Wedding photography is the frosting to your cake … the flower to your stem … the diamond to your ring. Get the picture? You can’t have a wedding without photography — so why not make it stellar? Below, local photographers give the inside scoop on making magic with the lens.
1. GO PRO
“Our biggest piece of advice is to choose an experienced, professional WEDDING photographer. Don’t put the responsibility of capturing those priceless moments in the hands of a well-meaning friend or relative (even if that’s their wedding gift to you!),” says Amy Hixson of Dan Hixson Photography. “We have had many couples call us in frustration and tears AFTER they had a ‘friend’ shoot their wedding pictures, and they wondered if we could do anything to fix them. This is so sad for us to hear, because they can’t really get that day back — and it’s completely preventable if you hire the right person to begin with.”
Ryan Pearson, of Fotogenix, agrees.
“Hire a professional photographer and make sure you love his or her work and style,” he says. “Photography is the only part of your wedding that lasts forever.”
2. ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS
Bryant Livingston recommends asking your photographer “what if” questions before you book:
1. Do you carry a back-up camera and lighting equipment? This may sound silly, but many aspiring photographers have not accomplished this yet.
2. As a potential client, are the images you are seeing actually from the photographer you are booking? (Many studios contract with more than one photographer. Get assurances you won’t get a stranger or “stand in” if another bride comes in and has a bigger photography budget and your same wedding day.)
3. What is your back-up plan in case of emergency?
4. What is included in the package, or do I buy a la carte? Just make sure whomever you use, they will be flexible enough to accommodate your needs and requests.
3. GET THE WHOLE PACKAGE
“A lot of brides are so focused on getting their digital images on a disk they pay little attention to what else a photographer might have to offer,” says Jessie Evans of Jessie Alexis Photography. “Often, when a bride receives nothing but her photos on a CD, they don’t make it past Facebook or personal blogs. Make sure your photographer is also offering something tangible, like an album or prints you can display in your home.”
Glen Ricks, of Glen Ricks Photography, concurs.
“The trend right now seems to be having the photographs taken and a CD or DVD made,” he says. “Remember, hard copies (like a finished wedding album — not proofs) will always withstand the test of time. How many of your parents still listen to 8-track tapes? That technology is gone now — and CDs and DVDs will be, too, in a few years”
4. BE PREPARED
“Have a personal consultation (either in person or over the phone) with your photographer before you book,” Amy says. “Take the time to talk about your preferred photography style for each session shoot. Ask questions about outfit choices and makeup tips; discuss locations for shoots that fit your personal style; go over the timing of the wedding day and map out every aspect of the wedding photography together! It helps to identify any potential scheduling snafus (like not having enough time between the wedding and reception to get all the desired pictures) and make sure everyone is on the same page. Plus, it’s fun to meet each other and establish a comfortable working relationship before we start to capture those priceless moments together!”
5. CONTINUITY OR BUST
“Do an engagement shoot with the photographer you will be using on your wedding day,” says Terra Cooper of Magnifique Photography. “This allows the photographer to get used to you as a couple and learn how to photograph you best and capture your personality. Plus, these are the pictures you are sending out to all your family and friends — even some that will not be at the wedding — so they might be the only pictures they see of you and your fiance!”
6. LOVE THEM!
“Find someone you love … both for their style as well as their personality,” says Jon Woodbury, of Jon Woodbury Photography. “You’ll end up spending more time with your photographer on your wedding day than you will with any of your wedding party or guests, so you want to be sure you’ll have a good time together. Remember … if you wouldn’t invite them to your wedding, why would you pay them to be there?”
7. TRUST THEM!
“Once you’ve chosen your photographer, trust them. They’ll make sure your hair is in place and you are in the most flattering pose,” says McKenzie Deakins, of Photography by McKenzie. “So, don’t stress the little things on your wedding day. Let your photographer take control so you can enjoy the moment.”
8. GO FOR GROOMALS
“Try to move photos of yourself and your groom off of your actual wedding day,” says Nichole V. of Nichole V. Photography. “Those beautiful, creative images of the bride and groom together are always the first images to get cut out of a busy wedding day. It really lessens your stress on the wedding day if you know you already have those shots. Also, if the weather is uncooperative, you know you already have those important images.”
9. POSERS BE GONE
“Don’t be worried about posing and whether you look all right — your photographer will tell you if you don’t,” says Ashlee Clark of Ashlee Elizabeth Photography. “Especially when it comes to pictures of you and your fiance, just be natural.”
Kristen Ising, of Studio Lush, agrees.
“I like to coach my bride and groom on how to be comfortable together in front of the camera,” she says. “I tell them to live and feel the emotions they are having. Photography should be art that reflects those real emotions.”
10. DANCE THE TALKING AWAY
“Don’t talk through your whole first couple’s dance together,” says Annalisa Rosenvall, of Annalisa Photography. “A little talking is fine because all photographers like spontaneous smiles, but also stare into each other’s eyes and smile through the song so the photographer can make sure they get some romantic shots.”
11. RELAX
“Have fun, laugh, smile and enjoy your special day,” says Suzanna Higginson, of Tender Treasures Photography. “When you’re having fun, it shows.”
12. BALANCE THE TRENDS
“Gauge your visual tastes and mix that with your bias toward trends,” Bryant says. “Include key images in your album that showcase your own personal style and tell your story. Make sure they are composed well and have key elements in them. Most important here is to enjoy looking at your album five, 10, 20 years down the line. You don’t want your wedding album to turn into the 1980s fluorescent colored, puffy sleeved bridesmaid dress. It looked great that year, but it’s terrible now.”
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