Celebrity Wedding Photos Dos and Don’ts

Confessions of a Celebrity Wedding Photographer

I grew up with celebrities. It’s true. Of course, at the time, I had no idea they were household names. And maybe to you they weren’t any big deal, but I grew up around NASCAR. My mom worked for various race teams, and in some circles their drivers are right up there with Elvis, Santa Clause and sweet baby Jesus. Little did I know, but meeting all those people would help me later on in life when it came time to take my first celebrity wedding photos. I’ve done more than a few in the past year and so I thought I should share some of my hard-earned knowledge.

I do and I don’t

• Mums the Word: You might be screaming inside and you might want to shout from the rooftops who you’re talking to, but don’t. Its important to keep a low profile during the informational phase. Don’t post on social media who you’re talking to. Don’t tell your friends. Keep it all to yourself.

• Publicists are Your Friend: Most big celebrities have a publicist. This is not to be confused with a wedding coordinator. When shooting a celebrity wedding, you’ll be dealing with both. A publicist will be your best friend when it comes to dealing with the media. She will be your liaison if a big magazine like People comes calling, or network makes an inquiry about your photos. Run everything by them. You want to be careful about stepping on toes. Also, ask the publicist for tips on where to share your celebrity wedding photos and what hashtags to use. You won’t find a better resource than a publicity professional.

• Full Disclosure: You may be asked to sign a Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA). Don’t be intimidated. Be sure to read the entire thing. The last thing you want to do is get in trouble.

• Play it cool: When it came time to shoot the wedding, I didn’t gawk at the guests or sneak private photos. Everyone received the same treatment, no matter who they were. That’s not to say I wasn’t freaking out inside. I mean, I’m human after all.

• Stay calm, keep cool: Probably my best advice is to keep everything to yourself. Don’t gossip about what it was like behind the scenes. Don’t ask for autographs. Don’t ask for selfies. Professionalism is so important when you’re a celebrity wedding photographer. You are there to do a job and that’s all that matters.

After the Celebrity Wedding Photos

• Deliver your photos quickly. The wedding of a celebrity is news, and the news doesn’t wait. Making your photos available quickly increases your chances of being picked up by a network, magazine, or e-zine. But again, if you do get an inquiry, make sure you tell the publicist!

• If you receive permission to share your couple’s celebrity wedding photos on your socials, get to work! Share those pictures everywhere. Be sure to tag your couple and their celebrity friends. Use the appropriate hashtags and keywords. This is your chance to increase your reach; don’t be afraid to take the bull by the horn.

• Lastly, use this opportunity to grab the attention of other celebrity couples. Referrals are a great way to build your business. Work your connections.

It’s always fun to meet new people, but when those people are in the limelight, it can be a little nerve-wracking to shoot their celebrity wedding photos. I always tell myself that celebrities are people, too. I’ve seen them come out of powder rooms just like anyone else. I’ve chatted with people who were household names and they often admit to feeling uncomfortable when people act crazy around them. So keep your cool. Honestly, just remember to be yourself. You can never go wrong if you do that. And if you’re looking for some inspirations, check out my Pinterest.

Most of all, have fun!