How do I get the best photos at my wedding?

• Published February 2nd, 2011 by Steve
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No doubt you have read several articles and books on how to plan for your wedding.  How to select your vendors?  How to choose a photographer?  But, have you given any thought to how you can affect the quality of your photos?

Here are some suggestions that I would like to pass along to you that will not only insure you get great photos, but also how to choose the photographer that is best for you.

1.    Your photographer is the one person that will be with you for your entire wedding day.  Make sure s/he is someone you want to hang out with.  Do your personalities mesh?

2.    The best way to get to know who you selected is do an engagement session  with them.  Normal session runs about an hour to an hour and a half if you are doing a location shoot,   rather than a formal studio session.  A studio session runs about 45 minutes to an hour.

3.    I prefer a location shoot.  Where did you get engaged?  Do you have a favorite spot? A special restaurant?  If the location has meaning to you then your photos will reflect the special feeling you have for your location.

4.    If you do not have a favorite spot your photographer should be able to suggest great locations.  Do you like the ocean? A botanical garden? Are you a city person? 

5.   If you are a model then you will already be familiar with posing and know your best side, as it were.  However, if you are not a professional model you will need direction.  As a matter of fact, if you asked even the most famous actors what their best work was they will most likely tell you that there best performances were because they really enjoyed their director.  The director is the person who will put you in the best position to be yourself and look natural.

6.    My favorite couple will enjoy each other and be fun loving.  They will feel comfortable trusting me to put them in a position to look their best.  A good photographer knows where the best light is and how it should flatter your face and body.  Are you a plus size bride or groom, yet want to look slimmer than you are?  A good photographer will know how to make that happen.

 7.   Check out the web site of the photographer you are considering.  Can you picture yourself looking like the brides you see?  Do you like the light and the expressions on the people?

 8.   Consistently good photos don’t just happen – they are well planned and executed.  There are times during a wedding when events are fantastic and the images spectacular.  But, what if not much is happening.  What then?  You need a good director who will make things happen.

 9.  It is always a good idea to interview two or three photographers.  Price is important, but there are other important factors to consider.  Keep in mind the one thing you will have the rest of your life after your wedding is over is your photographs.  You do not want to trust the first day of your families’ history to Aunt Sally or Uncle Bob, who may be a good photographer, but has no experience in photographing a wedding.  You also do not want to put that kind of responsibility on a close friend or relative.

10.  If the event is that important do not trust it to chance.  Seek out an experienced professional that you feel you can trust.  Look at their sample albums.  That will tell you if this is the person you want.

 Hope this helps.  Feel free to contact me for further information.