A photograph is a moment in life distilled and preserved for eternity. An expressive face, a fleeting instant, an interesting shape, a photograph can capture emotions and atmosphere where words cannot. Your wedding pictures are a cherished keepsake that will be passed down through generations, and the only commemoration of the thousands of hours (and dollars) spent planning this momentous day. The photographer you choose is one of the most important decisions you will make in your wedding planning.
While a friend may not notice a distracting element in the rear of a photo composition when taking a picture, your expert photographer certainly will, and will make adjustments accordingly. They have a trained eye for interesting angles to capture compositions and distractions that may otherwise be overlooked. Professional photographers also use high-quality equipment that will produce much better results than photos snapped on the average SLR. They have extensive experience with posing, placement, and lighting, each of which ensures that your resulting photos look incredible.
Keep in mind that photographers are artists, and the visions and styles of artists vary. Consider the style that would best reflect your unique personalities. Expressing your expectations and comparing your goals, while reviewing the portfolios of your potential photographers are all important steps that will help you find the best fit.
Budget for your memories.
The cost for a professional photographer is one of the higher priced items on your wedding list, but is also one cost you will never regret as the images of your wedding will last you a lifetime. Take the time to go through websites and portfolios while making sure you meet face to face with more than one photographer to find the perfect fit.
Get to know their style.
While honouring the wishes of their clients and always working in their best interests, experienced photographers develop their own sense of style over time. Ask them about their approach and what makes them different from others in the field. Once you have decided on your photographer, take the time to connect with him or her and share and considerations or concerns you may have that are specific to your event. Discuss the difference between black and white and coloured photographs and strike a balance between candid, photojournalistic and portrait shots. Think about how you want the story of your wedding to be told.
Share the schedule.
As your wedding date draws nearer, share a schedule of the day’s events with your photographer so that they have a feel for how the day will unfold. This will help them strategize in advance, which is especially important during the first half of the day when there are so many critical moments to capture.
Images, albums and art.
Professional wedding photographers take great pride and care in their printing process. Many modern photographers use professional labs that produce amazing results, however there are still those who prefer printing in-house to maintain tighter control over print quality and other aspects of printing like color calibration. During processing each image will need to be reviewed, repositioned and potentially enhanced or retouched. This time-consuming attention to detail is often what separates good photographers from the great ones.
