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WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
July 22 2009 Of all the things that you will plan for your upcoming wedding, the photography is one aspect that you want to get right. After all, you will not have a second chance so you need to make sure you work with the best photographer money can buy and that you do not skimp. That might mean cutting back somewhere else but considering that the photographs will be a lifelong treasure, it would be worth it.
CHOOSING THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Although price will be a major deciding factor, there are actually factors that are far more important. It is important that you feel comfortable with the photographer and that he or she listens to you in order to create the type of photographs that you want.
If you are not sure where to find a qualified photographer, you might start by asking friends or family members who were recently married. If you do not know of anyone, then check your local listings or you can search for one on the internet. To ensure you choose the “right” photographer, you want to contact six or seven so you have something to compare.
Interview Process
You will first talk to the photographers on the phone to determine if they are available on the date of your wedding. If so, then you want to get answers to some general questions before you narrow your choice down for interviews, with the goal of interviewing at least four photographers. Some of the questions you will need answers to during your phone, conversation relates to the following:
• Number of years experience, specifically in taking wedding photographs
• Date of their most recent wedding
• Type of equipment used
• Work alone or with a partner
• Price estimate
• Photojournalism or videography experience
• Photographer philosophy
After you have narrowed the choices down, you would then schedule time for an interview. You should plan on a minimum of one hour each so you have ample time to ask additional questions. Additionally, it would best if both the bride and groom talk to the photographer in person so all the bases can be covered and different perspectives can be gained that might otherwise be overlooked.
Be sure you take a notebook and pen, and take tons of notes. After you have completed all the interviews, the two of you can sit down together to talk about the pros and cons of each photographer to determine which one would be best choice for your wedding.
Remember, that even if the photographer is pleasant, and seems to be honest, you want that and more, you want experience. Although it might be tempting to go with the person that seems more like a friend, keep in mind that this is a business transaction and something you cannot afford to mess up.
Education
You also want to educate yourself on the technical aspects of photography, which is something most couples overlook. This is important because it will help you ask the right questions and understand the answers. As an example, you might ask the photographer if he or she shoots with 35mm film or in medium format.
The reason this type of question is important is that if you decide later to have one of the wedding photos blown up to poster size, if the photographer uses only 35mm film, this could not be done while shooting in medium creates a negative that can be used for larger sizes without losing the integrity of the photograph.
Effects
This too is important in that it can take an ordinary photograph and turn it into something spectacular and unique. For instance, ask the photographer if he or she uses anything for special effects such as fish-eye lens, sepia tone, or infrared film. Just be sure the photographer has solid experience with special effects or you would simply be wasting your money.
References
When choosing the photographer, you always want to check his or her quality of work, which can be done by asking for references and looking at portfolios. You want a photographer that has experience with weddings but also a professional that uses high quality equipment. While asking for references is one-step, if you do not actually follow up on them, then you have missed the most important aspect of the interview.
STANDARD PACKAGES
As you interview the various photographers, you will discover that while most offer packages that are very similar in nature, others might offer packages that are more personalized.
Premium Photo Cards
For instance, you might find options that include premium photo cards, which hold individual photos and measure seven by three and one-quarter inches.
These cards will vary in price but typically, you would expect to pay around $4 per card. The only drawback is that you would need to buy them in a bulk order of 40 or more. The nice thing about using photo cards is that they make excellent placeholders at the reception or they can be used as thank you cards.
Enhancements
Another favorite choice for many couples is to enhance the wedding photos. This can be done by adding a border, special text, or technology where the photos can fade in and out. Additionally, you should try to find a photographer that uses either Fuji or Kodak technology. The reason is that being leaders in the photography industry, professionals can do all types of exciting things.
VIDEOGRAPHER
Along with professional photographs for your wedding, you might consider having videography instead of or in addition to a typical wedding photographer. With new technology, videography has become a sophisticated option. Because of this, it is an ideal choice for many occasions, especially weddings. A very popular option is SVHS, or video cameras, which perform exceptionally well in mood lighting, which is common at weddings.
By hiring a videographer, you will capture your wedding in a beautiful and unique manner. Working with a professional videographer will give you a huge advantage of having something new and exciting that you will enjoy for a lifetime. Just keep in mind that just like with photographer, there are different styles and prices for videography.
You want to meet with the videographer to make sure he or she has proper expertise and understands the things important to you on your wedding day. Additionally, the videographer will need to know what your budget is so that the proper package can be established. An important note is that before you hire a videographer, be sure to get permission from the management or minister of where the wedding and reception will be held since some places do not allow taping.
Some information to help make the decision-making process easier includes the following:
• Real Time – This style of videography is where the taping will begin as the guests start to arrive and will continue until the end of the reception. The result of the film is straightforward and requires no editing and no interruptions. Only one camera is used in this case so if you happen to be on a tight budget, this would be a great option.
• Nostalgia – For this style, the video begins with photographs of the bride and groom from children. It would then show video of them in high school, college, dating, and so on. Next, the video would show special moments that the couple shared while dating and then move to the wedding day and reception. Often, taping of the honeymoon is included and depending on your preference, the tape might include narration, music, or special effects.
• Wedding and Documentary – Finally, the wedding ceremony and reception are filmed as a documentary. With this type of video, it tells a story of the bride and groom’s lives, as a couple. In most cases, the tape would show the bride and groom getting ready for the wedding, include many candid shots, and would have interviews from people that are close to the couple. Of the three styles of videography, this is the most popular. Additionally, you can have two cameras filming at the same time so that more footage can be captured. The one drawback is that the film would need to be heavily edited, therefore costing the most.
USING DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
One option that many couples are considering is having a friend or family member that knows something about photography to capture the wedding with a digital camera. The huge advantage is that since the shot can be seen immediately with a digital camera and redone if needed, the person taking the photos does not necessarily have to be a professional.
Taking digital photographs are easy and quick. The key is using the right type of digital camera, one intended for professional results. While a non-professional can buy a good quality digital camera for $500, if a professional will be using this type of camera, typically, these high-end digital cameras range in price from $3,500 to $7,000 or more. However, for the price, they have high resolution and pixel size, providing the photographer with all the necessary settings and options for quality photographers.
Additionally, with this type of camera, the photographer has more options for being creative. As an example, he or she can change angles, cropping, lighting, and so on. You will also discover that the quality is outstanding. Another huge advantage is that the images captured on the digital camera can be uploaded to a computer or CD. This means for family members or friends living far away and not able to attend the wedding, they can receive a copy of the wedding and see it as though they were there in person.
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