Wedding Expert Insights: Wedding Photography Advice from Ania Ames Photography

Planning a wedding comes with countless decisions, and with so many talented suppliers to choose from, knowing where to start can feel a little overwhelming. This is why I've launched Wedding Expert Insights – a series of interviews with some of my favourite and most talented professionals in the wedding industry, sharing their knowledge, advice and insider tips to help make your wedding planning a little easier.

Whether you're choosing your photographer, cake designer, stationer or another key supplier, these interviews are designed to answer the questions couples ask most often, giving you expert advice from the people who do this every day.

If you're looking for wedding photography advice to help you choose the right photographer and make the most of your wedding day, you've come to the right place. In this edition of Wedding Expert Insights, I'm chatting with the photographer Ania Ames, who shares her expert tips and answers some of the most common questions couples have about wedding photography.

So, grab a cuppa and let's dive in...

Ania, thank you so much for joining me. Please tell us, how did you become a wedding photographer, and what do you love most about weddings?

I've always been a creative person at heart, but for a while I was stuck in a corporate job that just didn't fit me. I started out taking family photos, and in 2012 I shot my very first wedding  - and that was it. What I love most is the unscripted stuff, the look between two people who think no one's watching, the moment a parent sees their child in their dress for the first time. I never want a wedding to feel posed. My favourite compliment is when a guest doesn't even clock that I'm the photographer, because I've just blended into the day.

How far in advance should couples book their wedding photographer?

Popular Saturday dates in peak season can book out 12–18 months ahead, sometimes 2 years in advance. I always tell couples: book your photographer as soon as your venue and date are confirmed, even before the dress or flowers are sorted.

How can couples choose the right wedding photographer for their style and personality?

Look at a full wedding gallery, not just the highlight reel on Instagram - that shows you how someone handles a whole day, not just the best 20 shots. Check the editing style actually feels like "you." And just as important: do you like them as a person? You'll spend 8+ hours with this person on one of the biggest days of your life, so personality fit matters as much as portfolio.

What questions should couples ask before booking their wedding photographer?

• Can I see a full gallery from a recent wedding, not just highlights?

• What's your backup plan if it rains or if you're ill on the day?

• How many hours of coverage are included, and what happens if the day overruns?

• How long until we get our photos, and is there a sneak peek?

• What's the deposit and payment schedule?

How many hours of photography coverage do most couples need?

Most go for full-day coverage, around 9–10 hours, starting 2 hours before the ceremony (to capture getting ready) through to a few songs after the first dance. For elopements or smaller weddings, 2–4 hours covering the ceremony and portraits is often plenty.

What are the 'must-have' wedding photos every couple should consider?

• The details — rings, invitations, dress, and yes, the bouquet

• Getting ready candids

• First look or walking down the aisle

• Confetti

• A short, focused list of formal group shots (max 8 recommended - any more and it eats into your day)

• Golden hour couple portraits

• Candid reception moments - speeches, first dance, the dance floor

Do you recommend having an engagement photoshoot before the wedding day? Why or why not?

Always. I think of it as a practice round - by the time the wedding comes around, you already know how to move together in front of a camera, what makes you both laugh, and you're not hit with first-time nerves on the most important day. Bonus: you get lovely images for save-the-dates, your wedding website, or a guestbook.

How do you make couples feel more relaxed and natural in front of the camera?

I treat it more like hanging out with a friend who happens to have a camera, not a formal shoot. Instead of rigid posing, I'll give gentle prompts - "walk towards me and tell each other your favourite bit of the day so far" and capture what happens naturally from that. No stiff poses, no forced smiles here!

From a photographer's perspective, what role does good wedding floristry play in creating beautiful wedding images, and what floral details can make the biggest difference to the final gallery?

Flowers do so much more than decorate; they set the colour story for the whole day, in every single image. The bouquet is usually one of the first "hero" details I photograph in the morning, so how it's styled and how fresh it looks really matters. And bigger pieces like arches or table installs become backdrops for hours of photos, so a florist who thinks about how something will actually photograph - not just how it looks in person - genuinely elevates the whole gallery and is so worth the investment.

What are the biggest mistakes couples make when planning their wedding photography?

• Overpacking the timeline with too many locations

• A group shot list with 20-30+ combinations

• Choosing a photographer based on price alone

• Forgetting travel time between the ceremony, venue, and portrait spots

• Over-directing themselves instead of trusting the photographer to guide them

How long does it typically take to receive wedding photos, and what can couples expect after the wedding?

You'll get a preview of 20–30 images within 48 hours of the wedding. The full gallery follows around 8 weeks later. Every single photo is edited individually, which is why it takes that long, but it's worth the wait.

What's one piece of wedding photography advice you wish every couple knew before their wedding day?

Trust your photographer and let the day actually happen. Don't try to recreate a Pinterest board pose for pose! The best photos almost always come from the in-between, unplanned moments you can't script.

What's the most memorable wedding you've photographed and why?

It's hard to pick just one, but the weddings that stay with me are usually the ones where something didn't go to plan - and it ended up being better for it. I remember one where the rain came down just as the couple stepped outside, and instead of panicking, they just laughed, grabbed an umbrella, and danced in it. Those are the moments you can't plan for or recreate, and they always end up being people's favourite photos from the whole day. It's a good reminder that the "perfect" wedding photo usually isn't the posed one; it's the one that just happens.

How can couples get in touch with you?

The easiest way is through the contact page on my website.  I reply within 24 hours with my brochure (worth checking spam!), and we'll usually hop on a Zoom call before booking, just to make sure we're a good match. You can also find me on Instagram at @aniaamesphotography.

A huge thank you to Ania for sharing her expertise and taking the time to answer these questions. I hope her wedding photography advice has helped you feel more confident as you plan your wedding and prepare for one of the most memorable days of your life.

If you enjoyed this interview, keep an eye out for the next part of Wedding Expert Insights, where I'll be chatting with another talented wedding supplier to bring you even more expert advice, practical tips and inspiration to help you create the wedding day you've always dreamed of.

See you on the next one!

Photography: Ania Ames Photography

The flower arrangements in these photos are not my work; they were created by other florists.