Use these wedding photography tips
to get picture perfect shots of your wedding day.
Money
Matters
Before signing a contract with a wedding photographer, ask for a list explaining
what the fee or photo package entails (number of prints, completed album,
available print sizes, travel fee, taxes etc.). Also, have the photographer
give you a specific date of when the completed album or photos will be
available for pickup.
Ask your photographer for
negatives/digital prints in case you need to make duplicates of your wedding
photos. Photo centers can often times make duplicate prints at a lower cost
than ones developed by a professional photographer.
Verify the payment schedule with the wedding photographer. If you make a deposit, ask when the final balance is due.
For your protection, request a
cancellation/refund policy be added into your wedding photography contract.
Use Your
Time Wisely
Assign a point person to assist the
photographer in gathering family members and friends for each shot.
Ask the photographer to arrive a few
hours early to take posed pictures before the wedding ceremony. They usually
require the most amount of planning and time.
Ask both sets of parents to provide
the names of family members they’d like include in the pictures, in case your
list leaves out anyone.
Mix it Up
Traditional wedding photos capture
posed shots of the family and the wedding party. But what about the spontaneous
moments that you might have missed? Ask the photographer to take a few
standard, posed shots, and focus more on capturing the candid moments that
you’ll want to remember forever.
Give the wedding photographer a list
of poses that you’d like to see. Include a mix of sitting and standing shots
both indoors and outdoors to add variety.
Color and black and white photos are
a staple with wedding photography, but there are other ways to make your
pictures stand out. Try sepia toning for an old-fashioned look, or ask the
photographer to use a fish-eye lens or infrared film to add a unique
perspective to your wedding photos.
DIY Wedding Photography
Photo booths have become quite
popular at wedding receptions. This fun concept lets guests be in control of
picture taking by posing the way they like and adding their own personality to
the shots, instead of taking direction from a wedding photographer.
If the wedding reception photo booth
is out of your price range, but you still want to capture action shots of all
your friends and family, leave disposable cameras on reception tables and ask
guests to take shots of the people and happenings around them.
Picture Perfect
Avoid taking unflattering wedding
photos—turn sideways toward the camera for the best angles.
Elongate your neck to minimize the
appearance of a double-chin.
Have the photographer take two of
each posed picture in case of sneezing, blinking or any other awkward movement
caught on film.
Remember these simple and effective wedding photographer tips in your wedding
planning, and you'll have wonderful pictures of your special
day to cherish for a lifetime.