ALT-1 Tips for Ensuring Great Wedding Photography
As a bride, your wedding day is going to pass in a blur. It will be filled with moments you want to remember for the rest of your life, such as that first kiss, your father giving you away, the best man's toast, and your niece as a flower girl. Although you would like to think your own memory will hold all of those precious experiences, a picture will capture and preserve each moment. A picture also makes it possible to share it with your family and future family members, such as your children.
When choosing a photographer, it can seem daunting and expensive. Preparing will avoid many pitfalls.
1. Give the photographer a list of 'must have' pictures. Many photographers have a standard set of pictures they will always take, but this may or may not be the same pictures you want. If you must have a picture of you with your father or a particular bridesmaid, tell the photographer. If certain family members should not be placed next to each other for pictures (such as divorced parents or rival siblings), make sure your photographer is aware of this before the wedding.
2. Ask your photographer what is included in the price. Questions may include: If he is taking 100 or 200 pictures, how they will be sent to you and when you will have the final product. Many photographers offer 'wedding packages' which vary in price and services. Inquire in these packages and compare them to individually priced options, if available.
3. Ask if you can buy your negatives. It is much cheaper and easier to make more prints in the future if you have the negatives.
4. Discuss the venue and placement of the pictures with the photographer. If you want pictures in front of the building, say so. If you do not want any pictures by the ugly window, make sure they know.
5. Consult with your photographer on your color scheme. Some colors will make more of a dramatic statement in film, others are more subtle. Make sure your colors will reflect the tone of your wedding.
6. Research your photographer. If you can get a referral from a friend, that may save some time. An easy way to begin your research is on their website, which should include samples of the pictures they have taken. You may also contact your Better Business Bureau.
7. Have a contract. If your photographer doesn't provide you with a contract, insist on having one that states the date of your wedding, the terms of your agreement, including the services he is providing, the price and a cancellation policy. A contract protects both you and the photographer from any misunderstanding.
Remember, it is your wedding day. Your pictures will capture all the special moments of that day. Taking these steps will prepare you and your photographer before the wedding day, which will reduce stress on the wedding day and ensure beautiful pictures to last a lifetime.
