What do Brides Expect from Photographers post-COVID?

The demonstration of celebration, belonging, and fellowship that is part of the wedding ceremony was something that became dangerous during the coronavirus pandemic, which was one of the most challenging times in human existence. The new era of weddings will be impacted by the social, physical, and economic shifts that the pandemic caused, and capturing your special moment in a picture could permanently be a different experience. Here are a few things that have changed in the wedding photography industry that could impact your photoshoot.

Many Photographers Have Evolved Small Wedding and Elopement Offerings

Unfortunately, the large traditional wedding is going away and was slowly on its way out even before the pandemic. More intimate shoots with just the bride and groom are taking the place of large group photos, and smaller, more personalized ceremonies are a growing trend. This change means that creative wedding photos are also on the rise, and photographers have evolved their offerings to include boldly creative backdrops and whimsical settings to create epic images that can be either digital or printed in albums.

Safety Protocols Are Still in Place

Sanitation and safety are still top of mind for photographers, and some social distancing, enhanced cleaning, and mask-wearing will be part of the photography experience for at least the rest of 2021. Photographers will likely still request that any clients or members of a wedding party reschedule if they feel unwell. Safety protocols will also impact scheduling, locations, and the number of participants to ensure that crowding doesn’t occur and that there is enough time to sanitize in between sessions when shooting in a studio.

Outdoors are the New Indoors

Being outside was one of the only safe places to gather during the pandemic, and outdoor weddings are still holding strong. Wedding photos embedded in a natural landscape will continue to grow in popularity, and the unification of love and nature will be trending strong for years to come.

We Could be Heading Into the Busiest Wedding Season Ever

With vaccines now widely available, larger gatherings are starting to trickle back onto schedules slowly but surely. According to The Knot’s 2020 Real Weddings Study, 96% of couples decided to postpone their weddings until 2021 and 2022, and this means that the next 24 months just might be the busiest wedding season that we’ve seen in a very long time. For those who fall into this category of changing wedding plans, it’s essential to communicate with photographers about availability as soon as possible. This will ensure that your once-in-a-lifetime occasion is captured in a way that can be passed down for generations to come.

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Abigail Baker is a writer from Happy Writers, Co. in partnership with Silver Superstore, a designer silverware wholesaler.