If you’ve ever thought a wedding photographer just shows up, takes pretty photos, and goes home, this is for you.

Hi, I’m Annette with Bellanet Photography, a Salmon, Idaho wedding photographer, and after photographing 100+ weddings across Idaho, I can confidently say this:

I am not just taking photos on a wedding day.

A wedding photographer wears a lot of hats, sometimes all at once, and many of them have nothing to do with pressing the shutter. Today I’m pulling back the curtain to show you what your Idaho wedding photographer is really doing behind the scenes (and why it matters more than you think).

I’m the Storyteller (Not Just the Person With the Camera)

Yes, I capture the big moments, the first kiss, the first dance, the walk down the aisle. But my real job is telling the full story of your wedding day.

That includes:

• Nervous hands before the ceremony
• The way your mom looks at you when you’re not watching
• Your friends losing it on the dance floor
• The quiet moments you didn’t even realize were happening

Some of the most meaningful photos my couples love are moments they didn’t know I captured at all. That’s intentional. I’m always watching for the in-between moments that make your day yours.

I’m the Director, Coach, and Occasional Comedian

Let’s be honest, most people feel awkward in front of a camera. That’s normal.

On a wedding day, I’m constantly:

• Giving gentle direction
• Adjusting posture and hand placement
• Cracking jokes when nerves are high
• Helping everyone feel comfortable and confident

I’ve photographed couples who told me, “We are so awkward,” and then later said, “That was actually fun.” That’s one of my favorite compliments.

My goal isn’t stiff posing, it’s helping you feel like yourself so your photos reflect that.

I’m the Timekeeper (So You Don’t Have to Be)

One thing couples don’t always realize is how closely photography is tied to your timeline.

On your wedding day, I’m quietly keeping track of:

• When we need to start portraits
• How long family photos are taking
• Whether we’re losing daylight
• When it’s time to gently move things along

I often work hand-in-hand with planners, coordinators, and DJs to make sure the day flows smoothly. And if there isn’t a planner? I often step into that role naturally, without stress, without panic.

You shouldn’t be watching the clock on your wedding day. That’s part of what you hire me for.

I’m the Problem-Solver (Because Something Always Happens)

I have yet to photograph a wedding where something unexpected didn’t happen.

I’ve:

• Fixed dresses and boutonnières
• Found missing family members
• Helped rearrange timelines on the fly
• Worked around sudden weather changes
• Navigated complicated family dynamics

One wedding it down poured, mid-July and all of sudden a huge rain storm rolled in, we lost about 45 minutes in their timeline but since the timeline was already prepped we were able to navigate to make it work and the weather was perfect with perfect photos. 

Experience matters here. When things go sideways (and they sometimes do), you want a photographer who stays calm and keeps things moving.