The Wedding Day Experience | Montana Wilson Photography, Sydney - Montana Wilson Photography | Sydney & Northern Beaches Wedding Photographer

What it's actually like to work with me

You've seen the photos. But what's it actually like, spending your wedding day with a photographer following you around? That's the part nobody shows you - so here it is.

I've been photographing weddings for 14 years. In that time I've learned that the best photos don't come from perfect posing or a rigid shot list. They come from couples who feel comfortable enough to forget I'm there. Showing my what is important to you, and what isn't. My whole job is making your day happen, your way.

Bride and groom share romantic moment among historic brick arches and lush greenery at elegant outdoor wedding venue.

Bride and groom stand before Pasadena venue with outdoor dining, palm trees, and string lights at their wedding.

Bride and groom celebrate with wedding party outside rustic barn venue, surrounded by lush floral arch arrangements.

Before the Day

Black and white photo of a couple kissing on a beach at sunset with long hair blowing in the wind.

Once you book, I don't just disappear until the wedding. We'll talk through your timeline together, so nothing feels rushed and nothing gets missed.

If you want an engagement session, this is also where any camera-shyness gets worked out; by the time your wedding day arrives, you'll already know how to move together in front of a lens, and it won't feel like the first time.

I'll ask about the people and moments that matter most to you: the ones a stranger with a camera might miss. Your grandmother's reaction. The look between your dad and your mum. The friend who flew in from overseas. Nothing gets left to chance.

Bride in white gown getting bracelet fastened by woman in silver dress before wedding ceremony.

On the Day

Capturing light, feelings & moments and all the things in between people and life.

This is where being a mom of two and my 14 years in the industry comes in handy. I am very, very used to staying calm while everything around me is chaos. Running late? Weather turning? A relative who's decided today is the day to have a moment? I've seen it all, and none of it rattles me. My job on your wedding day is to be the calmest person in the room, so you don't have to be.

I direct just enough to get you looking and feeling like yourselves; genuine laughter, an actual moment between you both, not a stiff, staged smile. If you're awkward in front of the camera (most people are, honestly), I'll get you there gently, with prompts and movement instead of "say cheese."

I'll be around enough to make you feel supported and guided, and will leave you alone to mingle with your guests and have the time of your life. My plan is to not be infront of your face all day, but also not be a fly on the wall - the aim is for the perfect mix of both. Knowing where to be and why.

Smiling wedding guests seated outdoors at an elegant ceremony, woman in navy beaded gown with corsage.

After the day

Within 48 hours of your wedding day you will receive you sneak peak gallery with around 20-40 images to highlight the day and tide you over while I work away on your final gallery.

Within 6 weeks of your wedding day, you will receive you final and full wedding gallery — the getting-ready nerves, the ceremony, your favourite people all together, the reception dance floor chaos, all of it.

Bride and groom walking hand in hand down a tree-lined path in a lush green garden on their wedding day.

But What if...?

We don't feel photogenic / we get awkward in photos?

Almost everyone tells me this. It's genuinely one of the most common things I hear — and also one of the easiest things to fix. My prompts are built for people who hate being photographed.

What if it rains, or the timeline runs late?

It happens more than you'd think, and it's never derailed a wedding I've shot. I always have a backup plan, and I'd rather adjust quietly in the background than make it your problem on the day.

How much are you directing vs. just capturing candids?

A mix. Enough direction that you're not standing around wondering what to do with your hands ( They will feel large + lifeless- why? Who knows, but I'll help you make them feel right!) but the best moments almost always happen in between the posed ones, and that's what I'm watching for.

Will you be intrusive during the ceremony/reception?

No. I move quietly and stay aware of the room. You should notice the photos afterward, not me during the day.

What if our families don't get along, or there's tension we're worried about?

I've photographed enough weddings to know that a little family friction is more normal than not. I keep things moving, stay neutral, and focus everyone's attention on the moment in front of them — most tension dissolves once people are looking at each other instead of each other's history.

What if we don't know what we want, or haven't thought about our "shot list"?

Totally fine. You don't need one. I'll ask a few questions ahead of time about the people and moments that matter most to you, and handle the rest. You're not expected to art-direct your own wedding.