I've been exactly where you are. And let me tell you, my wedding photography tips are: this is not where you cut corners to save money.
#1 of my wedding photography money saving tips of advice is, don't trust the photography for your wedding to anyone but a professional who specializes in weddings.
As one of the most important wedding decisions that you'll make, when you select a photographer these are the guidelines that Cater-Hater recommends:
- Choose someone who has mastered both the technical and artistic sides of wedding photography. Look to hire a member of the Professional Photographers of America organization. These are professionals who have committed to years of education and met high certification standards.
- Try looking for photographers at bridal fairs where you can meet with them one-on-one, or visit their studios to talk with them there.
- Review the photographer's portfolio of work to determine if their style is what you'd like to see hanging on your own walls.
- Make sure that your personality is a match with theirs. Everyone knows how you relate to the photographer can be very important. The better the rapport, the more comfortable you'll be. And the more comfortable you'll be, the more comfortable your future husband, and the rest of your bridal party, will be be. This important factor is the key to accomplishing a successful end result.
- Decide what style you're going for: casual, formal, or something in between. While the trend is "personal"; toward a personal, formal or personal, casual look - consider adding a few traditional shots for family members.
- Ask the photographer that you're considering for references, and find out if their clients were satisfied with the results and service they paid for.
- Book early to ensure availability of the photographer.
- Consider the setting for your wedding night photographs. Do you want pictures of you and your maid-of-honor shopping for wedding dresses? What type of shots do you want of your wedding dress? Do you want pictures reminiscent of a recent celebrity wedding; say, the Kardashian Odom wedding pics? What type of pictures do you want taken of your wedding invitation (and close-ups of your wedding invitation wording), and wedding cake? How many pictures do you want of your wedding flowers and your wedding rings? Will you want pictures of your wedding favors? Do you want your pictures taken in a garden? Or at the beach? Or at your home? What type of pictures do you want of the two of you saying your wedding vows? How many pictures do you and your future husband dancing to a medley of your favorite wedding songs? Will you want a lot of pictures taken of your wedding decorations? Do you want them printed in color? In sepia? Or in black and white? Or do you want an assortment of each?
- Make sure you check to find out if there are any rules about taking pictures at the ceremony site.
- Provide your photographer with a bridal photography wish list to make sure that no one is left out of your wedding album. Appoint a bridal party member to assist the photographer in identifying your guests.
- Review your photographer's options and prices. Choose a package, or your best value might be to select prints and sizes individually.
- Plan a budget for your wedding photography that includes the photographer's fee, portraits, your keepsake albums, parents albums, individual prints and enlargements.
- Ask your guests to capture candid moments with one-time-use Kodak cameras to complement your professional wedding photos.
Cater-Hater Tip: Wedding pictures aren't expensive... they're priceless. Because of this, carefully choose the person that you believe is best suited for the job. Look for a photographer who will guarantee lifetime replacement of your wedding photographs.
Best wishes for a beautiful and memorable wedding day!
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