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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 20 2007, 10:31 AM EST (current) | Pixienixie | |
| Nov 20 2007, 10:29 AM EST | Pixienixie |
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Key: Additions Deletions
Ideas to think about
Before you start looking for a photographer, it's a good idea to have a think about what your expectations are, and what the things that matter to you are.
Stuck for inspiration? Try looking through some of our GW girls' photos for ideas. Click here
Questions To Ask
When choosing a photographer, you will probably end up meeting a few different ones to assess their work and gain quotes. When you meet your prospective photographers, it's a good idea to have a few key questions in your head and ideas of what to look for in their work.
Booking Your Photographer
Once you've been to see a few photographers, you'll probably have found the one who you want to cover your wedding. Make sure when you see each photographer that you get a quote for the same job each time, therefore it's a good idea to have made your mind up about what sort of package you want.
Prices vary considerably depending on the area of the country you're in (you may find that local photographers are cheaper than those that cover the whole country), how long you want him there for on the day, and of course, your photo package.
Photography packages vary considerably, from a photographer who will take the pictures and then give you all the copies to make your own albums and enlargements, to those who include pre-wedding shoots and multiple luxury albums in their prices.
One of the most important things to do, is to get a thorough breakdown of what your quote includes. For example, do you have to pay extra for the album itself? How many enlargements do you get for your money and how do you get extra copies? These sorts of questions are key to understanding what you're getting for your money. An important point to consider are the copyright issues. Some photographers may give you a CD of your photos for you to do your own copies and enlargements, but many retain their copyright of the images of your wedding and all additional photos that aren't included in your quoted package (for example, pictures for relatives) will have to be purchased through your photographer.
Once you've decided on the one you want, book him quickly for your day as popular photographers get booked up a long way in advance and generally won't keep a date free in their diary unless you confirm your booking.
Start looking through our helpful Links and Contacts board to find tried and tested photographers in your area.
Additional Photos
Something else to consider is whether you'd like your guests' photographic skills and provide disposable cameras at the reception. Many couples buy disposable cameras for each table (which can be ordered to coordinate with your colour scheme if you wish!) with the hope of getting a few candid shots that the photographer missed.
Another alternative to consider is to provide blank CDs for your guests to take home and burn copies of their photos which are then sent back to the bride and groom. Obviously this relies on your guests having digitial cameras but it can be very successful as most people attend a wedding with a camera. It also narrows down the chances of ending up with hundreds of photos of people eating the wedding breakfast which is an occupational hazard with disposable cameras being available during the meal!
Before you start looking for a photographer, it's a good idea to have a think about what your expectations are, and what the things that matter to you are.
- How traditional do you want your shots to be? Many photographers these days shoot reportage style photographs, as well as the traditional family and posed shots that many couples still want.
- Do you want your photos to document the whole day? Decide whether you really want/need to have your photographer there from when you're getting ready at home, through to the end of the night. You can save a lot of money if you only want your photographer's services for part of the day.
- Do you want all colour shots, or to include a selection of black and white, sepia and photographs with effects added?
- Are there are particular shots that you want your photographer to capture? It's always a good idea to make a list of the photos that are important to you (e.g certain group photos, confetti shots, details of the flowers, dress etc). Don't assume that these will all happen, you need to specify them to your photographer and don't leave anything to chance!
Stuck for inspiration? Try looking through some of our GW girls' photos for ideas. Click here
Questions To Ask
When choosing a photographer, you will probably end up meeting a few different ones to assess their work and gain quotes. When you meet your prospective photographers, it's a good idea to have a few key questions in your head and ideas of what to look for in their work.
- Most importantly, do you like the style of their work? All photographers have different styles and it's essential to book a photographer who shares the same vision of your day that you do. If there's a particular style of photo that you want to recreate, bring it along to show your photographer so they understand your ideas too.
- Are the photographs well composed? Are the group shots set up well and are there any distracting objects in the background? On the day you want to be sure that your photographer is choosing the best locations for your shots as you won't have time to be thinking about this!
- Does the photographer show you a selection of photographs from different weddings or are they only from one or two? It is preferable to view work from a selection of weddings to check that your photographer has experience covering many occasions.
- Do the people in the pictures look natural and happy? Many brides worry that they 'don't photograph well' but a good photographer should be able to get lots and lots of pictures of you looking happy and relaxed without you even noticing he's there.
- Some photographers like to meet a couple of times before the wedding to take a few 'pre wedding' shots especially if it's a location they haven't photographed at before, so check to see if this is a service that's offered. This can be very valuable as it's a good excuse to get to know each other better so you'll feel relaxed on the big day and your photographer should know how to get the best photos out of you and your setting.
- It's a good idea to check that the photographer you are meeting is the one who you will actually be booking for your wedding day - some firms have many photographers working for them, so make sure you know who you are getting and what arrangement are in place if he is unwell and unable to attend on your wedding day.
- Check whether your photographer has professional indemnity insurance to protect you if anything goes wrong on the day and you need to have your photos retaken. Wedding insurance should also cover you for this so it's worth checking your policy.
- Ask what your photographer would do if poor weather prevents any outdoor photographs on the day. An experienced photographer should have plenty of ideas of how to work around problems such as this.
Booking Your Photographer
Once you've been to see a few photographers, you'll probably have found the one who you want to cover your wedding. Make sure when you see each photographer that you get a quote for the same job each time, therefore it's a good idea to have made your mind up about what sort of package you want.
Prices vary considerably depending on the area of the country you're in (you may find that local photographers are cheaper than those that cover the whole country), how long you want him there for on the day, and of course, your photo package.
Photography packages vary considerably, from a photographer who will take the pictures and then give you all the copies to make your own albums and enlargements, to those who include pre-wedding shoots and multiple luxury albums in their prices.
One of the most important things to do, is to get a thorough breakdown of what your quote includes. For example, do you have to pay extra for the album itself? How many enlargements do you get for your money and how do you get extra copies? These sorts of questions are key to understanding what you're getting for your money. An important point to consider are the copyright issues. Some photographers may give you a CD of your photos for you to do your own copies and enlargements, but many retain their copyright of the images of your wedding and all additional photos that aren't included in your quoted package (for example, pictures for relatives) will have to be purchased through your photographer.
Once you've decided on the one you want, book him quickly for your day as popular photographers get booked up a long way in advance and generally won't keep a date free in their diary unless you confirm your booking.
Start looking through our helpful Links and Contacts board to find tried and tested photographers in your area.
Additional Photos
Something else to consider is whether you'd like your guests' photographic skills and provide disposable cameras at the reception. Many couples buy disposable cameras for each table (which can be ordered to coordinate with your colour scheme if you wish!) with the hope of getting a few candid shots that the photographer missed.
Another alternative to consider is to provide blank CDs for your guests to take home and burn copies of their photos which are then sent back to the bride and groom. Obviously this relies on your guests having digitial cameras but it can be very successful as most people attend a wedding with a camera. It also narrows down the chances of ending up with hundreds of photos of people eating the wedding breakfast which is an occupational hazard with disposable cameras being available during the meal!
