Wedding Photography - Hilton Tampa Bay/N. Redington Beach FL
A Moment In Time
Photography allows you to revisit your wedding day whenever you please.
Unfortunately it’s true that your vivid memories of the day will eventually begin to fade over time. Photography can provide a lasting record of your special day.
Choosing a wedding photographer will be a testing task. It’s a very powerful medium and will have a large influence on your memories of the day. The challenge is to find the professional who is perfect for you.
Choosing A Wedding Photographer
It’s just not worth taking a risk with your photographer. They only have one chance to get it right.
Look through the albums of married friends. Ask them how they chose, if they were happy, how much they paid, etc.
When you do see a professional’s work that inspires you, make contact with that photographer and view their portfolio of wedding images. Study the prints closely. They should be consistently clear, imaginative and emotionally appealing.
Essentially, you need to find a photographer who understands your vision. If you visit a studio you must speak to the person who will be taking the photographs, not anybody else. When you start talking about your wedding you will discover if they’re listening properly by the questions they ask you. Your photographer must be willing to take on your ideas, but you should definitely listen to the suggestions they make, if they are properly accredited and experienced they will know what they’re talking about.
A good photographer will spend a considerable amount of time with you before the wedding. They need to get a sense of you, just as much as you need to get a sense of them.
Although this sounds tremendously obvious, it needs to be said: you must like your photographer. They will be hanging around for the majority of the day, maybe even at intimate times such as when you are getting ready. It is important that you feel comfortable around them.
Bookings And Costs
You will certainly be surprised by how well in advance a good photographer is booked. It is typical for you to have to book about 12-18 months in advance. Just to be safe, you should start looking as soon as the date is finalised.
When it comes to photography, the price is a good mark of experience, skill and artistic flair. It is an industry in which you get what you pay for. If good photographs are important to you, cost cutting is not such a good idea.
These are images that will last beyond a lifetime, hopefully passed on through the family. The time the photographer shares with you is only part of the job, and it is certainly not an inexpensive business. You will be paying for high-quality film, professional cameras, lenses and lighting equipment, and excellent processing. On top of this, the album must be chosen and coordinated. Your photographer will spend a great deal of time on your wedding post-marriage. You should also budget for reprints and enlargements, no doubt family members will be insisting on copies.
Most couples will pay between $2000 and $6000 for their wedding photos. And some will pay even more for truly accomplished photography. It’s important that you’re clear from the beginning as to how they will quote for the job. Some photographers offer set packages, these can be tailored to suit your individual needs. Others will quote for time with prints charged separately. It is standard practice for you to pay for the whole service before the actual wedding. Commonly a booking deposit of 50% of the quoted cost of the package will need to be paid up front. With the remaining amount due before the day.
It is best to see your agreement in writing. You should certainly sign a wedding contract with your photographer. But before doing so, make sure you have all the relevant information such as cancellation fee, payment requirements, individual prints, album and page pricing, etc.
After You Book
Your photographer will contact you prior to your wedding to make a pre-wedding appointment to discuss the fine details - timing, location and any special photographic styles you would like. In general, allow a minimum of one and a half hours of free photographic time (excluding travel) after the service in order to do family groups, bridal party and more intimate shots at one or two locations.
Delegate a well-connected family member from both families to help your photographer with any query they may have in their search to shoot important individuals. This will allow the photographer to focus on what they do best, leaving the delegated family member/s to provide relevant information as it’s needed.
Make sure you rehearse your ceremony and work with the priest to allow professional photographs. You will have to consider the time of day, and amount of natural lighting. Discuss the photography with your makeup artist, as there are techniques to make you look your best in the photographs.
Typically most couples view the proofs once they’ve returned from their honeymoon. At this stage you will begin working with your photographer on the album or portraits. This is a very important process. It’s usual practice for studios to produce a set of proofs or prints that will help you determine which shots you want to include in the finished album.
This is your chance to bring the story of your wedding day to life.
posted by paul at 4:52 AM
<< Home