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Introduction
Photographs
are the lasting reminder of your wedding day. They record the atmosphere
of your wedding, your choice of dress, colours, venues and guests. They
will be on display in your home, and the homes of the people who shared
the day with you, or those who were unable to attend. They are a record of
the most special day of your life for you to look back on with future
generations
Finding
A Photographer
It
is important then to find a photographer who is well qualified,
experienced and aware of the requirements for your special day. You need
to feel absolutely sure that the photographer you choose will capture the
essence of your wedding and be able to make you and your guests look a
million dollars.
You will find there are many photographers available to you. Photographers are a varied breed specialising only in weddings or doing weddings only as a sideline. Some do little or no advertising, others advertise in many places. You may consider asking friends and family for recommendations.
There is a professional Guild of Wedding Photographers to which some photographers choose to belong that publishes a list of it's members. Although it is not an exhaustive list of good wedding photographers, it could prove a useful reference point if you have difficulties locating a suitable one.
Making
Contact
Once
you have decided on a firm date for your wedding you can begin approaching
your choice of photographers to see if they are available. It is worth
starting your search for a photographer early, as the better photographers
will become booked up quickly. It is important that you view
photographer's work before you book them for your wedding. Never book over
the phone.
You may like to invite a few people to come with you when you visit a photographer, especially if they have a hand in paying for the photographs. The presence of a parent, bridesmaid/best man or friend will help you to keep a clear head and give you another opinion on the appearance of the photographer and his work.
Have
a Clear Idea of What You Want
You
need to have a clear idea in your minds of what you expect your wedding
photographs to be like, or at least some idea of style or specific shots
required.
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Would you like traditional or more journalistic style of photographs? |
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Do you want exclusively formal shots or would some relaxed photographs of friends and family help you to remember the whole day? |
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Would you like some portraits of special people taken at home on the morning of the wedding, where you can ensure everything looks perfect (the photographer could visit you both separately)? |
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Would you like a confetti or bubbles "in the air" shot, and do you mind if this is staged rather than spontaneous? |
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Are there some people you would like your photograph taken with apart from the traditional selection? For example are some of your guests travelling from another country who you see rarely? |
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Are you inviting an old school friend that you had a photograph with when you were very young that you could update on your wedding day? |
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Would you like all colour shots, black and white or shots using other effects such as sepia toning? |
What
To Look For
There
are a number of things to look for when you examine the work of a
photographer.
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Are you offered a complete album of photographs from one wedding, rather than a collection of good pictures from a selection of weddings? |
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Do you feel that the album tells the story of the whole wedding? |
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Are the pictures of the couple different from each other: some close up, some mid distance, some full length? |
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Can you see a selection of tidy, well organised group shots, and are all of the group positioned in the shot, or have people been missed off at the edges? |
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Do you feel yourself looking at the subject of the picture or a distraction in the background? |
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Can you see detail in the pictures: of the dress, the cake, the flowers, people's faces in shots taken from a distance? |
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Do the people in the photographs look relaxed, happy and comfortable? It is helpful to check not only the bride and groom but also the friends and relations in the photos. |
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Would you feel happy owning your version of the pictures you are shown? |
Don't forget that there are a variety of different styles of photography and of presentation. If one photographer does not share your ideas of style, then try another one. It is difficult for photographers to drastically change their style to suit yours.
You should also make sure that the photographer you choose quickly establishes a good rapport with you and makes you feel comfortable. He should be able to advise you on where and how to stand without making you feel stupid!
You can always opt to have two photographers of varying styles at your wedding, if photographs are particularly important to you.
Questions
To Ask
Remember,
it is important to discuss all of your requirements with your
photographer. They can do a much better job of your wedding photographs if
they are totally aware of your hopes for the final outcome. Consider
taking examples of photographs from friends' weddings or sketches so you
are clearly understood. Leave as little to chance as possible.
Here are some important questions to ask the photographer.
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Ask if the person you are meeting will be the person there on your wedding day. If not, ask to met the actual photographer and see some examples of their work. If this is resisted, be a little concerned. |
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If you meet an alternative photographer from the same company, ask the same questions. Don't assume the same standards or experience as their partner or employer. |
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Check the photographer's qualifications and ask if they were gained in wedding photography (if this is important to you). Also ask how long they have been a photographer, and how long they have been taking photographs of weddings. |
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Find out how long the photographer spends taking their shots after the ceremony and/or at the reception. There isn't really a standard time for this, you should decide before you visit the photographer how long you think it is acceptable to keep your guests waiting, and see how close the photographer's estimate comes to yours. |
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Ask how the photographer copes if the weather is not as beautiful as you hope. Here it will help if the photographer has worked at your wedding and reception venues previously and knows the local area. |
Making
A Booking
Having
found a photographer that suits your requirements you need to discuss a
price for the job. You will find that you generally get what you pay for
and the more experienced photographers are likely to charge more, but this
is not always the case.
Make sure you ask each photographer to quote for the same job otherwise you will not be able to compare quotations. There are some variables in the cost of a wedding photographer: how long you want the photographer to be in attendance, the approximate number of photographs taken, the number of shots to be included in the package that is presented to you and the type of album the final photographs will be presented in. Be on your guard here. Make sure that the photographer anticipates taking more shots than they intend presenting to you, as this leaves a greater margin for error. Also be aware of "too good to be true" offers as these are usually just as they sound.
Always make sure that the content of the photographs, not the number of shots or the size of the prints is what you are considering. You can always enlarge a print, or have your photographs digitally changed to include fewer people, highlight one particular area or even to change the weather. The possibilities are endless if you are dealing with a good print, but nothing can change a set of photographs that do not have the content you require.
Finally, make sure the photographer explains their quote and tells you of any extras that may be involved in advance. Every wedding operates on some kind of budget, and keeping a track of your spending is easier if you have the full picture up front.
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