Every bride imagines the perfect wedding pictures, but few are able to tell the photographer exactly what they want. Fewer still interview photographers with all the necessary information for the photographer already available.
Here are some tips for the bride to make life easier for the photographer and your pictures better for you. The more you can explain your vision of the perfect picture to the photographer, the more likely he is going to be to find it.
First, have an idea where you will be taking family photos and who will be included. These formal photos of the wedding can make or break your memories of the special day and the photographers need to know where he will be shooting and how many people.
For example, if you are shooting indoors, he may need to bring and set up studio quality lights. These lights will need to be removed before the ceremony unless you want your wedding looking like a movie set, but they may be needed for your group photos.
If you are planning to take the pictures outdoors, talk to the photographer about what happens if you have to relocate because of rain or other bad weather.
Second, and preferably before you talk to the photographer, talk to your minister, priest or judge about photos taken during the ceremony. Preferences and policies can vary widely minister to minister and location to location. One church here forbids taking photos during the actual ceremony, saying it intrudes on the sacredness of the event.
This is not the kind of information you want to find out at the rehearsal dinner, after you’ve already paid a photographer to shoot the ceremony. And, sure, if this is your church’s policy, you can re-enact the moment later for the benefit of the camera, but if that is the plan, you will need extra time with the photographer between the ceremony and the reception. If you want pictures coming down the aisle, then the photographer needs to know what restrictions he has to work with.
Next, make arrangements for the photographer to tour the wedding location before the ceremony if it is not a commonly used site. Nothing can ruin your perfect wedding pictures faster than bad lighting. Also, if you are changing the lighting dramatically with candles or spotlights or even turning off overhead lighting for a more romantic feel, be sure to let your photographers know before he gets there on your wedding day. This will affect everything from whether he needs a tripod to whether additional lighting is necessary.
Fourth, if Aunt Suzy or the mother of the bride has a problem standing for long periods of time due to health conditions, be sure to let the photographer know and plan ahead to make arrangements for her comfort during the family pictures. Depending on the size of the wedding party, these photos can take hours, so plan accordingly. A nice alternative in this case would be to have the mother seated and the wedding party situated around her, but that requires an appropriate chair and planning ahead.
Likewise, if Aunt Suzy and Aunt Jan don’t get along, let the photographer know so that he can separate them in your photos and keep everyone smiling. If you are planning to include children in the wedding party, talk to the photographer ahead of time and plan to take their pictures at a time when the children are well-rested and relaxed.
Fifth, ask the photographer if they will be attending the rehearsal. If the photographer is not attending the rehearsal, make sure you have informed the photographer of any changes in the wedding program. One church has the bride and groom step away from the altar and turn to face the audience as they take their vows. This can lead to a photographer who is seriously out of place and misses your first kiss.
Finally, let the photographer in on your little secrets. If you do not personally know the photographer taking your wedding pictures, tell them a bit about yourself and what type of memories you want to have of you r wedding. Just because he has shot hundreds of other weddings, doesn’t make his standard pictures perfect for you. One bride may want only the formal shots in the church and another may be happiest with the pre-wedding shots of her painting her toenails.
Look through other wedding collections the photographer has taken, not just with an eye for quality, but also for an eye for the unique. If you see something he shot at another wedding and really like it, or really hate it, ask him to make a note of it, so that he remembers on your wedding day. Chances are, that day, you’ll be too busy with other things to micro-manage the photos. So, do it beforehand.
These are just a few of the simple steps you can take to try to help the professionals plan the best wedding photos for you. Without your help, the photographer cannot get the perfect shots of your wedding. Technically excellent photos can be all wrong if they aren’t what you are looking for, so make the effort to let him know what you want. After all, this is your day and you are the one that has to be satisfied.
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