HIIIIIII <3
If you’re new here - I’m Gerda, a mostly wedding photographer based in Helsinki and available anywhere worldwide. I’m so glad you found your way to this post.
One of the questions I hear most often is:
“How much photography coverage do we really need?”
There’s no single answer that fits every couple. Some days need more time, some need less. The right amount depends on your locations, your timeline, and - most importantly - what you actually want to remember.
My usual recommendation
Let's talk about your wedding portraits: In most cases, I recommend around 1 hour.
That is often enough to create a beautiful, meaningful collection of images without the day feeling rushed or over-documented. I’ve also photographed some couples in as little as 15–30 minutes when the plan was simple and everything happened in one place. Those shorter sessions can still feel complete when the energy is right and the moments are genuine, annnndddd you want only small collection of portraits.
When you might need more than one hour
A few things can stretch the time:
You want photos in different locations (for example getting ready in one place, ceremony in another, and portraits somewhere else).
There is travel time between those places.
If we need to move between locations, we simply add the travel time into the coverage so nothing feels hurried. The goal is always the same: enough time to breathe, without making you feel stressed.
What most couples want photographed
The moments that appear most often in the galleries I deliver are:
Getting ready
The two of you (first look/portraits and candid moments together)
Group photos with family and close friends
Speeches
Games
Cake cutting
Bouquet toss
The dancefloor energy
Some couples also love a few extra fun images later in the evening - the afterparty vibes, the shoes coming off, the quiet conversations that happen when the formal part is over. Those can be included if you want them.
Getting ready photos
Some couples would like me there for the getting-ready part of the day as well. Others prefer to keep that time private. Both choices are completely fine.
If this is something you are considering, we can talk about it together and decide what feels right for you. There is no pressure either way.
How we decide together
is how we shape the coverage around your story. The photos should support the day, not interrupt it. Comfort and presence always create stronger images than a long list of must-have shots.
A gentle reminder
The most meaningful photographs are rarely the ones that take the most hours. They are the ones that happen when you feel relaxed and connected - when you are simply living the day instead of performing for the camera.
Whether we photograph for 30 minutes, one hour, or a longer stretch of the day, my approach stays the same: I move gently, I watch carefully, and I protect the quiet, real moments that will still matter years from now.
If you would like help figuring out the right amount of coverage for your wedding, I would love to hear about your plans.
You can reach me through the contact page, email me at gerdakoort@gmail.com, or book a short video call so we can talk it through.
For every couple who book me as their photographer, they get a very informative wedding guide where I go through every step and give hot tips out!
I speak Estonian, Finnish and English, and I’m happy to travel wherever your story takes us.
