Many couples who want to capture the moment by hiring a wedding photographer hesitate on making this decision because of the expense, which can take a bite out of a limited wedding budget. But here’s the thing: It’s money well spent. Professional photographers have plenty of experiencing capturing the best moments. They can also catch you when you’re not posing, but instead, looking like your natural, radiant self.

Still, this doesn’t mean you can’t snap your own pictures, too. While it makes perfect sense to hire a wedding photographer, you shouldn’t let him or her have all the fun. You may also want to take your own pictures to capture what you consider the best moments.

Here are some photography tips that will help you take great DIY pictures…

1. Wedding Lightroom Presets: After the big day, you’ll have lots of images to edit. You can make the whole process easier and more efficient by using Wedding Lightroom Presets. Think of them as the 20% of your actions that will deliver 80% of the results.

2. Tripods, Trigger Remotes and Self-Timers: How do you manage to be in two places at the same time? How can you be the one taking the photograph and still be in the photograph at the same time? While you could, of course, do a selfie, it won’t be possible to pose, too. So, you will need a trigger remote and a self-timer to manage this feat. While a tripod isn’t essential, and you could prop up your camera on a number of surfaces, a tripod makes everything much easier.

3. Rehearse the Pose: Since you will probably want the picture to be taken from 30 feet and you will have less than 30 seconds to pose gracefully as a cute couple, it’s best to do a quick practice on how you’re going to pose so that you know where to stand and how to assume a lovely pose. No doubt, you’re still bound to have a few bloopers, but they will be far less. In any case, bloopers are always good for a laugh.

4. Honeymoon Shots: Also, think beyond your wedding day itself. Think about your honeymoon. Why not pose for your own pictures using a timer when you’re on your honeymoon? This is where a DIY approach will serve you well. If you’re also taking pictures after your big day, when you’re on your honeymoon, think of the background as essential to the plot. So, if you’re in Waikiki, take them at places like Kaimana Beach, Kapiolani Park or Ala Wai Canal to get a great background. Or, if you’re at Yosemite, you want to have Half Dome, Tuolumne Meadows or El Capitan in the background.

5. Prefer film: While there is much to be said for digital photography and it’s come a long way, film is often more fun. It’s fresh. It’s granular. It’s somehow more resolute. Film, in other words, still has the winning edge. For instance, it’s hard to enhance digital images because when you focus on any part of it, you’ll see the pixels.

6. Take a photography class: If you’re not sure about how to take good pictures but like the idea of capturing your own images, too, on your wedding day and on your honeymoon, why don’t you take a photography class before the wedding? You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll learn. In fact, you’ll have a blast because you’ll now have a clear purpose for learning essential photography skills. Think of it as part of your wedding day preparations!

Final Thoughts: What to Do with Your Photographs

Wedding days are memorable in many ways. It’s a day of nervous excitement, spontaneous laughter and explosive fun. It’s also an occasion where you must have great photographs to preserve your happiest memories for future generations. By hiring both a professional wedding photographer and also getting into the game yourself, you’ll get the best collection of pictures.
Additionally, besides adding your own interpretation to another special day and sharing your picture on social media, another thing you may want to do with the pictures you take is to create a pallet picture collage.

Now, go snap those photos and have a fabulous wedding day!!!

–Sara Stringer is a freelance writer who most enjoys blogging about lifestyle, relationships and life as a woman. In her spare time, she enjoys soaking up the sunshine with her husband and two kids. Compensation was received for the editing and publishing of this article.

[Photos via We Heart It]