"Have you worked at our venue before?" - How important is it for your wedding photographer to have worked at your venue before?
So, you've just said "yes" to forever with your best friend, and now it's time to plan the wedding of your dreams. Amidst the flurry of decisions, one question that might pop up is whether your chosen photographer needs to have previously shot at your wedding venue. As a wedding photographer with over 10 years experience behind me, I'm here to tell you all you need to know.
Picture this: You've fallen head over heels for a photographer's portfolio. Their images speak volumes, capturing the story and emotions of the day in every image. But wait.. they haven't shot at your venue before. Panic mode sets in—are they the right fit?
Don't panic, because the truth is: it really doesn't matter if your photographer hasn't set foot in your chosen venue before, and let me tell you why.
First things first, let's talk about lighting. Lighting is the single most important factor that can make or break an image. Now, unless your wedding is happening on a movie set, chances are the lighting conditions on your big day will be as unpredictable as your Uncle Bob's dance moves. And that's where a true pro shines (pun intended).
Every wedding day is completely unique. The weather, the time of day, the season—they all play a role in shaping the lighting. So even if your photographer has shot a hundred weddings at your venue, they'll still need to adapt to the ever-changing light on your particular day with your particular set of conditions to capture every moment in the best possible light.
The next thing to consider is, would you want your wedding to be a carbon copy of someone else's? Of course not! Your love story deserves to be told in its own way, with its own quirks and those quirks are unique to you. Your photographer is there to capture those moments, those little nuances that make your day yours. If they've shot at your venue before they may go into autopilot and select locations where they have captured previous brides and grooms; if it is their first time at a venue then you can be sure that they are selecting the perfect locations unique to your wedding day.
This being said, I can totally understand your worries. Familiarity breeds comfort. It's nice to know that your photographer knows all the best nooks and crannies for those epic shots. The truth however is that true professional photographers thrive on challenges. They're artists, turning any setting into a canvas for their art.
Besides, in today's digital age, research is just a click away. Your photographer can scout your venue online, pore over images, study layouts, and visualise the perfect shots way before the big day arrives. Most photographers will arrive to a venue that they've not shot at before early on your wedding day to have a walk around and hunt down the best spots for photos using the lighting and environmental conditions available to them on the day too.
And if you're still feeling a bit jittery, why not schedule a venue visit with your photographer? It's a great way to chat about your plans for the day, explore the venue together and find some beautiful locations, build that all-important rapport and get excited for your big day together! You could even turn it into a pre wedding shoot to help you get used to being in front of the camera and come away with some beautiful images of you both during your engaged era!
The bottom line is this: while familiarity with your venue can be a bonus, it's absolutely not the be-all and end-all. It's not really about the venue at the end of the day, it's about connection. Your photographer is not just there to snap pics. They're there to capture the story of your wedding day, to immortalise the emotions, to freeze-frame the stolen glances and belly laughs that make your heart skip a beat. It's not about posing in front of a fountain or smiling under a gazebo. It's about feeling comfortable, relaxed, and oh-so-you. Because let's face it, the best photos are the ones where you forget the camera's even there.
So book the photographer whose work speaks to your heart. The photographer who gets you, who makes you laugh, and who feels like an old friend from the moment you meet. Trust in their skill, their creativity, and their ability to capture the story of your wedding day, regardless of the venue. Because at the end of the day, it's not about the venue or the lighting. It's about the love—the real, messy, beautiful love that shines through in every image.
Your wedding day is going to be pure magic. And with the right photographer by your side, every moment will be a beautiful.
Still looking for your perfect wedding photographer?
Drop me a message, tell me about your wedding plans and I will send you a copy of my wedding brochure full of helpful advice for planning your big day.
