A good wedding photographer is there to ensure that no moment gets missed in the hustle and bustle of your big day. But what happens if you don’t hire the right professional or you overlook some common elements essential for a quality wedding photo session?

Don’t worry too much. As long as you don’t make one of these seven wedding photography mistakes, you should be in the clear.

Hiring Someone Without Ample Experience

While it’s not always possible to find a photographer with a robust portfolio who’s available for your wedding day, it’s important to factor experience in when choosing a photographer.

It may sound appealing to go the uber-affordable route and hire a student or emerging photographer, but inexperience comes at a price. Without a strong background, your photographer may not be familiar with the intricacies of wedding photography, such as capturing the moments and when/where to take certain photos.

When in doubt, go with a photographer who’s been around the block a time or two. To get a solid idea if a photographer is right for you, browse their online portfolio and ask for references.

Only Getting One Photographer

Even if you’re throwing a relatively small-to-medium-sized wedding, there are so many moving parts that it’s almost impossible for one single photographer to capture it all. By hiring add-on photographers, more moments are easily captured and you’ll end the night with a peace of mind knowing that everything within reason was documented.

Forgetting About the Sun, Backgrounds, Scenery, etc.

When you’re in the moment, whether it’s just after the ceremony, or the split second you decide that “now’s the right time” to take an extended family photo, don’t overlook your surroundings. A good photographer will help to position each moment to avoid unsightly backgrounds and to arrange the ideal scenery for each shot.

Worrying About Posing

You’re bound to look beautiful on your wedding day, but you don’t have to pose like you’re on the red carpet all night. Some of the best pictures a photographer takes over the course of a wedding day are those natural candids. So stop worrying about perfecting your model stance and just have fun. Don’t worry, you’ll look amazing.

Having Multiple “Unofficial” Photographers

Remember, you’re hiring a professional photographer, so you don’t need all those good-intentioned unofficial photographers snapping during the big moments. To be honest, they sometimes get in the way of my perfect shot and that’s frustrating for everyone!

After all, that’s what we’re here for. Tell your sweet Uncle Henry and your dear Aunt Jackie to take it easy, relax, and leave the photography to your hired professionals.

Informing Guests of Photo Times

Wedding day schedules are a must-do for most brides, but many happy couples overlook the importance of a photography schedule. By setting a timeline for pictures and then letting the key players in on the schedule, you’ll guarantee that no one misses key picture times such as the “getting ready” photos, family portraits, and so on.

The last thing you want is for your great-grandmother to miss the family portrait.

Spending Too Long on Portraits Post-Ceremony

As a wedding photographer, it’s our job to ensure that we take all the picture you want to have and more. But sometimes, this comes at a cost—namely, time.

Many couples choose to take the majority of their formal portraits after the ceremony and this is great. However, you may start to feel a bit envious as you notice friends and family enjoying a cocktail and eating those delicious appetizers.

Another option is to take “first-look” pictures. These are taken BEFORE the wedding and they’re meant to capture those initial reactions when you and your spouse-to-be see each other in your wedding attire for the first time. Not only are first-look pictures always magical and emotion-inducing, they also free up some time for you during the “main event.”

By avoiding these common wedding photography mistakes, you almost guarantee you’re wedding photos will come out perfectly and truly represent your special day.