I'm looking for a photographer in melbourne to do a "wedding shoot" for me?

What you're after is often called a post wedding or "day after" shoot, and they're a really lovely thing to do. The pressure of the actual day is gone, so you get to slow right down, wear your dress again, and just enjoy being in front of the camera together. We're based up in Queensland rather than Melbourne, so we'd only be the right fit if you were open to a destination shoot, but I wanted to share a few things to look for so you end up happier this time around.

Before you book anyone, have a proper look at their full galleries, not just the highlight images, and pay attention to the moments where they're guiding a relaxed couple rather than only capturing a posed line up. That gentle direction is usually the difference between photos you love and ones you don't, and it's worth asking a photographer how they coach two people who feel a bit awkward on camera. Ask to see a complete wedding or shoot from start to finish so you know the whole set is consistent, not just the best three frames.

Melbourne gives you some gorgeous backdrops for this, and the light there can be beautifully soft, especially in the cooler months. I'd plan the shoot around golden hour, the hour or so before sunset, because that warm, flattering light does a lot of the work and tends to be where couples feel most at ease. If you can, shoot in autumn or winter to avoid harsh midday sun.

One last thing worth asking whoever you choose: who actually edits the images. We edit every photo in house ourselves and never send it offshore, and that matters because the editing style is a big part of why you might not have loved your originals. Get a clear sense of their editing look up front so the final feel is exactly what you want.