Who to entrust with wedding photos
Published: 01.09.2020
Preparing for a wedding is always accompanied by the question: who to entrust with the wedding photos. The choice of a photographer affects the quality of the pictures and the overall experience. We will tell you who you can trust with your wedding photos and how to do it.
Preparing for a wedding is accompanied by a lot of hassle. You need to manage to order, buy, invite, etc. Expenses are planned carefully, as every penny counts. And the offer from the husband's cousin's sister's son to photograph the wedding is welcomed with open arms.
Great offer: he is an amateur photographer with experience and is willing to do a photo shoot for free as a gift.
Should I accept a relative's offer?
This is a difficult decision. Your wedding photos are one of the few things that you will enjoy throughout your entire life. They capture moments you didn't even know existed, allowing you to relive the amazing day for years to come.
At the same time, they can take up a significant portion of your budget. It's tempting when someone close to you offers such a great gift!
If you agree to accept such a gift, ask yourself a few questions:
Do you want the person who will be photographing the wedding to be in the photos?
If a family member spends time behind the camera, they will never be in front of it. At any moment, they may shed tears, burst into laughter, and the party on the dance floor will not be captured.
Is it important for you to have a family member as the photographer in group photos?
You can set up a tripod. Turn on the timer. But additional time is needed for the setup.
Make sure there is room for it in your photo shoot schedule.
Can you and your partner open up in front of this person? Personal intimate photos at weddings are taken when the couple is alone with the photographer. Professional wedding photographers have the talent to remain invisible during such shoots. If you do not feel any discomfort when familiar eyes are on you, put a plus sign next to this question.
Is your relative a professional photographer? A wedding is an important event, no matter how pompous it may sound. A professional photographer relieves you of worries about the shooting, in case something goes wrong. You can sign a contract with them and rid yourself of unnecessary stress. It's unlikely that you will be able to draw up a contract with a relative :)
Will there be copies of the photos? Professionals always bring backup equipment in case any of their gear fails on the wedding day. Every wedding photographer has a system for backing up in multiple locations, so you never have to worry about losing the images.
What kind of photographer is your relative? How often and what does he photograph? Does he have experience in dealing with people or does he only shoot underwater world? A wedding requires shooting in harsh lighting conditions and in space. You need to change camera settings instantly. It is important to capture emotional candid moments of the guests. Fully control the situation and suggest how to pose beautifully.
Are you ready to lower your expectations? If your relative lacks wedding experience, be prepared that the photo of your first kiss in a dark church may not look as stunning as that little bird he photographed in the backyard last week.
If something goes wrong, will it damage your relationship? This is the most important moment when hiring a friend or family member for wedding photography. Will you be able to set aside disagreements, no matter how serious they may be, and maintain a relationship with this person?
Hiring a professional photographer provides access to a neutral third party. In case of any disappointments, you will never have to work with that person again. A relative is someone you will have to interact with at family events.
Create a Light album from cool photos. You don't need to print the photos separately. We will print your photos directly onto the pages of the Light album. Upload images to the free editor Mapi7 and create a themed Light album. You can upload photos from your phone.
Can you afford to hire someone else? Are you trying your best to find the means to hire a professional photographer? No matter how important wedding photography may be, it's not worth getting into debt. Asking someone you personally trust is a great way to lighten this burden.
Recreate the wedding day.
If your budget improves in the future, plan a photoshoot and update your wedding album with the help of a professional photographer!
Wedding photos look great not only in photo books and albums. A close-up shot can be printed on canvas.
7 tips for choosing a wedding photographer
If you decide not to risk your memories and invite a professional, we offer 7 tips on how to choose a wedding photographer.
1
Book in advance.
It is advisable to book a photographer's services six months before the wedding. Or a year in advance if the photographer is in high demand.
2
Create a style. Look at the works of photographers. Browse wedding blogs. This will give you an idea of the style of photos. Collect a collection of inspiring shots. Analyze them with your significant other. They can be formal.Portraits, classics or photojournalism. If you love sharp and contrasting shots, look for a photographer who knows how todramatize.
Do not limit yourself to just one style. Wedding photography combines portrait and documentary shots, color and black and white images.
Every photo is a masterpiece! Don't hide unique shots from viewers in your phones and cameras. A worthy way to showcase your talent and preserve memories is to print photos on canvas.
3
Check the photographer's work. Visit their social media pages. Read the comments. Do not ignore the remarks and complaints that the newlyweds had about the photographer. Find out what balance of strengths and weaknesses will suit you. Many are willing to overlook slow photo delivery. However, rudeness and disorganization can cause problems.
4
After narrowing down the circle of photographers, schedule a meeting with those whose work you like. Ask them to show you a complete wedding album. Some photographers may have twenty amazing shots from each wedding, but the other eight hundred shots might be boring.
And even though twenty stunning photos of your wedding is all that will be used over time, make sure you get what you pay for.
Dear, experienced photographer constantly works with inspiration. A less expensive photographer, creating their portfolio, should provide you with several inspiring images and a reliable documentary film for the rest of the day.
5
Pay attention to lighting. It is easiest to shoot a wedding during the daytime, with the ceremony in the shade. However, if you are planning to get married in a dark church or having a reception outdoors, it is important to find a photographer who knows how to work with such lighting. Do not think that experience with low lighting is equivalent to skill.
Look for wedding photos in the photographer's portfolio taken in similar lighting conditions. Ask how they plan to handle your specific situation. If you notice in the portfolio that photos taken after dark are processed in...black and whiteIn this mode, it is a hint that the photographer is not very comfortable in such conditions.
6
Discuss the compensation. Many photographers offer a price list that details several different service packages. Make sure you understand what is included. Ask how much time the photographer will spend with you (ideally eight to ten hours) and if there will be a second photographer. This way, you will get more detailed shots.
7
Do a trial photo shoot. An engagement photo session is always a good idea. You will get to know your photographer and start feeling more comfortable. Especially if you are camera shy.
Photos are a valuable wedding gift to cherish memories. Choosing the right photographer to capture those special moments is the right decision. It is important to find a professional who understands your vision of the wedding day and can stylishly document it.
