Sadly the Day's story is not unique, and a quick Google of 'ruined wedding photography' or 'bad wedding photos' will soon bring up plenty of results to put the scares in any bride in waiting, it may even put some couples off hiring a professional photographer; after all, the range of quality digital cameras available now mean that you don't always have to get it right first time and even a budget digital SLR such as the Canon 1000D offers a good level of manual control. Of course a professional wedding photographer does more than just point and shoot with a Nikon compact. A good photographer will have the necessary people skills to make you and your guests feel at ease, they will know when to take appropriate shots and perhaps most importantly, they are distanced from the ceremony in a way that other guests may not be. He or She will scout out the best locations, used their skill to capture interesting shots, and come up with ideas for something a little different if that's what you require. There is a thin line between being bossy, and 'organising' people.
This article is split into two sections. The first relates to the client, and what they should expect from a photographer. Part two will follow soon, and that will be more of a 'I've being asked to provide wedding photography. HELP!' guide. OK, that makes it sound a little dramatic, maybe 'how to prepare to shoot a wedding' is a more appropriate title.
So why shouldn't I ask for wedding photography by a friend / family member?
Well maybe you should, Uncle Bob may know his way around a camera and even have taken some great photographs in his time, however asking guests to perform this significant role is putting them under pressure, and preparing for those vital shots means they may not be enjoying the day in a way you would want them too. Of course there is a flip side to this, as a photographer I have shot many weddings for friends and family and I quite enjoy it, however I've also shot plenty of weddings before and always retain a level of professionalism throughout the day (only to make a fool of myself dancing at the night reception).
Another common question that comes up when discussing weddings with the happy couple is 'Shall we ask other people not to take photos?'. Personally, I always recommend the exact opposite. Friends photographs may not have that professional feel to them, but as a photographer, you can only shoot one picture at a time, and this comes back to the other skills that a photographer is hired for. While we're organising a group photo, somebody else may take a shot that captures the spirit of that moment, a natural photograph of the day as it happens. Likewise, some people become very uncomfotable when a huge lens is pointed at them, but a friend with a digital compact or camera phone is such a common occurance they wouldn't think twice about pulling a pose.
You may even prefer some of your friends photos simply because they have captured a better smile in that fraction of a second we call shutter speed.
What should you look for in a wedding photographer?
First of all, think about your budget, very often the price will reflect an end product rather than an overall service. Many photographers will use a good quality digital SLR camera these days, but some traditionalists will still use film, including black and white. There use to be an argument of film over the quality of digital shots however in recent years digital SLRs have come a long way, and a 'digital darkroom' can easily transform an image into a black and white art piece when used by a professional.
You should also think about the style you want to achieve. Some photographers will have a unique style, whereas some may specialise in traditional albums. Do you want an 'arty' approach or a formal set up. Any decent photographer should be able to show examples of past work, and be willing to discuss what you want - and this will make it much easier for both parties on the day.
Extras to consider are also important. Do you want one photographer who may be cheaper, or do you want a group of photographers for a 'repotage' style all angles approach. One friend of mine approached a news photographer for their wedding photography as they loved the candid paparazzi views.
How about a wedding video?
Some photographers may offer a full fervice that includes video, or they may have trusted partners that can offer such a service. Like photography, videos are made to suit all different styles and budgets, with some outfits merely capturing the service, to a full days worth of footage edited to fit your perfect soundtrack. Personally I've never worked with a videographer so I'm unable to offer advice, but if you have experience here then feel free to leave a comment below.
How much of the day do you want to capture?
While everybody thinks about the family photos, many photographers will offer a 'full day' service, which means they'll be there to capture everything from the Bridal preparation, to the service itself, and then a repotage of the evening reception.
These are just a few of the things you need to consider, however the most important thing is to make sure you contact your photographer well in advance, and respect each other. They should have a good idea of how to guide you if you are unsure what to expect on the day, and you should also be comfortable with the service they provide. As a client it is important to remember that your photographer isn't a miracle worker - they can't control the weather and they can't fix bad hair days.
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