Wedding Albums
(Level: Any)
If you’ve ever heard the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, then you will know why having all of those special wedding moments captured in photography is so important. A wedding is one of the most treasured events in a couple’s life and can be preserved for years to come with quality photographs.
It’s a good idea to pass around a small disposable camera to all of your family and friends, which will allow them to snap their favorite moments. A photographer cannot be everywhere, so allow your guests to provide you with special memories through their eyes. At the end of the day, collect the cameras and develop them at a local photo center.
Even with photos taken by your wedding guests, the bride and groom will probably want professional portraits for their frame at home, as well as for their memory book. Once the wedding is over, the only recorded memories will be those captured in photography or on video.
When selecting a photographer, the bride and groom should both meet with the studio and discuss the ceremony. It is important for both to be comfortable with the photographer as he/she will be responsible for capturing one of the happiest moments in your life.
It’s also important that the photographer understand the theme of the wedding, as well as be informed of the location, date and time. If you already have a professional photographer that you are comfortable with, that’s perfect.
If not, ask for referrals from friends, family members and/or co-workers. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising and can often save from wondering about the quality of the photography. Many professional photographers, especially the good ones, book up early. Most couples plan their wedding for months, so getting in touch ahead of time will help to ensure that your special day gets captured on film by the photographer of your choice.
Once all of the details are decided, ask for a signed contract. Read everything carefully before signing and be sure to ask about cancellation policies, rescheduling or other unforeseen event.
When the photographer arrives on scene to begin taking photographs, don’t be alarmed if he/she does not show up with a large crew. Perhaps they will be carrying a single digital camera, which is becoming more and more popular among modern photography.
Many professionals have given up their darkroom and have since gone digital. This allows instant approval of photos and ordering of prints. It saves additional time by not having to wait for proofs to be developed.
After the photos are taken and the wedding is in the past, it isn’t likely that you will be provided with the negatives of your wedding photos, but you will receive actual photo prints of the wedding package that was ordered.
It’s customary for the photographer to hold onto the negatives for several years incase you want to reorder prints. A large part of the photographer’s revenue will derive from reprints, so they aren’t likely to hand the negatives over right away. Each photographer’s policy will be different, but you can ask about purchasing the negatives and when they will be made available.
Article written by Cynthia - Wedding Party Help