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For many couples, planning a wedding is a long process where (almost) every detail is carefully thought out. Since you can never have too much help, here are five photography tips from a photographer’s perspective that every bride should read for a picture-perfect wedding!
The light
It’s often overlooked, yet it plays a huge role in documenting your day. And for good reason: photography literally means “painting with light.” Because it’s so important, I’ve broken this advice down into three key points.
1. Not enough light
Outdoor ceremonies rarely lack natural light. However, many indoor venues come with challenging lighting conditions.
Some churches can be quite dark, which may require the use of a flash to ensure good image quality. When used properly, a flash can create a natural-looking effect that mimics daylight. However, some officiants forbid flash photography for cultural, spiritual or personal reasons. In those cases, I need to push my camera settings to their limits, which can result in visible grain in the images.
For this reason, it’s important to choose your ceremony location just as carefully as any other part of your wedding. If you love light and airy images, opt for a space with large windows and light-coloured walls. If you’re drawn to more dramatic and contrasted images, a venue with wood details and atmospheric lighting can be a beautiful fit, especially when paired with flash.
2. Too much light
On the other hand, too much light can also affect your photos. During the summer months, the sun is very strong, especially between 11AM and 3PM. That’s why most photographers prefer to schedule outdoor portraits outside of this time frame.
My favourite time of day is the “golden hour,” when the light becomes soft and warm. From May to October in Quebec, this usually happens between 6 PM and 8 PM, just before sunset. The closer your wedding date is to the summer solstice (June 20 or 21), the later this window will occur. You can calculate golden hour anywhere in the world using tools like SunCalc.net.
Of course, not every wedding timeline allows for portraits that late in the day. If that’s your case, don’t worry. It’s still absolutely possible to create beautiful outdoor images earlier. If the sky is clear, a simple and effective solution is to find open shade. This could be under trees, beside a building or under a balcony. It softens the light and helps you avoid squinting.
If the weather allows, I always recommend taking 10 to 15 minutes before sunset for a few final portraits. The change in light creates a completely different mood and it’s often a favourite moment for couples!
3. Coloured light
During the reception, some venues use coloured LED lighting. While it looks great in person, it doesn’t always photograph well. It can cast strong colour tones on your skin, clothes and surroundings, which are very difficult to correct in post-production.
In these situations, I often use flash to bring back a more neutral and natural light. To reduce the need for flash, one simple solution is to keep white lighting above the tables and use coloured lighting along the walls. This way, you keep the festive atmosphere while ensuring your photos reflect the moment beautifully.
The portrait location
I briefly touched on this earlier, but it deserves its own section. The location for your portraits, whether with your partner, your wedding party or your family, should be chosen thoughtfully and in advance.
You may have guessed it already, but I generally favour outdoor locations. Many indoor spaces can feel visually busy and often come with tricky lighting, which makes it harder to create beautiful images within a limited timeframe. Outdoors, the environment is more consistent and offers greater flexibility.
Ideally, the location should also be quiet and uncrowded so you can feel relaxed and fully enjoy the moment. That’s why popular areas like Old Montreal can be challenging. Not only are they often crowded with tourists, but you may also be sharing the space with other couples taking photos. If you’re more reserved, a private location may be a better fit.
To make the most of your time, the location should offer variety within walking distance. A wedding day moves quickly, and we usually have around 45 minutes for couple portraits. The more time we spend driving or waiting in traffic, the less time we have to create meaningful images. A great spot might include a field, a wooded area and an interesting building, all nearby.
It’s also important to have a backup plan in case of rain. A covered area like a porch or a bright indoor space with large windows can make all the difference. Paired with clear umbrellas, it can even turn into a unique and memorable part of your day.
Electronic distractions
With so many devices around us, they’ve become one of the biggest sources of distraction during ceremonies. Some guests forget to silence their phones. Others let children play loud games on tablets. And a few decide to step into the role of photographer for the day.
While the first two situations are disrespectful, the third can directly interfere with my work. It’s increasingly common for guests to step into the aisle or stand in front of the couple to take their own photos. This can block my view and cause me to miss key moments. I’ve even missed a first kiss once because a guest pushed in front of me with a tablet. If there’s one moment you don’t want to miss, it’s definitely that one!
One way to avoid this is by having an unplugged wedding. As the name suggests, this means asking guests to put away their devices during the ceremony. The officiant can make an announcement before things begin and you can also display a small sign at the entrance.
This allows everyone to be fully present and experience your ceremony with their own eyes, rather than through a screen. It also ensures that the photographer you’ve chosen to capture your day can do so without interruption. And in the end, you’ll be grateful for it.
Last update: April 2026
[…] of it all, it’s completely normal for a few things to slip through the cracks. Following my five tips every bride should read, here are seven often-overlooked details that can truly make a difference and bring your day even […]