|
|
|
|
|
Photography is the other wedding service that brides are not prepared for in their budgeting. However, if there was one area I wouldn’t cut back or skimp on…it would be this one. If I was under budget in another area and was able to move the funds, I would move them to photography. Your flowers and everything pertaining to your wedding day will be gone. One of the only reminders you will have to look on is your photography! Choose a quality professional and remember…there are no retakes for this special day!
Why So Costly?
Most of their work for your wedding is done behind the scenes. You may think…well they are just taking pictures for a few hours…but what you don’t see is the hours in the studio of going through and editing your photos after your wedding is over. Also, your photographer will have spent time with you during your initial meeting and pre–wedding detail meeting.
Whether your photographer is using digital or film (almost all photographers now use digital), all the photos are examined. Those that don’t ‘cut it’ are eliminated. There are also pictures that are corrected, cropped, or color corrected. They are then assembled in a viewable form for the client.
If you have chosen to have a more photojournalistic style (see info below) of photographer, you will probably have almost twice as many photos as with a traditional style of photography.
Once you get your proofs and make your selections, the photographer starts over again with fine tuning the pictures and making any changes or creating special effects like colorization. If your package includes a book, there will be additional time in its creation with your photographer.
Film and Digital
For years, photographers used 35mm film and medium format film for their cameras. It’s the roll you drop in the camera. They used specialty films for outdoors that are sensitive to sunlight or bright indoor lighting and other films for darker rooms like the church or later in the evening when the lights are turned down at the reception. But, most popular today is the digital format, which requires no film at all, and photographers have memory cards with large capacities. There is no need to change rolls of film and some cameras will automatically adjust to lighting. Corrections to photographs are all being done on a computer.
Traditional and Photojournalism
Photojournalism is the trend of today even though it has been done for years. It is a style that catches the emotion of the day. You may see the photographer around, but no one is asked to smile and look into the camera and say “cheese.” Photojournalism catches the emotion of the day as well as the details. It is sometimes referred to as “Storybook Style.”
Traditional photography is a posed photo. Your formals are in a traditional style. When family and guests are being gathered and posed and you’re looking at the camera lens…freezing for a moment…that’s traditional photography. Most brides do want some traditional photos taken. Do remember, traditional photography can be time consuming.
Time Allowance
Every photographer works at a different speed. I have seen some move slowly and others are done in a snap. This is an average for a photographer (be sure to check with your photographer) that will shoot both photojournalistic and formals, but does not include travel times:
Arrives at bride’s location 2-3 hours prior to ceremony
Bride usually gets ready last and he photographs her last
60 minutes for getting ready shots at the bride’s location
30 minutes bride/30 minutes bridesmaids
Guys arrive at church 60 minutes prior to ceremony
30 minutes for groom and groomsmen at church prior to the
wedding
45 – 60 minutes for after ceremony shots at the church
30 minutes for bridal party for photojournalistic fun shots
30 – 45 minutes of bride and groom alone for photojournalistic
Ways to Save
A. Buy the smaller package and add pictures at a later date. Most photographers keep your images for months. Get your “must have” photos for your wedding book and add additional photos when your budget permits.
B. Find a photographer that will work on an hourly basis. This may be difficult during the wedding season but more likely in the ‘off’ season.
C. Hire your photographer for the basic time package and place cameras on the guest’s tables. Have a designated photo taker from each table and ask them to take lots of shots…both candid and posed.
D. Buy the loose photos and mount them portfolio style. Professionally mounted books are very expensive!
E. If the photographer wants to charge extra to bring a backdrop – pass on it. Most sites have some area that is nice for picture taking.
Tips
1. Hire a pro! Remember, there are no re-takes. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event. A professional will always have back-up equipment in case of a malfunction.
2. Always view the work of the photographer who is shooting your wedding and remember…what you are looking at is their best for that photographer.
3. Make a “must have” list and go over it with your photographer. Divide the sheet into two categories, his and hers. Under each category, list the location and time (like the bride’s home, park, church, etc.) of the must have photos.
4. Because your photographer will not know who your family members are, assign one person from each side to gather family members. Be sure the assigned family member has a copy of the must have photos with the names of the family members for each photo.
5. Change the scenery…don’t take all the photos in one place. Moving a few steps from the staircase to the atrium will only take a moment. Photos won’t look as staged.
6. Allow time to take as many pictures as you can before the ceremony to enjoy the day later. Get pictures of the bride alone, bride with parents, bride with bridesmaids prior to the ceremony. The groom should do the same with his family and groomsmen.
7. If the bride and groom decide to see one another before the ceremony to take photos, create a special place to meet and make it a private special moment. The groom can present the bride with a gift or her bouquet.
8. Don’t take the same shots twice. Once you’ve taken the bride with the bridesmaids at her home, don’t take them again at the church…opt for one full bridal party shot including the groomsmen.
9. If it is available to you and it is within your budget, go with the on-line ordering. This is the way most photographers offer the photos now. You don’t have to handle orders or collect money. No matter where the guests live, they will be able to view your wedding photos on-line.
Article submitted by Holly Stasiak. Holly is a professional wedding planner. You can contact her at holly@apassionforweddings and view her website at www.apassionforweddings.com
|
|
|
|