Wedding Photography

Your wedding photos are, without doubt, one of the most important aspects of your wedding.  By choosing a professional and reputable photographer, you can be rest assured that you will be able to look back through the images of your special day for years to come.

So where do you start when it comes to choosing a photographer for your wedding?  We’ve all heard horror stories about unprofessional photographers and bad photos, and although these people do exist, they are generally the exception to the rule.  By doing some careful research you are bound to ‘click’ (pardon the pun) with a photographer that suits your personality, style and budget and who will leave you with an album of beautiful memories to treasure forever.

Although it may seem to be a somewhat daunting task, choosing a wedding photographer is a very important part of planning your wedding.  By following a few simple steps, you can be rest assured that all should go well on your special day.

Shop Around

Be sure that you shop around for a wedding photographer.  The first port of call is to ask friends or family, who have recently married, for advice and referrals.  Remember that word of mouth is often the best form of advertising.  Take the time to also browse through bridal magazines, the internet and your local phone book in order to jot down a few photographers who may be of interest to you.

It’s a good idea to make appointments with (approximately) three separate photographers before you book.
Meet with each one and decide who appeals to your personal style and needs.  Ensure that you feel comfortable with the photographer in terms of their personality as well as their artistic abilities.

Most of all, remember that you only have one chance at getting the photos of your dreams, so make sure that you are completely confident in your final choice of photographer.  If not, keep searching until you find the right one.

Once you’ve made a few appointments to meet with some photographers, consider what it is that you actually require from them and what your expectations are, both in terms of their personal style and their work.

Discuss this with your fiancé, taking into consideration what you require in terms of the photographer’s personality, attitude, and image.  You need to find someone who is on ‘the same page’ as you.
Ensure that you feel relaxed around the photographer.  Some will try to tell you what they think you want, however the best choice is a photographer who will suggest ideas, however will ultimately LISTEN to what you want.

At the end of the day choose someone who you feel comfortable with, that will offer direction without trying to take over your wedding!

Ensure that you prepare some questions to ask your photographer before you meet with them.
The list below may be of assistance to you.

• Do they have recent examples of their work?  This will usually be in the form of display albums.  Ensure that the albums that you view are examples of the actual photographer’s individual work; rather that of someone else’s who works for the same company/studio.
• Is the photographer that you actually meet with (at your appointment) the one who will be taking the photos on the day?  Many studios have more than one photographer, and the one that you meet with may not necessarily be the one who is booked for your ceremony.
• How long has the photographer been working in the industry, and what are their qualifications?  Experience is something that may make a considerable difference when it comes to wedding photography.
• Is the photographer (or studio) accredited with any professional associations?  In Australia, the two to look for are, The Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) and The Australian Bridal Industry Academy (ABIA).
• Does the photographer use film or digital cameras (or both)?  Does the photographer have back up equipment?  If you are familiar with photography equipment, you may wish to ask about the type of cameras used, type of lenses etc.
• How much does the photographer charge?  This is a tricky one.  Ensure that you know exactly what you are getting and how much it will cost.  See the section below for more information on costs involved with wedding photography.
• Does the photographer sign a contract with you, what does it involve and does he/she guarantee their work?  Ensure that if you are to sign a contract with your photographer that you have read it in it’s entirety and understand it.  It may be a good idea to compare contracts from one photographer to the next to ensure that you are getting the ‘best deal’.  Always obtain a copy of the original for your record.
• How long does the photographer take to prepare and deliver your album after your wedding?
• Will you be able to keep the negatives (if your photos are taken with film) or a copy of your photos on disc (if a digital format has been used)?  If so, are there any extra costs for this service?
• Are there any optional extras available that you should know about?  Many photographers offer an array of extras when it comes to wedding photography.  These may include options such as parent’s albums, enlargements, pre-wedding portraits, extra pages for your wedding albums and photo frames.

Be sure to think about any other questions that you’d like to ask your photographer.  Take your list along with you and don’t be afraid to write your answers down during your appointment.

When meeting with your photographer, you will be given the opportunity to browse through a portfolio of their work.  These are often in the form of display albums, however it will vary from one photographer to the next. 
When given this opportunity, you should know what to look for in order to choose photos that are of good quality and clarity.

Here are some things to consider when browsing through the photos:

• Firstly think about your first impressions.  Do you like what you see?  Do the photos catch your eye?
• What emotion do you feel when viewing the photos?  Do you sigh in awe or disappointment from the photos?
• Are the photos the type that you dream of, or dread for your wedding album?
• Do the photos look natural or ‘set up/posed’? 
• Do the people in the photos look content and happy?
• Are the colours bright and crisp, and of a good clarity?
• Are the photos in focus?
• Is the technical aspect good?
• Are the photos printed on a good quality paper and have they been well presented?
• Are the layouts and designs of the albums appealing to you?
• Are the wedding albums of a style that suit your tastes and budget?  Are there several to choose from?
• Are the albums well constructed and do they protect the photos from dust and light?
• Are the pages used in the wedding albums acid free?
• Can additional pages be added to the albums?

Do not be afraid to be critical when browsing through display albums and portfolios.  You will no doubt be paying good money for your wedding photos, and you only get one chance at having them taken!

So, how much is all this going to cost you?  Well, how long is a piece of string? 
The cost of wedding photography will vary from one photographer to the next.  You should however find a very ‘general’ consensus amongst them in terms of the different fees that they may charge and optional extras.

Obviously you will need to find a photographer that suits both your personal style as well as your budget.  Don’t be fooled into thinking that the more expensive photographers are necessarily the best, as this is not always the case. 

Whilst it may be best to avoid ‘cheap’ photographers (as you may end up with just that - a ‘cheap’ wedding album’), some lower cost alternatives may be able to provide you with the album of your dreams.

Set a budget and stick to it, and then try to find a photographer who is able to meet your financial commitment without skimping on quality.  You should be able to find a middle of the range photographer who will suit all of your photographic requirements as well as your pocket!

As a general idea, the costs that you may come across in relation to your wedding photos may include the following:

• A set price package deal, including wedding ceremony, reception, album, photos etc.  You will need to read through the inclusions thoroughly to ensure that you are aware of what is included.
• Location fees.  Some photographers may charge a fee if they are required to travel over a certain distance for your wedding.  These may also apply if you wish to have photos taken at various locations throughout the day.
• Fees to stay throughout the entire reception (after the wedding ceremony).
• Fees for extra pages in your album.
• Fees for extra photos to be taken (the photographer may have a limit on the amount that they will take on the day).
• Fees for different styles of photography.  For example your photographer may only provide digital images and you may request digital and film.
• Fees for hand colouring on black and white prints.
• Fees for an assistant.
• Fees for a copy of your negatives or images on disc.
• Fees for extra albums, such as parent’s albums etc.
• Fees for enlargements.
• Fees for thank you cards and envelopes.
• Fees to have your photos placed on the internet.
• Fees for framing.
• Fees for other custom designed options.

Once you have decided upon a wedding photographer, it’s a good idea to meet with them in advance to plan for your photos.  This should allow both you and your photographer to gain an understanding of how the day should proceed and also ensure that your photographic needs are met.

Discuss locations for photo shoots and take into consideration the time it will take to travel to each, the weather (have some back up locations in case of inclement weather), sunset times, traffic, and ceremony and reception start and finish times.

With all of these considerations, you should be able to choose a great photographer and look back on your wedding album for years to come, reflecting back on one of the happiest days of your life!