Did You Know?

Brides spend five times longer looking for their wedding dress which they will wear only once, than they do looking for a wedding photographer who's photographs they will look at for the rest of their lives!

So what's the secret of getting great wedding photographs without spending all that extra time....?

Great Wedding photographs don't just appear, the bride and groom are part of the process with the photographer. There are several simple things you can do to improve your wedding photographs; as well as some important things to know about your photographer and whether his or her photographic style works with what you want.

Remember this: When you open your album you want to be wowed. The wow factor happens for two reasons. Firstly your photographer has given you something unexpected. Secondly and perhaps more importantly, your photographer has captured something you were anticipating. If you want the wow factor you need both. Here are some things you can do yourself and insights to think about when choosing a wedding photographer.

1. Look at each other

You are marrying each other not the minister or the registrar. I took ten years out to become a Baptist Minister and I want to assure you that it’s okay to face one another. It also gives your photographer the opportunity to capture the intimacy of your wedding vows, rather than seeing the back of your heads.

Talk to whoever is marrying you and tell them you want to look at each other during the service.

2. Do, do crazy things on the day

Act on the spur of the moment. Spontaneous things make great wedding photographs and a good photographer will lap it up.

Dance in bear feet, jump off (low) walls so your dress goes whoosh, Grooms, literally sweep your bride off her feet.

3. Colour or Black and White ?

Black and white and colour photographs are very different. Black and white is atmospheric and dramatic, colour photographs should be either subtle or vibrant never wishy-washy; ask to see enlargements of both.

Make sure you get both in your album. Ask what the mix will be, I usually do 60% black and white for couple shots and 70% colour for group shots. Ask your photographer which they prefer and why?

4. Do it for real NOT pretend

Beware part-time wedding photographers who do MOCK cake cutting and MOCK first dances so they can get away quickly. Very soon they will want to do mock marriages! Don't accept MOCK anything. If your photographer is not at the cake cutting then they've missed the speeches, the wedding breakfast and that special moment when dad kissed aunty Sally. You need your photographer by your side all day.

5. Can you trust your photographer?

Trust is important. You need to feel secure with your photographer, they will see you both made up and completely un-made. You need to be confident that when they suggest you pose in a particular way, you know that its going to make a great photograph.

The chemistry between the Bride and her photographer is crucial, the alternative is tension and that’s bad news for everyone.

6. Style and approach

A photographer can't be all things to all people. Ask what their photographic style is - reportage, traditional, photo journalism. Does their approach agree with yours? Will they deliver what you really want to receive?

7. Listening

The first time you meet your photographer, check whether you feel they listened to you.

your photographer listens to your ideas and creates something special from them.

To know what you are expecting requires your photographer to have a trained ear and listen to your preferences, likes and dislikes - so that your photographs are tailor made, just for you.

8. Flexibility

"Customer is King" is a true saying, or in this case " Queen" and being flexible to your needs is essential.

Let me state one crucial fact: your wedding is UNIQUE. Therefore, you need a photographer who appreciates your personal tastes and desires and is not trying to fit you into one of their packages.

If a photographer is not flexible to your desires before your wedding day, the chances are, they will be even less flexible on your day.

9. To be seen or not to be seen

There's a big difference between being seen and being noticed.

The main reason photographers get noticed is because they stop guiding and start demanding; stop being part of the wedding and take charge of the wedding.

You need to trust your photographer to know the best pose. But question whether he or she has the right to make everyone wait for their meal, or stop the ceremony when they missed a shot? Because it happens.

Ask them what they would you do if they hadn’t got all the photographs by the time the meal is due? Are you happy with their answer?

The size of flashguns gets photographers noticed. Perhaps its a man thing! Sadly its not, just as many women photographers use flashguns.

A flash can remove shadows which often define a photograph. It is harsher on skin tones and complexions, bleaching pale skin.

With high speed cameras, lenses and a proper understanding of exposure, most photographs can be taken with available light.

Most ministers and registrars do not allow flash photography during the ceremony. Therefore shooting with available light enables the photographer to take far more photographs.

Don’t forget, we live in a world of shades and shadows and that’s what makes photographs interesting. Shadows are the subtle detail that make you search a photograph to find out more.

10. Know what's going to happen in case of bad weather

You can never guarantee the weather, especially in the UK. When the sun is out photography is easier because there are usually lots of places to go with the bridal party.

But when its raining its a different story. Space is usually limited and locations likewise, yet great photographs are still possible with the right preparation.

Without exception make sure your photographer checks out the wedding and reception venues if they’ve never photographed there before. If a photographer is using only available light they will do this as standard practice..

What is the secret of great wedding photography? It is the marrying of minds between the couple and their photographer. With these 10 simple steps in place you can just sit back and let your glorious wedding day unfold beautifully in front of you. Confident in the knowledge that you will end up with some great wedding photographs.