Wedding Photography: A Personal Guide

People ask me why I ventured into wedding photography. I guess for me, it all boiled down to an interest and love of portraiture and people. In one day of wedding photography, you get to be a Photojournalist, Landscape photographer and a Portrait photographer, couple that with a high adrenaline environment and it can be very challenging and fun. It is a culmination of all that I love about photography wrapped into a neat package.


Tips for the Photographer:

This is the only time where you will change your hat and be a businessman instead of a photographer. Have a portfolio ready or a sampler album to show your clients. Be clear what you are offering to them.

For me, my photography is about Quality. I only shoot 12-15 weddings a year to really spend time with my client's wedding day and photographs to process later.

My brides are those that appreciate art, beauty and quality of work. They deserve only the best from me.

Tips for the bride:
The Meeting

It is very important for the couple to meet with their photographer in person before signing the contract. Wedding photography is people photography. An effective photographer has to have excellent people skills and a good rapport with the couple. The couple needs to be confident in the skills of their photographer and to feel at ease with him.

Read the contract carefully make sure you are protected and that everything is covered. Don't hesitate to pose questions to the photographer not only regarding the contract or the package, but also on how he feels about his photography and his vision for your wedding as well.
Photography is an art and it needs a lot of creativity and passion to drive it.

















The Package

Here is a breakdown of the package that I offer to my clients. I wanted a package that is affordable and customizable.

- Free consultation

- Six to Eight Hour Coverage (This would cover 2 hours of preparation, 3 hours of ceremony and 2 to 3 hours of the reception. )

- Photographer and assistant photographer (A second photographer is a big plus since it will allow different perspectives on the wedding and also a greater range of photos you can choose from. It also protects the client from shots that could be missed by one photographer)

- Ownership of original high resolution images on DVD of all shots taken (This is a great value to the clients, as they do not have to pay extra to the photographer for prints and they could see the whole selections of images from their wedding. Print all you want :) )

- Ownership of 50 edited photographers choice images on DVD (One of the reasons why my clients choose me is my approach to photo editing. I apply different styles to my favorite images, be it black and white, editorial, bold fashion or subdued and romantic)

- 50 4 x 6 prints of edited images (There is nothing like seeing a photo on paper and touching it, rather than on a computer screen. I also give my clients prints of my favorite edited pictures in lovely lustre paper)

- 1 - 11 x 14 Metallic Print (I love metallic paper, it adds a nice pop to the image. I offer this to my clients for them to frame and hang on their wall)

- Online album of 50 Photographers choice images (Two to three weeks after the wedding, I post my favorite images on my website so the couple can share their pictures to their friends and family as soon as possible)


CUSTOMIZE IT WITH ADD-ONS

- Premium Coffee Table style photo album
- Canvas Gallery Prints
- Thank You Cards
- Engagement session with slideshow cd to present on your wedding reception
- Trash the Dress session (for the daring and funky bride)
- Budoir Session (a more private sexy photo shoot, high fashion)
- Additional Photography Hour(s) (if six hours of coverage is not enough for you, you could always add more)


I will be writing this article in four parts, the engagement session and the three parts of the wedding day: the preparation, the ceremony and the reception. This will act as a primer not only for other up and coming wedding photographers but also to the bride, so she knows what to expect from her photographer on that special day.


next topic... The Engagement Session