A Photography Blog
Monday 18th June, 2007
How to find your Wedding Photographer
What you really need is a professional photographer who has a wide experience of weddings, someone completely reliable who you can really trust to take the best possible photographs of your day. It's impossible to take your wedding photographs again if you're not happy with them so don't be tempted to cut costs and entrust your photography to an amateur. They are your lasting reminder of your once-in-a-life-time day and if you intend on showing them to the future generations of your family in years to come then you had better find an expert photographer who will capture your day just how it is.
You want someone who is very experienced in weddings; they will be familiar with the emotion and stress of the day and will have experience in dealing with tricky family situations. They should be able to ease tension rather than add to it, if you have difficult family situations make sure you advice the photographer beforehand. They should also have excellent technical skills, ensuring that your photographs are neither too dark nor too underexposed. If you are opting for imaginative photos then you'll want someone with creative flair who's excited about photographing your wedding. They should have a great attitude and want to do the best job possible. Some photographers will visit your venues before hand to scout for the perfect backdrop and to generally get ideas. They may look for places to stop off between venues if they think there's a good spot to take photographs. You want the best wedding album possible but you don't want your photographer to monopolise the whole day, a good photographer will get the best results as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Ok, so now you know what you want you just have to find them. The first thing you need to do is look at each individual's style. This is how they actually take the photographs and what results they get. Some photographer are very visible and organise you and your guests, others will take a more discreet approach mingling with the guests and organising people without them even realising it. The outcome is also very important, look at the various styles and decide which is right for you as it is vital that you like their approach and their portfolio.
When they visit your home think about how comfortable you feel talking to them, remember that they will be a big part of your wedding day and you will probably spend more time with them than any of your guests so it is essential that you feel comfortable in their company. You should also ask to see complete albums from other people's weddings this will give you an idea of what your album could look like. A book of twenty great shots from twenty different weddings is easy to put together and not a good reflection of their skill whereas consistently good shots from one wedding will prove that the photographer is talented, this is the best way to gauge their overall style. Ask to see their most recentwork, anything done in the previous two months.
Remember to check that the person you meet is going to be taking your photographs on the day. Some photography companies have several photographers on their staff and while this is good back up should disaster strike and your chosen photographer can't make it, it is advisable to meet the person who will be taking your photographs before the day.
If you are considering booking a videographer and a photographer, book your photographer first and try not to book from the same company. It might seem like a sensible solution and will probably work out cheaper but the photographers associated with video companies hardly every provide the same quality of service as an independent specialist wedding photographer.
The packages available from different companies vary greatly in both price and content. With a top of the range photography package you'll look and feel like a film star. You can be photographed from early in the day getting ready with your bridesmaids till late in to the reception celebrating with your guests. An unlimited number of shots can be taken and in a variety of styles. You will be given a large storybook album that will act as a lasting reminder of your entire day. Bear in mind that your photographs are one of the few permanent records of your day and it’s wise to spend as much as your budget can allow.
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