How to get the best out of your Wedding Photography

Here are some tips I give all my LK Photography brides for getting the best out of your wedding photography.

CHOOSING A PHOTOGRAPHER
· Ensure you get along with your photographer. They will be with you throughout the day and will be a big part of your memories of the day.
· See samples to ensure you choose according to their style of photography and not just budget. Budget is important but if you don’t like your photos, cheaper with longer hours may not please you as much as a less hours with a more expensive photographer whose work you like.
· Photographers’ pricing ranges according to their popularity experience and expenses.

BUDGETING
· Consider how many hours you would ideally like covered and how you would like to have your memories recorded eg. Albums, prints on walls, gifts for family or bridal party.
· Suggest Gift Vouchers as birthday, wedding etc gifts to obtain your extras from your photographer.
· Think about what is necessary to get printed professionally giving you 100 year UV framed lifespan as opposed to colour cast/scratched paper, fading over few years when you get cheaper prints and albums.

HI-RES FILES
· Do you need to be able to print your photos yourself? If so, check your photographer allows this in your agreement and will include a DVD of your high resolution files set up for printing which is not the same as viewing.

PHOTOGRAPHY AGREEMENTS
· Photographer agreements/contracts are common with professional photographers.
· They protect you and your photographer in all possible circumstances so if an unforeseen event happens, you both know what action to take.
· Ensure you read it and understand it and discuss any questions or concerns with your photographer before signing.

CHOOSING A MAKEUP ARTIST
· Lots of people can apply beautiful makeup. Very few know how and what to apply to get the best out of your photography.
· Look at your makeup artists photos that have not been Photoshopped in some way, if possible. If this is not available, have a makeup trial and take photos of yourself close up and from far away. Photos from close up ensures enough concealer/foundation has been applied. Photos from far away ensures your makeup is strong enough when camera flash is lighting up your face so you don’t look washed out and it ensures that you aren’t getting shine on your forehead, nose and chin.
· Don’t use glitter on your face or body. It looks lovely in person but in photos it looks like little beads of sweat.
· Also consider your hairstyle for the day for the location you will be at. Untied hair will constantly be in your face in the wind and often that is not editable by your photographer.

PRE-WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS
· Having a 1 hr pre-wedding/engagement/e-session is a great way of trialling your photographer to see how you get along, what photography style you prefer, what poses you prefer, as well as what editing style you prefer.
· On your day you will be much more relaxed in front of the camera and this shows in your photos.
· If you get prints, it also allows you to see the quality of wedding prints you will receive plus you can mat one of your prints so your wedding guests can sign it.

LOCATIONS, TIMING, TIDES, DATES
· A less crowded location is a better choice. Do you really want strangers in the background of your wedding photos or have to pay your photographer more to edit them all out?
· Visit your location if possible in the month, day of the week, time of day that you will be having your photos taken.
· Less travel time means more photo time so try to choose the closest possible location between your ceremony and reception. More travel time and more people travelling often means more travel costs if hiring a car.
· More photo time means more relaxed looking photos and more variety in your photos.
· If you have a choice for the time of day your photos will be taken, try choose early morning or at least 2 hours before dusk to avoid harsh midday light that makes shadows under your eyes.
· Try not to have a rushed schedule as this will add to pressure on the day rather than enjoying the day but consider your guests may be waiting around for you, though most expect to be waiting and are happy to do so if they are fed and watered.
· Check if your date is on daylight saving time as having a summer wedding will give you extra light at the end of the day which means you have more time in which to have photos taken. You can check the sunset time for the location you will be at for your wedding day on http://www.ga.gov.au/geodesy/astro/sunrise.jsp
· A location that is sentimental to you both can be a good choice.
· If your location is to be next to water, you may wish to check tide times before choosing your photography time on http://www.bom.gov.au/oceanography/tides/
· Some parks etc charge fees for having your photos taken there so check with the council. Even if there are no fees applicable you may be able to book the park etc so that no other event, picnic, surf carnival, wedding happens there at the same time.
· Optimism is wonderful but please have a back up photography location close by in case the weather turns nasty.
· When choosing your wedding date, consider some reception venues offer discounts on certain days of the week.
· Check if your preferred wedding date falls on school holidays, public holidays as this may effect your number of guests able to attend and it often determines how busy your photo location will be.

SCHEDULING
· Ensure you make a realistic schedule. Remember photographers are often the last to arrive and have much more gear to pack and unpack each time they get in and out of the car so be very generous with your allowed time for them to travel.
· Your Schedule should looks something like this:
· Bride before the ceremony (60min) + Travel + Groom before the ceremony (10-60min) + Travel + Bride’s arrival (10min) + Ceremony including signing time (20-60min) + Congratulations from guests (10-20min) + Big group photo (10min) + Family photos (10-20min) + Travel + Bridal party photos (20-60min) + Bride and Groom with children (20min) + Romantic photos of Bride and Groom alone (30-120min) + Travel + Rest/Makeup touch up/Bathroom break/Drink (15min) + Bridal party entering reception (5-10min) + and then in no particular order add Photos of decorations (5-15min) + Cake cutting (5min) + Speeches (5min per speaker) + Waltz (5-15min) + Entrée (30-40min) + Main meal (40-60min) + Photos with guests (20-30min) + Night photography (15-25min) + Dessert (20min) + Garter and bouquet throw (15min) + Dancing/party photos (20 min) + Special event/performances/gift giving (5-15min) + Farewells (30min).

Need some advice? Call Laura from LK Photography now for a chat on 0413144603.