Shooting with the Right Stuff Your uncle (or friend) will probably use the photo gear he already has. That might be a 35 mm SLR (single-lens-reflex) camera with a couple of lenses. Or maybe a point-and-shoot instamatic model with hopefully a new set of batteries for the flash. His favorite film may or may not be appropriate for a wedding. In fact, he may just buy whatever brand is on sale that week.
The pro has a set of professional cameras, lenses, flash units, and accessories, including back-ups. He knows which lens to use for a romantic close-up, and which one is right for the whole dance floor. He knows how to light a scene and he uses professional film which is perfect for the occasion. White gown, black tux, pink bridesmaids' dresses, red flowers, delicate skin tones -- whatever the subject or the light, the images will look great!
Staying Focused Your uncle (or friend) may be your photographer, but he's also your guest. At the beginning he's sure to be full of enthusiasm. After a while, however, his attention may wander. Perhaps he'll forget to take a group shot of Table 9 (the in-laws he's never liked). Or be loading his camera when the first dance begins. He has taken on a lot of responsibility, and even if he volunteered for the job he may be burdened by it.
The professional knows what you want, and knows how to get it. He is attuned to the rhythms of the event, including the absolutely essential highlights and the more relaxed, revealing moments. He knows how to gather people for group shots, and make them all look good. He knows when to get close and when to back off. The bottom line is that the professional is a knowledgeable outsider at the wedding, who is there to fulfill your desires without spoiling your fun.
What Comes Next? Your uncle (or friend) will take your wedding films to his local cheap one-hour mini lab -- maybe at a discount store or a chemist (certainly not a professional lab which produces hand prints to demanding specifications of pro photographers). If all goes well, he will hand you the packets of negatives and prints. Then you're on your own.
The professional takes his film to a professional lab, which specializes in the type of film he uses and which produces exhibition quality hand prints to the demanding specifications of professional photographers. The lab's printer is optimized for this film as well, so color and exposure are true to life. The photographer, working with the same professional lab, arranges and takes care of all reprints and enlargements. Those reprints and enlargements will then be of exactly the same high quality and standards as your original set of prints.
Your wedding takes only a few hours, but you will enjoy the photographs for a lifetime. Why not use a professional photographer who will make them as memorable as the event itself!!
What Kind of Pictures are Right for Me?Every bride is different; every professional photographer is different.
You want to find a photographer with a style you admire, whose personality complements your own. Finding the right one is an adventure, which leads you to great wedding pictures.
Meet with your photographer and look carefully at his portfolio's. Does he seem to understand your desires and concerns? Often brides prefer a casual, "photojournalist" approach. Mostly candid pictures of unposed activities, taken by a photographer who can react quickly and anticipate the next significant happening. An artistic professional can produce images that are spontaneous, light, and energetic. Even though they look natural, the pictures should still be beautiful, with good lighting and backgrounds. This style captures the feeling and spirit of the occasion with lots of great expressions and interaction.
Although most weddings are done in color, sepia (brown tint) is back in style. It can be done in a posed or an informal style, or mixed. Sepia tinted photographs requires a somewhat different approach to look good, so make sure to see your photographer's previous sepia pictures. It can have a wonderfully "artistic" look. Make sure that you ask your photographer to capture the majority of the events on your wedding day in colour and only selected images in sepia -- you don't want to lose the pleasing colors of the event, such as pink bridesmaids' dresses, red roses, etc.
You may want to consider having video as well as still pictures taken at your wedding. Like everything else, this is a matter of personal taste. Many wedding photographers also offer video, which tends to produce far better results than the typical snapshots -- for the same reasons that the professional takes better pictures. Sound and motion create an extremely realistic record of the day.
Everyone will always want to look at your wedding photographs. And why shouldn't they?Photographs are very special, and the difference between having beautiful photographs and bad out of focus photographs is all in the choosing of the wedding photographer.
There are a few simple things you should take into consideration when hiring the wedding photographer:
Budget You are going to need to decide just how much of your budget you are willing to spend on your wedding photographs. I would suggest not spending to little as these are going to be the memories you will have as the years go by. Remember that the bad quality prints will be remembered long after the cheap price is forgotten!!
Style Decide on what style of wedding photographs you want. When you look at prospective photographers portfolios, you need to try and picture yourselves in that type of photograph. Ask yourself: "Does this style suite us?".
Experience The experience the photographer has will make a big difference. The more experience he has, the more likely he will be able to take photographs that suit your personalities. The important thing is that you and your partner need to feel comfortable and relaxed with your photographer.
Appearance Your photographer should always be in the "background" of your wedding while capturing everything which is happening in the foreground!
Turn around time Be sure to find out from the photographer how long it will take for the photographs to be ready. A good time is not longer than two weeks.
Your best resource is people you know. Ask around, look at other wedding photographs. Do you like the photos? Are the photo colors bright and clear and are the pictures in focus and dust free? Are the group photos nicely composed? Do the poses look natural and spontaneous? Is there detail in the bride's dress and cake? Would you want that wedding photographs as your own? The photographer's personality can make or break your wedding.
A good experienced photographer is patient, professional, friendly, always smiling. Only this type of person can motivate a large group into action.
