers, but Diana actually loves family photos. She asks couples to provide a list of family members they want included in the photos before the wedding so that everyone can be told ahead of time where and when to gather.
During the shoot, Diana says, “I will take the director’s seat, place my couple, and walk the group through every traditional combination.” Diana will also leave room for other family members to make additional combination requests if the couple is open to the idea.
Honesty and frankness can lead to great family photos, so Diana advises couples to inform wedding photographers about any sensitive family dynamics ahead of time.
Give photographers access to key details ahead of time
Sometimes, the details of a wedding can become the warmest memories, so it’s important to make sure that you have plenty of photographs that capture all the little moments of a wedding, like the dress, rings, and décor.
When it comes to these details, Diane’s mantra is simple: “It’s all about the light!” She prefers to photograph the dress on the bride but will capture it hanging if the opportunity arises.
Just as importantly, incorporating personal touches to detail shots can add context and extra meaning. “I love photographing things like rings on top of, or next to something personal and directly related to the day, like a note one of them wrote to the other, or the invitation, or even a notepad from the beautiful hotel they’ve booked. Something to tie it all together.”
And if there’s a splash of warm sunlight? You can bet she’ll use it to create stunning, luminous images.
Trust the process
Most of the important decisions you make happen before the wedding, including choosing your photographer (and your caterer!), so once it’s time to celebrate your special occasion, believe in your choice and relax.
A good photographer like Diana knows that the key to capturing important moments is removing her ego from the equation. “My north star as a wedding photographer, is that this day isn’t about me, or my portfolio, or my career,” she says. “I am there in service to the couple who has trusted me with something profound. You build confidence from that repeated trust, you keep your heart and your eyes open all day, and you do your best to feel it the way your couple is feeling it. If you’re right for this job, important and beautiful photographs will come from that method.”
To see more of Diana Rothery’s luminous wedding photography, check out her website.
To see more of N and K’s wedding photos featured in this post, follow this link to Anaviv’s PartySlate gallery.
To see some sample wedding menus featuring farm-fresh, seasonal food, follow this link to our wedding page.