It’s your big day and you want it to be perfect! Of course! You are getting married to your soul-mate and life-partner (soon-to-be) with your family and friends as witnesses. You have planned this for ages. Every detail had to be impeccable. You fixed the date, got the best venue, hunted for the most gorgeous bridal gown or tuxedo, personalized your invitations and had sleepless nights making sure everything will be in order. Then you book the photographer and you think everything will go well. However, not all wedding photography stories end happily. I have heard a lot of horror stories with wedding photographers and some of them even had large names. From the missing photographer who does not deliver to poor images and missed moments…these are what couples’ nightmares are made of. So how can you avoid this disaster:
1. Know your photographer. Each photographer has their own style and specialties. Check their online portfolio and maybe get in touch with some of their clients.
2. Prints and albums are optional. Clarify this with your photographer before signing a contract with them. However, prints and albums are the best ways to preserve and share memories. Ask them too what other prints they can provide. Some can give you at least 10 thank you cards with your wedding photo which you can send to special guests and sponsors. Discuss all this because some photographers charge you less on the service but charge you enormously on prints. It is sometimes better to get all original high resolution photos with the reprint rights in a DVD. Check this if it is part of the package.
3. Before your wedding day, make sure the photographer has a copy of the program. Give him/her a detailed program so he will not miss a moment.
4. Most photographers have a shot list. Ask for a copy of the shot list or discuss this in a meeting so you can add on to this list. Maybe you want to make sure your dog in photographed with you guys or that a special friend who flew from another country should have a photo with the couple. Or you have a special necklace with a sentimental value or cuff links that you want to be included in the detail shot list.
5. Meet with your photographer whether in person or skype. If he/she is a destination wedding photographer, a call will do. Run down with whatever you both need. Get comfortable with them. They will be sticking to you like glue on your wedding day making sure each moment is captured unless you don’t want that. If you are not comfortable with them, some natural feelings will not freely flow because there will still be some awkwardness between the you, the couple and your photographer. And you wouldn’t want awkward smiles in your photos, would you? You also would want to be comfortable enough with them to tell them what you want them to do and be funny and natural.
6. Do not be camera-conscious on your wedding day. Trust that the photographers will be capturing your best and natural angles. You want your wedding day to be all about you two. Look into each other eyes, smile and whisper sweet words to each other. Savor your special day and trust me, your photos will be something you would want to share with generations to come.
7. Pitch in ideas especially for creative portrait sessions. For example, you saw a lovely photo of a couple from someone’s website and didn’t share this to your photographer but you expect a similar image produce. Unfortunately, photographers are not mind-readers.
8. Photographers are human beings too. They feel hungry and thirsty especially when they are chasing after you for more than 6 hours or sometimes more. If you will be too busy on your wedding day to check on them if they have eaten, ask your coordinator or a member of your family to check for you. A dizzy and nauseous photographer spells danger to your photos. Lol!
9. Thank the photographers as they leave for the night. Give them a date when they can be in touch with you the soonest with regards to your photos.
10. The best compensation a photographer can get is when couples send them appreciation notes or leave comments on their website. Building strong relations with a good photographer has its rewards. You have the perfect photographer and friend to take your wife’s or your maternity photos, newborn photos, 1st birthday photos, family portraits, etc.
