| Finding the right Wedding Photographer | | | | ceremony etc. then be very careful about this style. |
| Choosing a wedding photographer depends on a | | | | Traditional wedding photographs: |
| number of different criteria. You need to have a clear | | | | The complete opposite of the photo journalistic style, |
| idea of what's involved in choosing a wedding | | | | this is the one we all know. It means endless poses |
| photographer that's right for you. | | | | of the bridge and groom, the best man, the bride's |
| Reputation and Experience: these days digital | | | | parents, the groom's parents, everyone together, |
| photography has given everyone the power to take | | | | cute page boys - you get the idea. Usually a wedding |
| good images, but only true professionals with talent | | | | photographer in this style will have done the same |
| and training can provide you with a professional | | | | prepared set of shots with the same camera |
| service. A persona recommendation is often a good | | | | positions and lighting, even at the same venues, |
| starting point. You cannot afford a 'no show' or a | | | | dozens of times. It isn't exactly spontaneous or |
| botched job. You only have one chance to get your | | | | original but it does record the event and people for |
| wedding photography right and you have to be able | | | | posterity. |
| to trust the photographer. | | | | Artistic wedding photography style: |
| Someone who will fit in: You need to shop around | | | | This is another planned and posed style but makes |
| and meet the wedding photographer. There's nothing | | | | uses location, composition, unusual angles and digital |
| worse than hiring someone whose personality or | | | | rendering to produce something between candid and |
| style does not fit the occasion. Most wedding | | | | traditional. But beware: some artistic photographers |
| photographers try to be as unobtrusive as possible | | | | can be a little 'off the wall; - make sure you see |
| and behave like and look like a guest. | | | | several examples of their style before choosing. |
| Will they take photographs we actually like? Take a | | | | What Should I Pay For A Wedding Photographer? |
| look at their work and decide if this is the style for | | | | Answering that question is like answering 'how long is |
| you. | | | | a piece of string?' You must make a decision based |
| Do they offer a wide range of packages to provide | | | | on your overall budget. Decide what percentage of |
| choice to meet our budget? Always key to choosing | | | | your budget is required for professional wedding |
| the right wedding photographer: they have to fit | | | | photography. |
| your budget with no hidden costs. | | | | What you must ensure is that you get value for |
| When Should You Book Your Wedding | | | | money. This means you have to do a bit of research, |
| Photographer? | | | | ask friends what they paid and look for |
| The sooner the better. 9-12 months before is a good | | | | recommendations. |
| rule of thumb. Why so long? Well, like a wedding | | | | A typical price range is from $1000 to $3000. It could |
| venue can get fully booked, so can a wedding | | | | be a lot more but not a lot less unless you just want |
| photographer. Most only work at weekends and | | | | the photographer to show up and leave you to. |
| there isn't that many weekends in a year. And while | | | | To decide what you should pay means you have to |
| you are at it, make sure you are not being provided | | | | understand what you want and the service you |
| with an assistant rather than the main man or | | | | require. |
| woman. | | | | Some questions to consider:o Do you just want the |
| What Are The Different Styles of Wedding | | | | negatives/digital files to 'do it yourself' or a complete |
| Photography On Offer? | | | | professional service?o Type and style of albums?o |
| These days there is much greater choice than just | | | | The final number of photographs required?o The |
| the traditional wedding photographs. | | | | range of photographs: is it just the wedding |
| A wedding as an exercise in photojournalism | | | | ceremony, or will it covers the whole day including |
| This approach turns the wedding experience into a | | | | reception?o The reputation and previous work of the |
| story with a beginning and end and covers a number | | | | wedding photographer. |
| of styles which can be very individual to the | | | | Summing it all up |
| photographer. It will usually employ a number of | | | | Like everything else, wedding photography has |
| locations which are pertinent to the bride and groom's | | | | changed and the digital age has offered many new |
| 'story'. | | | | opportunities. Make sure you plan ahead and make |
| The style is usually described as 'candid' and shot | | | | the choices you and the families involved will be |
| using available light. If any of your family hankers | | | | comfortable with. You only get one chance to create |
| after traditional planned shots of family groups, the | | | | a wedding album which you will cherish for a lifetime. |