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When you're planning your wedding, whether it's a grand event lasting all day or an intimate romantic destination elopement, you want to use all available means to choose the very best wedding photographer you can afford. These days it means using the internet to check out websites, photo samples and reputations. You can of course still rely on referrals from friends, bridal shows and visits to studios. In many ways the internet has given us a new time saving tool.
Choosing just the right wedding photographer for your special day can't be overstated. We all know that photographs are the lasting mementos of your celebration. You'll want to be filled with delight each time you look at your wedding images. You'll also want to feel that same feeling year after year when you pull out the wedding album to reminisce about the day you said "I do" to your beloved.
As you are well aware, there is really only one opportunity to make the right choice when it comes to your wedding photos, remembering, that they'll be around for a long time. If you are lucky, your children and grandchildren will have the pleasure of seeing you on your wedding day, you won't want to be thinking of what "might have been" when you look at your wedding album.
You want the wedding photography portion of the wedding day to be a home run, a hit out of the park as they say, so you'll want to choose carefully. There are so many factors that can come into play when choosing your wedding photographer, most couples immediately think of the cost first, and everything else as secondary. If that were truly the best way to choose a photographer, you could have uncle Harry take the photos and eliminate the cost all together! I can tell you firsthand that most couples who do that, live to regret that decision. It's one of those decisions that you can't undo or do over very conveniently.
Hiring a professional photographer that specializes in weddings allows you to relax and know that very big piece of the wedding puzzle is in good hands. You'll want a relaxed, experienced photographer who will be aware of the events of the day, that knows where to be and when well in advance. You also want to choose a photographer that matches your style. Whether it is formal and posed or more photojournalistic and casual.. or perhaps a blend of the best of both worlds. Every wedding is different, every couple is different, a different church, a different park, different time of day, different events, different players. Something as significant as the time of day and lighting can really affect the quality of your wedding photos. A top wedding photographer plans everything in advance so when the spontaneity of the moment happens, they are prepared and can snap the best shot from the best angle. Their skill and expertise give them the edge to see and capture all of those special moments and details effortlessly.
A great wedding photographer can blend in with your family and friends, in such a way that you barely know they are around. Yet sometimes like magic they step in and grab the perfect shot you weren't even aware of. The best wedding photographers are not just familiar with a location, but lighting, the time of day, knowing how to arrange groups, posing couples, all with a smile. It stands to reason,the more talented, confident and experienced your photographer, the better your photos will be. You as a couple will also look your very best because of that lighting, posing and the extra time spent making sure everything is just perfect for you. Think: patience, people skills and photographic talent, I like to call them "the big three"!
Many couples these days will be traveling for a destination wedding, or a romantic elopement away from home,
and of course your photographs are every bit as important as ones taken for a traditional wedding! These are the couples I most often work with. You can opt to hire a photographer to take with you or hire one based at your destination. If you are hiring a photographer at your wedding destination, it is often impossible to meet with the photographer ahead of time. So it is a good to take a bit of extra care when contracting their services. It is also a very good idea to have a conversation at length, as to your expectations and needs. A written agreement should be made that includes exactly what you'll receive, length of time of services, date, time, extra expenses and any other special requirements or expectations. You should create a time line with your photographer, from payment dates, events on the day of the wedding, when you will receive your finished prints and album. You should also review
how your images will be made available to you to make your selections, via the internet, or proofs or in the studio, or if you will own the images and the rights to reprint.
One should also ask for references and always, always check out samples of their recent work. Luckily, these days as I mentioned earlier, we have the internet. Websites are great to see the work of a potential photographer. There are websites like Yelp and CitySearch that also rate photographers, There are professional associations and wedding websites that give referrals over the internet as well. One of my very favorite internet avenues is YouTube. It's a fantastic way to check out a wedding photographers work. It happens to be one of the best methods for choosing a wonderful wedding photographer, by being able to see the work they post online on YouTube. This medium will give you great information about your photographers style and skills.
With the freedom and convenience of the internet, you can now take advantage of lots of resources that weren't available just a few years ago. For instance, if your destination is Aspen in winter, you'll want to find a top wedding photographer who specializes in winter weather photography. If your romantic wedding destination is near the beaches of sunny Southern California, you'll want to find an expert beach wedding photographer. So, whether your wedding is in your hometown, Aspen, or beautiful Southern California a check on YouTube can be invaluable to get a feel for the style of your potential photographer and it is quick.
The YouTube link above is a sample of some of my favorite weddings I've photographed over the last year or so. In short, since I've told you all about choosing a great photographer, and since this is my blog, I no doubt will have to put in a plug for myself! You can always count on me for great photographs and memories of your wedding day on Coronado Beach! I'm totally passionate about photography...me: Christine Haslet owner and photographer at ElopeSanDiego.com and here is my page on our website !
