Finding a photographer
As with any supplier you have to do your research. Decide on the look you are after. Traditional or informal? Set pieces or reportage? Colour or black and white?
We believe that a good photographer can use all of these styles. Reportage, i.e. informal candid style of photography where people are not formally posed but are caught "off guard", is all the rage at the moment and is an excellent way of capturing the feel of your wedding. However, it is also nice to have a few formal photographs which you will want to frame (as will your relatives) as you have all the right people there at the right time.
If any of your friends have recently got married, ask to see their albums to get ideas. Ask around for recommendations. Remember that you are not only getting photos out of this, you need a working relationship on the day, so the personality of the photographer is also important. It is quite likely that the photographer comes with a partner or assistant as they have a lot of equipment to get a variety of different shots so try and meet both.
Top Tips
- Ask the photographer to show their portfolio.
- Do they do any other media e.g. a CD with a slide show?
- What different album styles do they do e.g. covers, mounting, digital printed ones (no mounting) etc?
- How many formal photographs do they recommend?
- What prices do they charge for reprints, different media and for the copyright of the photos?
- State what parts of the day you want photographed and agree up front when they start and when they finish
- Don't limit yourself; you can have different albums capturing different aspects
- How many photos in the album and do they or you chose the layout?
- Remember they are the professionals so do listen to them and try and build a good rapport with them. Go with your instinct though. You are going to spend quite a bit of time with them on the day so if you don't like them, it is a nonstarter!
Planning your pictures
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Agree with the photographer how many formal photos you want. Be strict about this. Our advice is don't go for too many because you will end up spending most of your afternoon doing photographs when you want to spend it with your guests
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Agree with the photographer what parts of the day they are to cover. For example, it is quite common now for the Bride and/or the Groom to be photographed as they get ready. This is nice as it gives more of a story for the final wedding album - a kind of before and after!
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Do you want them there for the whole day including the cutting of the cake, speeches and first dance?
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Be prepared for some relatives, e.g. your Great Aunt Agatha, who may want to be in a formal photo; try and manage people's expectations and remember whilst the day is all about you, it is nice to get mementos of the occasion that include everyone
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Photographers will use black and white film as well as colour. Today most photographers use digital cameras which gives them many more options and they can decide later whether to make a shot colour or monochrome. Digital cameras also allow them to enhance and retouch photographs later on, giving you a better quality photograph.
On the day
One the day just let the photographer get on with it. They are the professionals. Don't be afraid to say you have had enough (remember what we said earlier about not having too long a formal photo shoot) or that you are not sure about the setting
Making your Selection
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Don't rush into making your final decision as to which photos go into the album. The thing to remember is that the album is your recollection of the day.
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Most photographers now have websites which allow your guests the opportunity to see the photos online for a period of time and to order reprints themselves.
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Photographers tend to retain the copyright of their work. This can usually be purchased for a one-off fee and will allow you a digital copy of the photographs which you can distribute and make copies of it you so wish
If you follow all of this, you should have a clear and fruitful relationship with your photographer and the wonderful memories of your big day will be captured forever
