You may be asking yourself, ‘Do I really need a wedding photo check list?’. Absolutely! After all, the Photographer needs some type of template to go by so they know exactly what you want to see in your Wedding Day photos. This way you can avoid post-wedding regret about photos not taken, any decent wedding photographer worth their salt will have a broad idea of what moments to capture, but it doesn’t hurt to have a to-do list on hand. The following is a template that you can refine and hone to match your own unique style:
· Shot of Wedding Invitations — Keep the design simple but elegant, if you are feeling adventurous there are several places you can design your own wedding invitation cards. (etsy.com and canva.com spring to mind.)
· Bride/Bridesmaids getting hair done — This can be a lot of fun and a great way to relax before the big event.
· Bride putting on putting on dress/veil with help from mother of the bride.
· First Look — Some couples choose to spend a few quiet moments together before the ceremony as a way of calming the nerves before it begins. And this moment is captured by the photographer.
· Accessories — After spending so long preparing everything, its only natural to want it captured on film or photo.
· Bridal Portrait — Do not be a shrinking violet, show off that dress and amazing shoes.
· Groom Photo — It is his time to shine, tux and beaming smile from ear-to-ear.
· Wedding Portrait — After the ceremony, sneak away with your photographer and take some intimate snaps of just the two of you.
· The Walk Down The Aisle — No wedding photo set is complete without a picture of the happy couple tying-the-knot.
· First Kiss — Your first kiss of married bliss.
· The Cake — Do not forget to take a lasting image of your magnificent wedding cake.
· Cutting Of The Cake — Also a great opportunity to show off that sparkling ring as well.
· The Dance Party — Time to boogie the night away, your photographer will capture your best dance floor moves.
Finding the perfect photography style to match your vision is especially important, take your time and do your homework when it comes to choosing the imagery you want. Sit down with your future spouse and come to an agreement on exactly what you want from your photographer. Its wise to meet your potential photographer beforehand this way you can check out their previous work and discuss a price that suits you.
Sending some relevant information about you and your partner, what you expect the photographer to do, venue, wedding style etc. Of course you should be mindful most photographers will only show you their best work so its perhaps a prudent idea to ask for a range of weddings that have worked on to see a whole spectrum of what they have done in the past. Things to look for could be:
· Sharpness of images — Are the photos clear and in focus?
· Mindful Compositions — Has the photo been taken correctly? the last thing you need are photos taken at strange angles and with someone’s head chopped off.
· Naturalness of Frame — Does it look natural and not rehearsed? People looking slightly off-camera while their body is towards the camera is a dead give-away.
Being in tune and having a good relationship with your photographer is key in getting the result you want, having someone who ‘gets you’ and is keen to share your vision is a good litmus test of things to come. After all, aside from your spouse-to-be your photographer will be right there with you as you celebrate the big day. A professional photographer will know when to capture the moment and involve your guests and family without getting in the way and being a nuisance.
Prices vary wildly when it comes to hiring someone to capture you wedding photos, anywhere from $2000 to $15,000+ depending on what you are looking for. Its important to seek out what is involved in a standard package deal. On average a photographer is hired for roughly 12 hours (not including set-up and development of photos) Another thing to think about is peripheral events such as Hen’s Night or Buck’s Night and be sure to confirm if there is a single photographer or if they have an assistant who will be there as well.
Most photographers will include on the written contract that they have sole rights to the images and may use them as promotional content on their websites or blogs. Therefore, if you decide later to develop a wedding album you will have to buy the image rights from the photographer.
Typically, a photographer will take a massive number of photos, which means it may take several weeks for you tom receive them. After all there is an enormous amount of developing, editing, and processing of data to be executed. It would be wise to contact the photographer and ask exactly how many images you can expect back, and what are your rights in regard to retaining images.
Take advantage of the photographer’s expertise and ask what they think the best photos would be to hold on to. If you’re thinking of publishing your photos on-line or perhaps in an article or other medium, let the photographer know this, that way they can alter the way the photos are presented and add little accessories and other extras to emphasize the aesthetic.
If you are keen to learn more about making a Wedding To-Do list and tips and tricks to make your wedding memorable check us out and find out this and many many more aspects of preparing for your Dream Wedding.
