Of course, we only want the most beautiful photos from our wedding. That is why we often carefully select and choose the most suitable wedding photographer, guided by his portfolio, photos that we see on Instagram and hoping that those beautiful photos that are admired by other people await us too. And certainly expected.

But, is it correct to give the photographer some instructions or even lists of shots that must not be missed? And in the end - why is it better not to do it anyway?

Guest list – allowed, list of specific shots – no

First of all, you should definitely not mix two things or, rather, two lists, namely the list of shots and the list of guests with whom you must take pictures together. The second list will not affect the creativity and freedom of the photographer in any way, but it will probably only help you understand which group photos are the most important to you (so that you don't forget your missus or a particularly close friend).

A shot list, on the other hand, is the pictures you've saved from the photographer's previous work, Pinterest , Instagram or other resources that you want your wedding photographer to take just like that and nothing else. This is where the problem can start, because such a list of specific photos will greatly limit the photographer's creativity.

If you have hired a good wedding photographer, then you should also be sure that he will be able to create the most beautiful shots.

After all, if the refrigerator breaks at home, we don't tell the handyman what he should do, but we trust that he will know how to fix it. Trust is also important when hiring your wedding photographer. In fact, from the moment you sign the contract, you should be able to trust that he will be able to capture your special day down to the last detail, including a heartfelt portrait with your beloved, which will probably not be taken while posing in front of the church after the ceremony, but later during the celebration, when you are both lovingly embraced.

Instructions and lists are the way to failure

We also asked some of the best wedding photographers in Latvia to find out their thoughts on this issue. Wedding photographer Ģirts Raģelis / Hold Me photography says that on the one hand, he likes to know which of his portfolio photos the couple likes best, because it makes it easier to organize their photos on their wedding day, but on the other hand, he thinks that instructions and any lists are usually a road to failure.

Many factors determine what the couple's wedding photos will be like, including the location, light and amount of time to take the shot.

"If a couple really wants a certain shot, I don't answer, but in general it's only at the level of recommendations, as a point of inspiration," says Ģirts Raģelis. The photographer Linda Lauva also agrees that she likes it when the couple shows some inspirational pictures of how they would like to see their wedding photos, but the photographer should not set the rules.

Photographer Miks Šēls is more categorical, stating that as a wedding photographer, freedom comes first for him and that if a couple gave a specific list of shots, he would even be ready to terminate the contract. "This freedom gives me the opportunity and interest to create cool photos on the wedding day, as a result of which the couple will receive these photos. If there is a second option, when the couple gives specific instructions about the photos they want to see, it will be worse for everyone - as a photographer, and for the couple themselves, when looking at the photos afterwards," said Miks Šēls.

You just have to let yourself go on the wedding day

It cannot be denied that we often want to control everything. We want everything to happen and look perfect. But perhaps just as often we forget that those perfect shots that we get excited about and want to see in our wedding photo album were natural, not staged.

If something is artificial, it is most likely to be noticed, so the only thing you really have to do on your wedding day is indulge.

Both for the love of your special person, the atmosphere of joy, absolute happiness, and the fact that the photographer will be able to catch and capture your happiness and the butterflies flying in your stomach. The worst thing you could do on your wedding day is ask your photographer to show you on their camera what the picture you just took looks like. This will spoil the mood of your photographer, will create a feeling that you do not trust him, if you want to see and "check" still raw pictures. Instead, it is better to "photograph" in your mind the memories, events and moments that you will remember for the rest of your life - even when the photo album with wedding pictures is not at hand.