Your wedding day - it's the most important and romantic day of your life; the day that holds memories you'll want to remember and cherish forever. But with the joys of wedding jitters sending you into a blind panic, you, the bride, can end up missing out on the best bits. Fast forward twenty years and what you do remember may well have faded to vague recollections. This, of course, is where your happy snaps come into play and the reason why your wedding photography is a key consideration in wedding day planning. So, what should you consider when choosing the right photographer? How can you help ensure you get the picture perfect photos? In an interview with a slew of professional wedding photographers, I bring you their two-cents...
Research: Wedding Photographer Selection
Ok, so you've already found Mr. Right, but have you found the right photographer? How do you go about finding them? Where do you begin?
"Go online", advises wedding photographer Hugh Durham. "All professional photographers worth their salt have websites filled with information and samples of their work that provide a good basis for getting to know what you like in photographs."
But don't just take the photos on face value. "You can also request testimonials from the photographer's previous clients", adds photographer Mark Harrison. "Viewing images can show you the work he does but it's good to speak to people who've used their services to put your mind at rest about their reliability."
Less exciting a consideration but just as important is checking a photographer's availability. No matter how much you want a photographer, he or she won't be the one for you if they can't quite make it. A good photographer will have limited time available, especially at peak times, so booking early is advised. "Start looking for a photographer at least a year in advance", advises Hugh. "There's really no reason to wait once you've settled on a date and chosen the venue. Early booking is recommended, particularly during July and August, on bank holiday weekends and over the Christmas period as these tend to be the busiest times and photographers are usually limited to just one wedding per day."
There are thousands of photographers out there however, so you shouldn't find yourselves stuck. But, with so many candidates, how do you narrow it down?
"Choose a photographer who is a member of a professional photographers association", says Hugh. "This guarantees you're getting a pro. It also means there would be an equally professional back-up photographer supplied in case of emergency where your chosen photographer can't come."
As with most services though, the best advice is to shop around. "If you find a photographer you like, don't just stop there and settle", says photographer Catherine McAviney. "Try to interview at least three photographers or more. There could be a photographer whose work you prefer just a click away and you won't find out if you decide too soon. Plus, the price range and quality of work varies from one photographer to the other. Shopping around ensures you get what's right for you in both taste and value."
Consideration: Cost and Photography Packages
Speaking of the almighty dollar, how much should you expect to pay and how is the cost measured?
"While you could spend anything between $2,000 and $15,000, most couples pay about $2,000 to $4,000", reveals Mark. "Generally, the cost is based on the photography packages. Hourly rates / overtime should only apply if the wedding goes on longer than expected."
Packages are based on the number of photo's to be included in the album, the number of albums wanted and the choice of album itself. "There are lots of different types of albums", says Hugh. "The standard options include: a portrait or landscape album, plain black paper or something more detailed, choices of the quality of the paper, and then the photo-book album option which is designed to order."
While the more expensive packages may give you more choice, photographer Catherine maintains that paying more does not necessarily guarantee better quality. "There's not necessarily a relationship between cost and quality", she says. "You could find a photographer who's quite expensive but who is not very good. On the other hand, you could equally find a relatively cheap one whose work is in fact very impressive. It's certainly something to bear in mind."
Photography Styles: Know What You Want
Once you've chosen the right photographer, you now have to concentrate on getting the right photos for you. One way to do that is to find out what style of photographs you like (and dislike.)
"There are three styles of photos", says photographer Mark. "The traditional style is basically the old-school posed group and couple shots. Candid shots are photojournalistic in nature, covering things as they happen in a natural way. Then there's the fashion or contemporary style which is very posed, magazine-like and glamorous."
Knowing which style you like best is the key to being happy with your snaps. While most photographers usually shoot a combination of all three styles, any preferences should be voiced so your photographer can concentrate more heavily on what you want. You might be quite conventional and prefer the traditional style. "This style is vital, at least in part of the album", advises Mark. "These become the record shots of your day and are the ones you'll want to display on your wall and the ones your granny will expect. They also reflect the formal side of the day which is what a wedding is."
Formal, of course, can be a bit boring which is why you should mix traditional up a bit. "This style is quite predictable", says Hugh. "Because they're so formal they can end up looking unnatural and over-posed which good photos should never be." Over-posed is one thing that candid shots are not. If you want things done naturally, this is the way to go as it tells a story of your big day.
"These shots are the ones to concentrate on if you are someone who loves photos", says Catherine. "They tell a much better, more colorful story and capture the details that the busy bride might miss. They are also great for capturing on camera the guests who might otherwise not have appeared in the photos at all. Basically, if you like things natural, candid photos are for you."
Next: (Page 2) Photography Styles Continued, and Strike a Pose...
About the Author: Eva Hogan
Eva is a freelance journalist in Ireland. Having done some casual work for bridal magazine ‘Confetti', Eva's interest in writing wedding-related articles grew. A feature writer at heart, Eva writes articles offering tips, advice and basic information on tying the knot. Eva's only marriage plans involve a beach, a cocktail party and a certain Mr Depp.
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