Finally you have everything booked for the wedding of the year. The countdown and last minute plans begin to take shape! Because your photographs will probably (aside from videography) be the only lasting way to really remember all the effort you've put into this magical day, we've come up with our five top tips to help you make the most of your photographer(and allow them to create the best images possible).

Allow more time!

If time is going to be a bit tight for wedding photography later on in the day (and with demands on your attention from family, relatives and friends it usually is!) why not start getting ready earlier? Then you can make plans to have photographs with your bridesmaids, parents and other important people in your life when you've just finished getting ready. You'll be looking absolutely perfect and if you've left extra time for this you'll also have a bit of time to calm your nerves before walking out the door! Your bridesmaids and parents will especially treasure these photos with you - the last hour as a single girl!

Plan your locations in advance!

Your photographer is going to have a lot to think about on the day. Make their life easier by thinking about potential good locations for your group shots in advance. Ideally you want a photographer who will be happy to come with you to see the venue(s) in advance so they can get their own ideas. If they don't offer - ask them! This is one of the most important days of your life - make sure your photographer is prepared!

Make time for photography

We know weddings are about celebrating your union with your closest friends and family, but remember that your photographs are your way of showing your future children or grandchildren what your wedding day was like. It makes sense to maximise the skills of your photographer and to try and get some really beautiful shots of the two of you. Shots like the ones you see in magazines though don't just 'happen' when you're not watching, they take time, effort and a willingness to work with your photographer. If you want photographs which also look like beautiful pieces of art then talk to your photographer about setting aside half an hour after the ceremony when you can do these. Our favourite wedding was a couple in Bristol who left their wedding party for half an hour and got a friend to collect their pet dog. We got some really special shots of them walking in the park with their dog which worked wonderfully to represent the start of their new life together as a family.

Be natural!

It might be the only time you ever have a camera pointed at you for an entire day, but try to act natural and forget the photographer is there. It's great if you can find a photographer who you really get along with, because they really do become a friend and can then blend into the crowd and get some really relaxed shots. It's especially important when taking photographs of the bride and groom that you focus on each other. Laugh, giggle, cuddle and kiss. Forget about the camera and let your love shine through! That's what makes great photographs, not stiff and awkward formal poses with no emotion!

Ask family what they would like!

While we don't recommend handing your photographer a huge list of group set ups (which will only stress everybody on the day when Auntie Elma can't be found), it's still great to get some feedback from your parents and other key family members on which photographs they would absolutely love. We've heard horror stories of parents being devastated when the prints come back and there isn't one of the bride with her Mum on their own for example. If this or other shots are particularly important to you or your family then let the photographer know in advance. There are so many variations of family shots it would usually take hours to do them all, so if you have a particular preference do let your photographer know - and well in advance of the day!

Author: Rosie Parsons

This article on wedding photography tips will help alleviate any concerns you may have as that big day approaches. The use of a digital camera offers an amateur photographer a great opportunity to achieve success in wedding photography. While it is always a good idea to leave your wedding photography to a trained professional, these wedding photography tips and other resources will make the best of your big day. How often is it when your friends and family surround you in celebration?

Below are some wedding photography tips to help ensure the pictures you receive are of the highest quality and the entire event is a success.

- Understand the quality of your camera and its flash. Reread the owner’s manual and do some online research. This will make you aware of any limitations your equipment has in different lighting situations.

- Another photography tip for your wedding is to be aware of your surroundings when you are taking the photos. More often than not, amateur photographers focus completely on the subject without taking a look at the negative space behind and around the subject. Is there a lot of clutter? Is there too much activity and distraction that will be included in your picture if you snap and shoot now? Try to find a place where your subjects have calm, unobtrusive backgrounds and your wedding photographs will be filled with success.

- Another wedding tip is to be aware of the glare from eyeglasses. The glare from eyeglasses can cause a big bright spot in your photo and make your subject unrecognizable. But remember that all that is needed is a simple adjustment to your subject’s pose. Instead of removing the glasses, he or she will simply need to move their head down and to the side until the glare has subsided.

- After all the pomp and circumstance of the wedding ceremony, the reception offers a great time to capture successful wedding photographs. Think about all the great things that happen once every one loosens up, the cutting of the wedding cake, the throwing of the wedding bouquet, and the little kids all dressed up and running around make for great moments to take pictures. Of all the wedding photography tips to help guarantee success, this is a key one.

These wedding photography tips will help you achieve success the next time you are called upon to capture that lucky couple’s special day.

Author: Groshan Fabiola

As someone who grew up as a Nantucket photographer, I've been asked numerous times for wedding photography tips, here are a few suggestions.

Create A List Of Shots.

Request or suggest to the couple to provide you with a list of shots they would like for their wedding. very helpful for family and group shots. Use An Assistant.

Shooting the family portraits can be frustrating when you have people missing and they are not organized. I recommend to bring an assistant (preferably female) to nominate a family member to gather everyone for the portraits. Stay Prepared.

Have a backup plan (in case of bad weather), have batteries charged, memory cards blank, think about routes and time to get to places and get an itinerary of the full day so you know what's happening next. If you can, attend the rehearsal of the ceremony where you'll gather a lot of great information about possible positions to shoot from, the lighting, the order of the ceremony etc.

Discuss Expectations.

With Your Bride. Show them your albums and samples of your work. Find out the style they want to achieve, how many pictures, key moments they want photographed, format of the shots ( digital, film), and more. Minimize Your Camera Noise.

Camera clicks and beeps during the vows and toasts can be distracting. Switch off sound before hand and keep it off.

Shoot With Two Cameras.

It's too easy for one camera to go down during a shoot leaving stranded with out anyways to finish your work and destroying your reputation. Buy, borrow, or rent an extra camera for the day and set it up with a different lens. I try to shoot with one wide angle lens for candid shots and tight spaces and one longer lens (it can be handy to have something as large as 200mm if you can get your hands on one - I use a 70-200mm).

Capture The Details.

Take pictures of the rings, details in the dress, eyes, lips, table settings, interior etc - these help give the end album an extra dimension. Pick up a wedding magazine at your local news stand for a little inspiration.

Having a second backup photographer can greatly facilitate the day and improve your coverage. Most importantly, it takes a little pressure off you being 'the one' to have to get every shot!

Don't Be Shy.

Being shy won't get you 'the shot'. Sometimes you need to step to the front of the line to capture a moment. However, timing is everything and planning ahead to get in the right spot for key moments are important so you don't disrupt the event. During the ceremony I try to move around at least 4-5 times but try to time this to coincide with songs, prayers or longer readings.