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The connection between a couple and their  wedding photographer begins with a shared vision for their special day. A strong connection allows the photographer to understand the couple’s unique style, preferences, and personalities, ensuring that their vision is brought to life through the photographs. Creating a comfortable environment fosters trust, enabling the couple to relax and be themselves, resulting in stunning photographs that truly reflect their unique love story.

Italian photographers Carolina Sandoval, Nicoletta Subitoni and Spanish photographer Joy Zamora tell you all about building a connection with your wedding photographer and more.

Finding a wedding photographer who understands your vision

When it comes to wedding photography, some couples know exactly what they want, but most often they get confused with all the wedding inspiration around. It is quite easy to get lost in front of all the different styles and aesthetics. Of course, you should do your research, but just as important is to take a step back and listen to your inner feelings. As Joy Zamora says, the first thing to find a photographer with your vision is to understand what you are looking for. He advises you to stay away from fads, trends or what you’ve seen in other people’s weddings. Every couple is different, and something that worked for others may not work for you.

Photo: JOY ZAMORA

A little exercise from Joy Zamora – write down three or four adjectives that define the photography you’re looking for, and then actively seek out photographers who meet those criteria. For example, if you’re an introvert, looking for a photographer who is looking for intimacy over high-intensity moments would be a good idea. However, if you’re all about partying and being the centre of attention, you might want to focus more on a photographer who conveys more candid emotions. In short, the recipe for capturing genuine moments with your wedding photographer is to be on the same page emotionally.

Photo: JOY ZAMORA

When you’ve understood what you’re looking for and maybe even found a photographer who potentially shares your vision, the question arises – how to express your style to your wedding photographer? The answer is simple – don’t be afraid to talk to them. Expressing what you have in mind to a photographer is one of the fundamental points, Carolina Sandoval emphasises. Without that, it is difficult for the photographer to satisfy the needs of a couple.

Photo: CAROLINA SANDOVAL

For Nicoletta Subitoni, the aesthetic agreement is just as important as the emotional connection. First of all, the couple must be 100% convinced of her style, of the fact that 30% of her photographs are in black and white, some blurry and also analogue photos, she tells. However, she encourages couples to send her inspirational photos. For her, sharing the planning process and informing about the involved wedding vendors helps to build a better relationship based on knowledge of the wedding preparations and each other.

Photo: NICOLETTA SUBITONI

Building a connection with your wedding photographer

We’ve already touched on the importance of talking to your photographer and being open about your wishes, but there’s more to that. Joy Zamora’s recommendation is to always do it with respect for the photographer’s creativity. We all like to be valued for what we do and not for taking similar pictures of what we’ve seen somewhere. So, he insists, it is important to express what kind of feelings or emotions you are looking for and then talk about the vision of your wedding and how the photos will be. Also, if you can point out a wedding this photographer has done as an example, it will make it easier for your photographer. In short, you will succeed in creating a bond with your wedding photographer only if you do it with respect to their work.

Photo: JOY ZAMORA

Joy Zamora’s advice for establishing rapport with your wedding photographer is to try to have a video call or an in-person meeting with your photographer. For him, the connection makes the difference between normal photos and photos that thrill. For him, communication means not only talking about the upcoming wedding but getting to know each other better and building a more fundamental relationship. He sends his couples questionnaires to get to know them better, has a meeting where he doesn’t talk about weddings, and interacts on social media to see a little more of each other’s day-to-day lives.

Every little detail will be exponentially elevated on the wedding day. Every professional wedding photographer will keep in mind that, while they might be working with several couples simultaneously, for each couple the wedding day is something deeply personal and very special. Thus, Nicoletta Subitoni takes an interest in the couple, as if they were the only one, and she is following how the preparations are going.

Photo: NICOLETTA SUBITONI

Sure, each photographer will have their approach. Carolina Sandoval explains that hers is to immediately establish a confidential relationship with the couple, be honest, and relate with absolute clarity to their requests. Subsequently, to establish an empathic relationship also through calls, especially working with foreign couples.

Photo: CAROLINA SANDOVAL

The importance of a photographer couple connection

Choosing a wedding photographer who connects with you is crucial because, in a way, it will affect the images of your wedding day. For Carolina Sandoval, it feels much more comfortable when you have some empathy and collaboration becomes much more fluid and fun. A professional photographer can make good quality pictures, but with the right feeling, something even more beautiful certainly comes out.

Photo: CAROLINA SANDOVAL

As said before, communication is the key for the couple-photographer relationship to reach a new level of authenticity. Joy Zamora explains, couples are very sensitive and will know perfectly well when you are not honest with them. If you are passionate about this job as a photographer and you want to get the best out of each of your couples, communication will allow you to create many more special situations and photographs organically, not just ask to make some strange pose. Not to mention, communication from the very beginning will help you solve problems and avoid unexpected situations. You should talk about everything that generates doubts, even about uncomfortable topics. Also, for the photographer, it is better to be real than to try to sell the illusion that you will do things differently. Both, photographers and couples sometimes have to say “no” if the connection isn’t established, and the sooner it happens, the better.

Photo: JOY ZAMORA

Selecting a wedding photographer who captures your love story is not always easy. But by choosing a wedding photographer who makes you feel comfortable, you will be able to open yourselves up and create genuine and love-filled images. Joy Zamora is attentive and understands that the couples usually are nervous and often doubt if they will be able to get it right on camera. Talking, and making them feel part of your circle is something that will become very noticeable when it comes to photographing. Being part of their lives during the process before and after the wedding, writing them a short email to let them know you are there for them, and responding and interacting on social media is his tip for fellow wedding photographers. Also, if you’re a couple and receive this kind of attention from your photographer, you can be sure that everything will be alright.

Photo: JOY ZAMORA

Trusting your wedding photographer as a couple

For Joy Zamora, trust is the keyword for any well-managed wedding. There are many ways to get that trust, but from the photographer’s point of view, the first one is, to be honest and real with what you can give your couple. But as in any two-way relationship, it has to be mutual, Joy Zamora adds. The couple must trust blindly their photographer, listen to their advice, let them propose ideas and always respect the photographer’s creativity. He explains that photographers put a great part of who they are as people in their work, and that’s why it is such a sensitive subject. At the same time, the couple is living an unrepeatable day and wants everything to be perfect. For him, meeting in the middle is the key to guaranteed success.

Photo: JOY ZAMORA

As you probably understand at this point, collaborating with your wedding photographer is much more than just paying them to get nice pictures. You will get truly amazing photos only if you have established trust. Joy Zamora admits, getting into the universe of each couple is not easy, there are so many things going on at weddings at the same time, nevertheless, he focuses on knowing very well the people he is going to work with. He has to know their virtues, dreams, fears and aspirations. With all that he creates a special atmosphere, he understands what he can ask and what not. He reads situations better and can capture genuine moments and emotions.

We can only encourage you to put yourself in the hands of the person you have chosen as a photographer. Give them confidence, and they will give you much more than you expect.

Photo: NICOLETTA SUBITONI

Author: Renāte Berga

Photographers: Joy Zamora, Carolina Sandoval, Nicoletta Subitoni

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