There are many aspects to being a wedding photographer in Paris. From client communication and booking to post-processing and delivery, effective workflow is essential.

A shot list may sound like a good idea, but it's likely your photographer will miss the real moments if they're constantly looking at it. Instead, give them creative freedom and trust them!

1. Location

Once you have narrowed down your list of photographers, ask about their experience with the venue you’re getting married at. If they’re not familiar with the venue, it will likely show in their work. Also, find out how long it takes for clients to receive photos – from a sneak-peek (some can deliver these within a day) to prints and albums.

When evaluating wedding photographers, it’s important to look at their website, blog, and Instagram to see how consistent their style is. If their images are light and airy or dark and moody, it’s an easy sign that they lack consistency.

When choosing a wedding photographer, it’s important to give them creative freedom and trust that they will capture the moments that are most meaningful to you. If they’re constantly referring to a checklist or pinterest photos, they might miss the real stuff. Also, it’s important to let them know if there are any special items or personal details you want to highlight.

2. Time

A wedding photographer typically shoots thousands of photos during your day, and spends a significant amount of time narrowing down the top selects. Providing a curated list of family groupings ahead of time helps them ensure they have the best chance to capture all your desired photos.

Photographers need to know the exact times of your event, as this impacts what time of day you can take your desired photos. For example, a first look or ceremony at sunset will look significantly different than mid-day sun.

Make sure to let your photographer know if there are any personal details that they need to be aware of, such as special jewelry or family heirlooms. Also, give them a list of the most important people (like VIPs and wedding party members) to ensure they don’t forget anyone. Lastly, be sure to discuss with your photographer whether they retain copyright of your digital photos or if you do. It is important to get this part of your contract figured out before the big day!

3. People

As a photographer, it’s important to take the time to really get to know your clients. Not only does it make their image-viewing experience better, but it helps you understand how best to document them.

During the initial phone call, a client should be able to tell you if they have a particular person in mind who may need some extra posing direction or if there are any awkward family circumstances they want to avoid. They should also be able to give you a list of key people they would like photographed and any heirlooms or other items they will be using on their big day.

Having the ability to give your photographer creative freedom without bringing a list of pinterest photos they must tick off, is one of the most important things you can do. It allows them to truly capture your unique day as it happens and not just to recreate an image from another wedding.

4. Lighting

An important aspect of wedding photography is knowing how to handle lighting. A photographer should be able to use natural light when possible, but they should also be prepared with off-camera flash for when it’s needed.

This way, they can use their camera’s autofocus to focus on the subject and then use an off-camera flash to light them from behind. This creates a soft, flattering light that’s perfect for wedding photos.

If they have to shoot with the sun directly overhead, they can try using a small portable softbox over their flash to help control the light. They can also increase or decrease the power of their off-camera flash in manual mode to get the right look and tone.

It’s a good idea for a bride or groom to give their photographer a list of names and photos of key attendees. This way, they’ll know who to take photos of and who to skip. It’s also helpful if they can let the photographer know of any awkward family circumstances, so they can be as tactful as possible.