Wedding Photography:
7 Important Considerations
1. Emotionally connect with the person who will capture you through the lens.
Of all the vendors you will work with during the months leading up to your wedding day, you’ll spend the most time working through specific details with your photographer. And, on the day, it’s your photographer who will interact with you, your bridal party, and your guests.
If your wedding day memories are important to you, then you can see why it is so important to work with a photographer who genuinely cares about you and the work that he or she is doing for you. After all, ten, twenty, thirty years from now, it will be your album and your prints that wind their way through time to bring you back into the emotion and detail of your wedding day.
∞ Trust your instincts. If you “connect” with your photographer, you are well on your way to getting genuine documentation of the moment when you walk down the aisle, when you kiss for the first time, when you dance for the first time as husband and wife and much, much more.
2. A second-shooter adds a whole new dimension.
With your busy life, you know it is impossible to be in two places at once. Similarly, with only one photographer, it is impossible to capture all of the moments through one pair of eyes.
∞ If you want to capture both sides of the bridal party in full detail, and have different angles and perspectives, consider the additional coverage a second shooter brings. You’ll have lots of stories to tell each other and the photos will help you recount them.
3. Be knowledgeable about photography styles.
It is important to understand that each photographer has a shooting style. Some photographers only like to shoot with a candid, photojournalistic style and others only like to shoot posed and very controlled. Some photographers are comfortable with both.
∞ Know which style you enjoy and ask your prospective photographer which he or she prefers. If your preferences jive, great! If not, be sure to clarify what you really want and work together to agree on specific details.
4. Ensure the photographer is clear about what images you expect.
There are many notable moments during a wedding day. Spend some time thinking about your day.
∞ Make a list of key moments that you want your photographer to capture. Is it something you want him or her to stage or is it something that will happen naturally? When you communicate exactly what you want, a caring photographer will make every possible effort to get exactly that.
5. Be familiar with the type of post-processing technology that your photographer employs.
With the wonders of digital photography, there are countless types of image manipulations that can occur while post-processing your wedding day images through the magic of Photoshop®. Your images can be in Color, Black and White or Sepia…even Black and White with selective Color. Skin can be airbrushed, blemishes can be erased, eyes and teeth whitened.
∞ Talk with your prospective photographer. Ask him or her about post-processing techniques. Communicate how you would like your images to be processed.
6. Arrange a pre-wedding consultation to finalize details.
Meet with your wedding photographer a few weeks before the event. Discuss all the details of the day and the shots you would like. Talk about how you would like the photographer to work.
∞ Do you want him or her behind the scenes? Do you want him or her to direct activity? Be clear about your expectations and everything will work as planned. Invite your photographer to the rehearsal for a dry run.
7. Avoid the temptation to select your photographer based on price alone.
Some photographers work from a package price, some work a la carte. Understand the differences of both and know that price comparisons aren’t often apples to apples.
∞ Ask if there are additional costs or hourly rates. Know what final print prices will be and what is included? Is post-processing included? Is an online ordering environment provided? Clearly understand what you will get for your investment and make an informed decision.