Your wedding day will be full of special moments that you will treasure for many years. It will take you months to make sure that every detail is planned perfectly. But while you're taking so much care to make the day flawless, take some time to make sure that your memories of the day are flawless too.
Choosing the right photographer is the best way to guarantee that you will be able to relive your wedding day for many years to come. It is essential to book your photographer at least nine months to a year in advance. Since the best studios are booked up to two years ahead, you should begin looking for a photographer as soon as you set your date.
Don't fool yourself into believing that you can find the best photographer in town just by making a few telephone calls to inquire about prices. Go to several studios and look through sample books, and keep your eyes open for quality. You'll be able to tell the difference between a good photo and a bad one.
The pictures should be clear, well lighted, and printed on professional grade paper to prevent the colors from fading over time. Pay special attention to how well they captured the emotion of the day. Your wedding album should tell the story of your special day, and it should reflect all the laughter as well as the tears. Look at complete wedding albums from beginning to end. Don't settle for selected pictures from several weddings, because these will represent the photographer's best work. The one or two photos you see will be great, but the rest of that couple's album could be awful. Obviously, price will be important, but don't let it stand in the way of quality. Understandably, when wedding plans come down to dollars and cents, it's hard to keep spending a little more here and a little more there. Somewhere along the line, hard decisions have to be made.
But quite often the difference between the price of the photographer you really like and one whom you feel is "within the budget" is miscalculated. What most people don't realize is how much time goes into wedding photography. Each individual album represents about 35 to 40 hours of work on the photographer's part. Consider how much money you make in a week, and that may help put the cost into perspective.
Within the framework of the entire wedding day, it makes good sense to evaluate the money spent on photographs in relation to what's spent on flowers, food, and music. Everyone knows that the pictures are the only thing you have after the moment has passed, but sometimes people feel they have to spend the money where it shows initially.
Keep in mind that you're going to remember your wedding day through the eyes, heart, and talent of your photographer. There's NEVER a second chance. It wasn't a good deal if you're going to regret it every time you open your wedding album. Wedding photography generally takes two forms. There are the very formal, posed portraits, and then there is the photojournalistic style that records events as they happened. Neither is any better than the other; it's all a matter of preference. You should ask photographers what style they lean toward, and look for somebody who provides a balanced approach. They should be flexible enough to provide some formal shots, but also be able to capture emotion as it happens. When you plan the schedule for your wedding, don't forget about your photography. Allow plenty of time for a variety of shots, especially if you will be going to a different location.
Time is an important factor in wedding photography. A lot of people plan the reception so soon after the ceremony that they don't allow enough time for the photographer to do good, creative work. If you're in a big hurry because your guests are waiting, it'll show up in the finished work. The more time you can build into your schedule for photography, the better the pictures will turn out. Plan for about 45 minutes at home, then 30 to 60 minutes after the ceremony for the photographer to get plenty of good shots. With enough time, everyone will be relaxed and they'll enjoy themselves.
Take the time to sit down with the photographer and fill him or her in on the events of the day. A pre-wedding consultation is essential because that's where a photographer can get all the details of the wedding day. They'll find out times, places, special guests, and as much other information as they possibly can. If you have any special requests, make them known. For example, if you will be leaving the church in a horse-drawn carriage, let the photographer know so he or she can plan some time for photos with the carriage. Be sure to meet the person who will be responsible for photographing your wedding, and see how sensitive that person is to your needs. Look at albums of that person's work, and talk with him or her. If your personalities seem to clash, it's likely that you won't be happy with that photographer's work at your wedding, and it'll show up in the pictures.
Discuss the packages that are available, and know what you get with each one. For example, will the photographer cover the ceremony and the entire reception? Are the proofs (or previews) included when you buy an album? What about retouching? Ask about charges for overtime, mileage, and multiple locations.
If you don't find a package that meets your needs, find out how much it will cost to buy the extras that you want on an "a la carte" basis. And don't be afraid to ask whether they bring backup equipment to the wedding.
Find out how long after the wedding the photographer will keep the negatives, in case you want to order more prints later on. It's also a good idea to ask your photographer what he or she usually wears to cover a wedding. Proper dress will vary from one wedding to another, since the photographer needs to be able to stand out at some times and fade into the background at others. The best rule of thumb is that he or she should dress as the guests do. An everyday suit will look out of place at a black-tie affair, and a tuxedo will look just as awkward at an informal wedding. When you find a photographer you're interested in, ask for references and be sure to check them. Someone who's not connected with the studio will give you a very objective opinion. Once you've made your decision and come to an agreement with the photographer, put everything into a contract. The contract should stipulate date, time, and place, as well as the name of the photographer and how long he or she will work. Also add the complete price, including deposits and payment schedules, and what will be included in the price.
You should receive your previews within a month after the wedding, and the finished album about six weeks after you place your final order.
Your wedding album should be your own personal love story, reflecting the personalities of both you and your groom. The right photographer will be able to capture all the magic of your special day and preserve it for the two of you to share for years to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment