Wedding Flowers

Your wedding photographs will be the longest lasting reminder of your wedding day.  Long after the frozen top tier of wedding cake has been eaten,  and as the anniversaries tick by, your wedding photographs will remain in frames and albums as constant reminders of the happy day that you got married.   It is no wonder then, that your wedding photography is one of the most important aspects of your wedding.

Photographs can be formal, posed shots,  or candid images documenting your day. You should spend time thinking about the style of photographs that you want,  and try to find a photographer who you trust to capture the overall feel of your wedding.  You should also choose a photographer who you get along well with,  as they will be sharing some of the most intimate moments of your wedding day, and mingling amongst all of your guests.

Your wedding photography is one of the most important elements of your wedding day experience.  So how do you make sure everything runs smoothly and you get the best out of your wedding photographer?

Your first step for getting great photography at your wedding is to select a photographer who you feel comfortable with.  You should be able to chat to your photographer about what is most important to you about your special day, so that he can get a feel for what to capture.  Your photographer will be present throughout your wedding day, and will be interacting with your guests and other suppliers, so it is vital that you feel that he will get along well with everyone.  Try to steer clear of temperamental or bossy photographers who may ruin a sentimental moment by losing their temper, or barking instructions at your family and friends.  If they work with an assistant or partner, you should also meet them at least once before your wedding too.

You should view a photographer’s full portfolio before deciding to hire them.  Ask how recent the albums are.  A big studio may have several photographers, and assistants so you should also check that the photographer you meet with is the one who took the images you like, and will be the one at your wedding.  Get references from brides.  If possible, get a phone number or an email address to contact the bride directly.  Most good photographers will have at least one or two satisfied customers who will be happy to talk to other brides about their experience.

If you are not having a professional photographer then try to get at least one person with a bit of photography experience to take the most important shots.  Ask them to practice with their camera and go over their work with them to see if you like their style.   There are lots of good websites and magazines that offer advice and tips for photography,  where someone can brush up their skills for your wedding day.   Having a second or back up photographer working from a different angle, or with a different type of camera or lens, will mean twice as many images, and double your chances of getting just the right shots.

You and your photographer should be familiar with the locations and venues of each element of the day, so that you know the best places to take photographs.  Speak to the officiant at the church to check on any restrictions for photography.  Some churches do not allow flashes, while others may not allow photography at all.  Think about places that will offer attractive backgrounds, unusual angles, and good lighting opportunities.  Check on availability of power points if required for any professional photography equipment.   Make sure you know if any areas are off limited, or out of bounds, before the big day.  There is no point in dreaming of a romantic shot of you and your new husband next to the waterlily pond if you are not allowed to enter that area of the grounds.

Be clear about what you want, such as close ups, soft focus, etc.  Decide if you want traditional photographs,  or want the photographer to explore more creative, artistic shots.  You should also give the photographer a checklist of shots that you want from the wedding.   Include images that you would like from all parts of the day, as well as candid shots of your guests, and formal poses of your wedding party.  By giving your photographer clear instructions before-hand, you will have less to worry about on the day itself.

Websites:
http://digital-photography-school.com
http://www.weddingphotousa.com/
www.amateurphotographer.com