Being a photographer in this day and age can be easy - especially with the camera we carry in our pockets each day (AKA our phones!). But it is also SO DANG HARD!

Too often, I see photographer etiquette being abused or ignored. Is it always intentional? Absolutely not! But there are simple things (such as cropping your photo on instagram) that might be against your professional photographer's wishes, as stated in their contract. So let’s dive into all the things that your photographer may want you to know.

Top 3 Things Your Wedding Photographer Wants You to Know!

Here are just three things that I have seen most often that might not be common knowledge for the photography client.

1.The final image the photographer produces and delivers to the client is the photographer's intellectual property, it is art and it should not be altered in any way!

Starting with topic one, it is a lengthy one but it is something that is neglected too often. Photographer's do not just "click a button" and then the final edited work is delivered to your cell phone. Most photographers spend endless hours editing, fine tuning and working on your gallery. It is not a turn key thing.

Once the photos are delivered, they are to stay the way they came, which means NO ALTERING! What might altering look like? Applying a filter, cropping, using a "skin smoothing tool", using an app such as facetune, are just a few common things I see. Some photographers are very laid back and some have the alterations clause very detailed written in contracts that clients sign. Depending on the photographer, each situation might be different. Do not be afraid to ask your photographer to expand on their preferences of what you do with their art!

2. Tagging your photographer is SO important!

This one seems so small but is actually HUGE! I book probably 80% of my clientele based off word of mouth. Whether that be an actual vocal conversation between two people or simply seeing my work tagged on your friend's social media pages! I cannot say thank you enough to all my clients for tagging me, using my images as their profile pictures and just referring me in general! Tagging your photographer means the world to us and helps us excel in our business.

3. They are humans, with real lives, families, hobbies and personal time outside of photography

The last topic for this blog is just a friendly reminder to give your communicative photographer GRACE. (Note- I used the word communicative because too often do I see horror stories of photographers ghosting, yes, completely and entirely ignoring their clients). Social media is amazing because you get to share pieces of your lives with your friends, acquaintances, foes and basically the whole world.

Just because your photographer shows a lazy Sunday afternoon on their instagram stories, or shares their day out with their family in the city, that doesn't mean they are ignoring your galleries. In fact, if your photographer is anything like me, it weighs on their minds quite heavily. Never be afraid to communicate with your photographer, but also try to give them grace. Messaging your photographer outside of the 8am-5pm hours is a rocky ship to navigate, but give them some time to respond, because they might have a family to clean up after, cook for and tuck into bed. We are humans too. :)

Krista Francis | Western Wedding + Couples Photographer

If you are in the need of a Western wedding photographer, look no further! I am here to capture all of your special moments on your big day. Head over to my contact page so we can get in touch and start planning your dream Texas wedding!