Your wedding day will be one of the fastest days of your life. No matter how much you will want to step back and soak it all in, your wedding day will go by in a blur. After waiting a lifetime for the most important day of your life, you’ll vaguely remember a few key moments…unless, you did your homework and hired a wedding photographer. How do you pick the right wedding photographer? What kind of pictures should you ask them to take? When should you get the finished product to enjoy your memories? Have no fear, The Capable Bride has a few suggestions to make the process a little easier.
So, how do you pick the right photographer? Your wedding photographer is going to be your eyes in multiple locations on your wedding day. You are going to trust this professional with capturing all of the special moments of your big day so that you can enjoy them for a lifetime. It’s essential that you select a photographer with whom you feel comfortable. Besides your wedding planner, your photographer is the only vendor who will literally be with you all day. From the minute you get dressed for the wedding to the final seconds that you drive away to your honeymoon, your photographer will be front and center with you for the most intimate of moments. Needless to say, you’d better get along with your photographer unless you enjoy the awkwardness of an annoying stranger tagging along behind you for hours! You might not be besties, but while interviewing your photographer, look for those good vibes you feel when making a new friend. If you and your beloved are comfortable with your photographer, you’ll be a lot more relaxed and natural on your wedding day and your pictures will reflect your wise choice.
Now that you think you’ve made a connection with your ideal photographer, what pictures should you ask for? Well, the pictures that you request depend on your style as a couple. Are you more traditional? Edgy and avant-garde? Are you looking for formal staged portraits, unrehearsed candid shots or a combination? Would you like an album that feels at home in a fine art bookstore or one that captures a down-home family feeling? There is no right or wrong answer to these questions. Your style as a couple rules the day and your pictures should reflect that truth. However, if you don’t want to be disappointed, make sure that you let your photographer know exactly what pictures you want to get. If you’ve done your homework, you’ll have an idea of the types of pictures your photographer takes. Let them know what you like from their portfolio and the overall feel that you are looking for in your wedding pictures. If you have friends and relatives that you absolutely must have in your pictures, make sure that you give their names and descriptions to the photographer, including where they’ll be seated. Also give the photographer a schedule of the day so that they can be in the right place at the right time. If they grab a bite to eat at the exact moment that the father-daughter dance begins, no one will be pleased. The more information you give your photographer, the better they can capture your memories.
Make sure that the timetable for your finished project is specified on your contract. You don’t want your pictures to show up after your 3rd anniversary! Know what your responsibilities are so that you can select your favorite shots from the proofs and follow up with your photographer to make sure that your pictures are delivered to you in a timely manner. Most couples can expect to receive their wedding album between 2 to 5 months after their wedding day. Communication is key; again, if you’ve done your homework and selected the right photographer, getting your wedding pictures will be a fun project.
After you’ve invested emotions, time, and money in your wedding day, you deserve to look back at gorgeous photos that make moments last forever. Selecting the right wedding photographer ensures that you relive the best parts of that day whenever you want.