A Letter to Wedding Photographers
Let me start off with saying how much I deeply respect and admire the work of a wedding photographer. You are working the entire wedding day and are often acting as a coordinator and making sure the timeline stays on track. Every photo you take is like a work of art on its own. Not only are you working hours on the wedding day itself, but you are also working hours editing the photos after the wedding. I realize that live wedding painting is a newer trend, and not all photographers have shot many weddings with painters. So here is just my perspective on photographing live wedding painters.
Live Wedding Painting is both entertainment for the guests and a keepsake for the couple to commemorate their wedding day. The couple is often too busy on their wedding day to experience the painting coming to life, so it’s great for the photographer to capture photos of the painting throughout the day.
I realize that every photographer has their unique way of editing photographs, and I completely respect that! But when photographing a painting, it's easy to completely change or de-saturate the colors of the painting. If this is your editing style, I actually recommend not taking photos of the painting directly, and rather take photos of the painter working, or the couple’s or guest’s reactions to the painting.
As a painter, our backs are to the guests, and therefore you. I have no idea when I’m about to get my picture taken until I hear the shutter. Candid shots are great, but I also like to prepare myself for a photo – relax my super focus face, stand up straight, or take my phone out of the shot. So please give us a heads up before you take our photo! And feel free to give us some direction. I always continue painting until the photographer gives me a direction like to smile at the camera.
I try to always introduce myself to a photographer before the ceremony, especially when I’ll be taking reference photos during the ceremony or during family portraits. I’ll do my best to stay out of your way, but please let me know if I need to move or stay back! I can work with a reference photo with your head in it, you cannot work with a photo with my head in it.
Sometimes the timeline of the day doesn’t allow me to take my own reference photos. And in these cases I do rely on a photographer for help to capture a reference photo for me. This could be a video of the couple practicing their first dance or a cell phone photo of the couple in a simple pose. I am so thankful when photographers are willing to help me out in this way! I realize it’s not in your job description, but it helps me out so much!
Lastly, I always like to allow time at the end of the night for the photographer to take photos of the painting reveal with the couple. Of course the couple is welcome to come see the painting at any time during the night, but they are so busy that it is nice to pull them aside to see the finished painting. I am happy to make any accommodations during this time to get the best photo of the moment! I can move my entire easel a few feet to better lighting, bring the painting itself to another room, or dim the light on my easel - just give me the word! And feel free to tuck yourself behind the easel to get a photo of the couple’s faces. I’ll stand out of the way for a photo or two, then step in to speak with the couple. I used to try to video or take photos myself during this time, but I have found it’s better to be in the moment with the couple and let the photographer and videographer capture the moment.
And after the wedding, I often reach out to photographers to ask permission to post any photos from the wedding that I or the painting are in. I am so thankful for photographers who are generous with their photos and allow me to use them for social media or my website. You all rock!
Below is a shot list I came up with for photographing live wedding painters, but of course the photographer is the vision maker! If you are a wedding photographer, I would love to chat with you about your experience shooting weddings with live painters and hear any advice you have for us!
Live Wedding Painting Shot List:
View from the altar before the ceremony including the painter at a distance
The painter working, taken next to or in front of the painter (before ceremony)
*let them know you are there!
Ask painter to smile - taken next to or in front of the painter (before ceremony)
Detailed shot of paint going onto paper or paint brush on pallet
During the reception - The painter working, taken from behind the painter so that you can also see the painting - both close up and far away
The painting reveal:
Stand behind the easel to capture the moment the couple sees the painting
The painter with the couple (hugging, talking etc)
The painter posed with the couple (optional)
The painting seen between the couple’s heads from behind
The finished painting (only if your editing style allows for maintaining the true colors of the painting)
