Couples are eloping and that is not regarded as shameful as it was popularly infamous a few decades ago. Now, an elopement wedding refers to a small and intimate ceremony attended by close friends and family. Sometimes there are no guests, not even parents or closest buddies.
The event is an experience in itself as everything is following what represents the values of the couples. It can be a quiet togetherness of two individuals looking to spend a lifetime together or a whole day of fun and merriment with friends. Everyone documents the events through elopement wedding photography that mirrors everything to reminisce in the future.
Covering the event and creating an epic experience on a day that you will remember for a long time calls for professional help. But before hiring a photographer to take the pictures for your elopement, one can go through the following points for guidelines:
- Plan ahead of time
When planning for an elopement, one needs to focus on photographers in this niche space. Elopements wedding photography is breaking the barriers of tradition, time zone, and geographical locations. Those experienced in taking elopement wedding photographs may be traveling for work.
However, to plan and decide your schedule, you have to be patient till you get through one. It is ideal to email or reach out to their contact information and explain your details and ask them to get in touch. A professional person will get in touch in less than 24 hours and take the discussion up further.
2. Ask for reference work
A seasoned photographer will display their work on their website or social media platform to attract clients and for referencing. But chances are they show only their best output. Ask them for more pictures to see if they have maintained consistency and if their work is truly remarkable for you to team up with them for your wedding photographs.
3. Discuss all the details
A photographer who has taken pictures in scenic locations can tell you that there is a lot of hard work, hiking difficult trails, steep climbing, and waiting for the perfect frame to get the picture-perfect shot.
Without planning the details, random decisions about locations can create some unpleasant series of events and leave a bad experience for everyone concerned. For instance, if you want to take pictures in Yellowstone National Park, you should know when the park opens for the public after winter, before making plans to head there for shooting your elopement wedding photographs.
4. Ask questions
You are getting married for the first time and you probably have never attended any other elopement for ideas. But a photographer has few assignments under their belt. It is in the best interest of everyone, that the couple makes a list of all the questions they have and ask them.
Couples should know what is expected of them during the session. Outdoor shoots can be long and tedious and wear you down with all the physical walking. The bride should walk in sensible shoes and wear her Cinderella pumps right before the photographs are taken. Take something to munch and drink as it may turn out to be a long day with enough exercise.
5. Tell your story
Every couple has a story. It may be small, nevertheless, it is unique. As a couple, one has to learn to relax and trust their photographer. Char with them and tell them about how and where you met, how long you dated each other, who popped the question, and the rest of the titbits about your journey as a couple.
An experienced photographer is always looking to frame a story that reflects the love of a couple. They don’t miss the transitions that convey the romance between a couple that is getting married.
Conclusion:
Elopement weddings are as real as traditional weddings. The only main difference is the guestlist. A traditional wedding has a long list of relatives and friends, some of them whom the couple has not seen in years. The stress of planning such weddings is heavy. But an elopement has very few and in some cases no guests. The things that stand out are the couple, for who they are, from where they have come this far, and how they are moving ahead, to grow old together and perhaps raise a family of their own.
