So few brides have a good grasp on what it will take to produce excellent photographs. So I am writing this little guide.
Some have asked me how to have terrific wedding photography. Information and patience is the key. If the photographer has provided you with a questionaire or similar, fill it out and get it back to the photographer as soon as possible. This information allows the photographer to anticipate the days activities. Likewise if you have provided your photographer with a "shot list" please also assign someone from you family that knows who everyone is to gather the necessary people for each shot.
If anything changes with the plans, notify the photographer in person or over the phone, voice to voice. Do not leave messages or send emails when it is an important change. You need to know that the photographer in question has received the information directly.
If you are having your hair/makeup done professionally, the day of the wedding, allow an extra half hour or so above and beyond what they actually tell you. You are paying them for the style, but you are paying us by the hour. I can't remember how many times I am left standing around in a church, ready and waiting, because the hair person took too long. But what happens is that the clock starts on the agreed upon time, whether or not the bride is ready to be photographed. This will almost always push the photography into overtime.
One of the biggest dilemmas that our couple face is when to take the formal photographs. Ideally, all formals would be completed prior to the wedding, allowing the couple to proceed directly to the reception. One way to reduce the amount of time the waiting guests need to endure is to do both sides of the wedding party separately prior to the ceremony and then the combined group following the service. Typically, I start with the groom and his groomsman, followed by groom and parents and groom and family. This allows the bride a few moments more to get ready. Then after the groom has hidden himself away, we will shoot the bride and bridal party with bride and parents and bride and family. Then following the ceremony all we need to do is entire wedding party, bride and groom, and family shots.
If you have chosen a classical style of portraiture for your wedding formals, this will take a bit more time to set up and should allow extra time accordingly.
"What about the type of photography you see in the magazines?" A typical magazine or glamour style shoot is at a location that is usually different from the wedding venue. These are usually shot prior to the wedding. If you do want to have a location photograph made, please discuss this in detail with your photographer. Most photographers will jump at the chance to do such shots as they are great for portfolios as well.
One thing I try to do for my clients to arrange a place for the groom to see the bride for the first time. This will give them both a beautiful memory and properly choreographed will give me a great photo opportunity.
If you choose to have your photographs done after the ceremony please have checked with your ceremony venue to be certain they don't mind staying open later. It will take at least 90 minutes for a small wedding party, for example a wedding party of 2 groomsmen and 2 bridesmaids.
For photographs you will need full cooperation of your wedding party. Make sure that everyone knows when the photographs will be taken and that are ready.
Adding videography, one bride just mentioned to me that the only thing we did wrong with her wedding was not insisting that they get videography as well. Our videography packages add on for only an extra $500 when compared to the going rate for entire videography crew is an average of $1500; it is quite a savings. The reason for the savings is that my videography crew can double as my assistance during the formals. This saves me a great deal of money and trouble, thus I pass the savings on the bride and groom.
Finding diamonds in the rough - after all the ceremony site photographs and the reception photographs are planned, you will want to have a look around and use a little imagination. Area gardens or parks, sometimes even just an outdoor evergreen will provide some special background or sentimental meaning to your photos.
And my last bit of advice, if you have provided a timetable of events for the reception to the DJ, fire off a copy to your photographer. The photographer and DJ need to work together to make your reception a flawless piece of art.
So now, relax and enjoy your special day.
No comments:
Post a Comment