Best Wedding Photos
How To Get The Best Wedding Photos, How To Choose A Wedding Photographer & Look Great In Your Wedding Photos
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Congratulations on your forthcoming wedding. We hope our tips below help you select your official wedding photographer and ensure you achieve the best from them on your wedding day:
1. Choosing your Photographer
4. Wedding Album
5. Prints
6. On-Line Gallery
7. Special Effects
8. Your Budget
9. Finding Your Photographer
10. The Shortlist
11. Meet the Photographer in Advance
12. Engagement Shoot
13. After the Wedding
14. Asking Questions
15. Insurance
It goes without saying your wedding day should be the most special day of your life and you will want to feel and look your best. One of the things we feel is key when choosing a wedding photographer is to ensure you both like and you feel at ease with them. If you can build up a great rapport you will be more comfortable when the photos are taken; this will be reflected in the end quality of your photographs.
It is important that you are agree with your Bride/Groom, in advance of meeting your chosen photographer, exactly what you want included in your package and what you can afford, then try to stick to it. It is particularly important to agree the style you are looking for and the mix of formal and informal photos you would like.
You need to agree with your photographer the role you would like him / her to play in your big day. Do you want them to control events or blend into the background? Will you be appointing ushers to help round people up for formal photos or will this be his responsibility? An overzealous wedding photographer can alienate guests and ruin the atmosphere at your wedding so be very clear what you want.
Do you want a wedding album? If so what sort and size? There are many options when it comes to selecting your album so we would recommend you meet a selection of different photographers to understand what they can offer and help you to decide your preferences.
We also recommend you agree with the photographer, in advance, how many pages and prints the album will include. It is common for photographers to try and sell a larger, more expensive package when, after the wedding, you review their work only to find they have taken double the number of great wedding photos and you really should pay double for a bigger album.
Will you or your family want to print any of your wedding photos? Owning the rights to the photographs will make the difference between you being able to arrange printing or having to request prints from the photographer, usually at a premium price.
To print photos you will need to purchase the rights to the photographs. This should be agreed with your photographer in advance and will usually result in your photographer providing high resolution copies of all the photographs on a CD.
Does your photographer provide an on-line wedding gallery so you can view your photos over the internet? Will this be available to your friends and family to review? Is it possible to order prints from this gallery? Will your photographer allow you to upload their photos to your own on-line wedding gallery like the ones we provide at http://www.weddingphotoshot.com/
Another consideration to discuss with the photographer is any special effects you would like. For example the black and white photo of the bride leaving the church with just the confetti in colour seems to have become very popular of late.
Before you even start to look for a photographer agree together how much you can afford. Be wary of photographers who don't have a clear price listing and make sure the package you're interested in includes all the details you are looking for. If a photographer will not give you something you want at a price you can afford move on, there will be one out there who will.
Now you have a clear idea of what you want from your photographer you need to find the right one. Ask your friends and family who have recently married to see their wedding pictures and for recommendations. If you don't find anything you like or want more selection you can always rely on the web.
It is likely you will draw up your shortlist of potential wedding photographers but do not make it too short. We suggest you meet at least ten different photographers and ask to see their work. This will allow you to get a really good feel for exactly what they can offer, the different styles, pricing models and most importantly who you like. Seeing ten different photographers may seem a lot when time is tight but remember, when the day is over it is your memories and photos that will remain.
When you have finally selected the photographer you are want to work with, ask him if he would mind you talking to a few of his previous customers and could he make the introductions. Most good photographers develop great relationships with their clients and will happily facilitate this.
Once you have selected your photographer we recommend you meet them again in the run up to your wedding day to run through and agree all your requirements and expectations. It is advisable at this meeting to provide your photographer with a list of formal photos you would like taken during the day. If you would like some help to compile this list we have put together some suggestions to help get you started click here to view.
Some photographers include an “engagement shoot” in their package. They will meet you in advance of the day and take some informal photographs which will help them get used to working with you and ensure you are more relaxed in front of the camera. This is a great idea and can be combined with a visit to the church or registry office and reception venue which will enable you to agree the places and shots that will provide the best photo opportunities.
Make sure you are clear on the process after your wedding. Find out how long it will take before you see the photographs. Understand from your photographer if they are going to provide proofs and if so what the format will be. Finally check how the photos are selected for your album and how much involvement and input you will have.
You may also like to ask what level of post production editing the photographer will typically do. By this we mean are they able to take out that spot that's appeared on your chin on the day, or perhaps remove an ugly telegraph wires that spoils your favourite photograph. Is this editing included in the price being quoted and is it unlimited?
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Remember, they are there to win your business so make sure they answer everything to your satisfaction and most importantly make sure they have the date of your wedding available. Click here if you would like some help with questions you may like to ask.
It's very easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning your wedding photos, the style you are looking for and the presentation but what happens if your photographer's car breaks down on the way to your wedding, or you have to change the date at the last minute? Does your photographer work alone? If yes, what would happen if he was taken ill or had an accident before your wedding?
Ensure your photographer has a clear contract detailing all possible eventualities. Also, make sure they are covered for any mishaps with Personal Indemnity Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance. Most photographers will have both, but if your photographer doesn't we recommend you consider taking out a wedding insurance policy.
Make sure your photographer provides you with a clear contract that sets out what they are providing and what happens if they fail to meet any of their obligations. If something is not included in their standard contract ask them to either add it or send you a letter confirming the item is covered.
We hope you find this guide useful in helping you choose a wedding photographer and to ensure you achieve the best wedding photos.
Below is a list of suggested photos you might like to consider. You may want to mark these up and hand to your photographer.
If you would like to obtain a free copy of photo checklist click here and just tell us you would like a copy of the "Photographer Checklist" and we will email you a copy.
Bride's Photos - Before the Wedding Ceremony:
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Bride getting ready
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Bride putting on her dress
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Bride having her hair and makeup applied
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Bride with Mother
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Bride with Father
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Bride with both Parents
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Bride with Chief Bridesmaid
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Bride with all Bridesmaids
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Bride and Father getting into car
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Bride's Mother and Father
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Bride's bouquet
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Bride's party waiting before the service
Grooms Wedding Photos before the Ceremony:
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Groom getting ready
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Groom and Best Man
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Groom, Best Man and Ushers
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Groom wit Mother
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Groom with Father
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Groom with both Parents
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Picture of the rings
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Picture of the Order of Service
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Groom's party waiting before the service
Wedding Photos at the Wedding Ceremony:
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Groom arriving at the wedding venue
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Guests arriving at the wedding venue
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Ushers escorting guests
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Musicians, organists at wedding venue
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Groom waiting for Bride
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Groom and Best Man at the alter
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Bride and Father arriving at church and getting out of the car
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Bride and Father entering the wedding venue
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Bride and Father walking down aisle
Wedding Pictures During the Wedding Ceremony:
- Bride and Groom during ceremony
- Pictures of readers
- Bride and Groom exchanging vows / rings
- Vicar or Registrar during service
- Couple at High Alter
- Couple tying the knot
- Signing of the register
- Wedding party gathered for signing of the register
- Bride and Groom's first kiss
- Bride and Groom Walking back down the aisle
- A backward picture of your guests at the church or wedding venue
- Pictures of the fabric of the church or wedding venue, stain glass windows, pictures of flower arrangements etc.
Be aware it is worth checking with your venue particularly churches as many will not allow any wedding photos during the ceremony, a good relationship with the vicar may smooth the passage.
Wedding Photographs Before the Reception:
- Bride and Groom with attending party
- Bride and Groom with both sets of parents
- Bride and Groom with family from each side
- Groom with both Mothers
- Groom with both Fathers
- Bride with both Mothers
- Bride with both Fathers
- Bride and Groom with Grandparents
- Bride and Groom with Bride's whole family
- Bride and Groom with Groom's whole family
Wedding Photographs at the Wedding Breakfast:
- Bride and Groom Arriving and being greeted
- Receiving line
- Group shot of all guests
- General reception room shot
- Table shots
- Photo of the cake
- Place card settings
- Bride and Groom cutting the cake
- Toasting the Bride and Groom
- Best Man's speech
- Bride's Father's speech
- Groom's speech
- Any other speeches
- Musicians
- Bride and Groom's first dance
- Bride dancing with her Father
- Groom dancing with Bride's Mother
- Bride dancing with Groom's Father
- Groom dancing with his Mother
- Bride throwing her bouquet
- Catching of the bouquet
- Leaving line
- Bride and Groom departing
- Pictures of the guests interacting with each other
Questions to ask when choosing your Photographer
Don't forget your guests can take some of your best wedding photos, as they often see things that your wedding photographer may miss. Why not tatke the opportunity to subscribe to one of our wedding packages now and ensure you do not miss a moment of your wedding day CLICK HERE to subscribe.