Wedding
Photography: Preserving the Memories
by:
Colin Hartness
A
person’s wedding can be one of the most important times in their
life. They will have memories that they want to treasure forever
and then pass on to their children. Wedding photography helps
them do this. Having pictures taken at the wedding and then at
the reception can capture those precious memories in
freeze-frame and help you keep them forever.
Pictures
are important so you want to be sure you get good photos, high
quality photos that you can enjoy forever.
Most
people will have a wedding book designed out of the collection
of the best wedding photos. Usually the photographer will do
this for you. You will then have a beautiful scrapbook from your
wedding to hold your memories.
Choosing
a photographer is a very important step in your wedding
pictures. You want someone experienced that will do an excellent
job for you. It’s possible that you may be on a budget and price
may be a factor as well.
How Do
You Choose a Wedding Photographer?
There
are several things you are going to want to look for with the
most important being the quality of the work. It would be great
if you could find a photographer that you had seen in action,
perhaps at a family member or friend’s wedding. The hardest part
of choosing a wedding photographer is that you sign a contract
and agree to pay before you have ever seen the photos. That’s
how it works in the world of wedding photography; you must make
your decision based of faith in the photographer. So how do you
make a decision like this?
Referrals
First,
you are going to want to look at referrals. Ask your friends or
family members who did their weddings and start compiling a
list. You will also need to verify that these people are still
photographing. Ask everyone you can about their wedding and
their wedding pictures. Most people will even let you see their
wedding photos and you can check out the photographer’s work.
Experience & Samples
Aside
from samples from people you know, you can ask the photographer
himself about samples. You can call the photographers on your
list and do an interview over the phone or make an appointment
to meet in person. This is your chance to ask the photographer
any questions you may have such as their experience, what
training they have and what different types of photography they
have studied. If you are doing an in-person interview, the
photographer can show you portfolios of samples of their work.
If doing a phone interview, that ends well, you may want to go
in person and see a portfolio.
Schedule
and Appointment
When you
have chose the photographer you think you want to use, you will
have to schedule several appointments. The bride and groom, the
bride’s parents and anyone else who may be taking part in paying
for the wedding should be present at these meetings regarding
the wedding photography.
At these
meetings, you will discuss price, payment schedule and possible
deposits. Next you will discuss the plan for taking the photos.
Many people also get video and digital photographs now. Do you
want these? Will your photographer be able to provide these?
Will there be extra fees?
Many
people have specific plans as to what they want pictures of
(e.g. bride and father coming down the aisle, bride and groom,
rings exchanging, the kiss, the bridesmaids, etc.) This is your
chance to get all this written down so that the photographer is
sure to get all the shots you want. Other people give their
photographers a little more freedom to decide what pictures will
be good to take.
Be sure
to ask any questions you have about this important event. Your
wedding photography is important to you so don’t hesitate to be
clear about what you want.
by Colin
Hartness
http://www.asaphotography.com
 |