Friday, March 18, 2011

Wedding Photography - Don't Rely on an Amateur

When you're planning your wedding, there are a lot of different things to think about to make your day wonderful. However, long after the last piece of cake has been eaten, you'll want to be able to relive your special day through the photos. Wedding photography is a specialist art and no matter what else you economise on, do employ a professional photographer. Just because your cousin or your brother takes great snaps, it doesn't mean that they will be able to get your wedding photography just right with all the traditional poses, the right people in the photos and everyone looking their best.
Take out a professional wedding photography contract and you won't regret it. You'll know the cost in advance for the number of photos you want to be taken and for the number you'll want reprinted for your special album.
However, I'm getting ahead here; first of all you need to find someone to do your wedding photography. You can search the web for wedding photographers in your area or consult your local phone book, but the best recommendation is a personal one so if you have friends or colleagues who have been married lately, ask them who they used. Ask to see their wedding album and ask them if the photographer was pleasant and easy to work with.
When choosing your photographer, don't forget that you'll be seeing quite a lot of one another on your big day. If you want to invite your photographer behind the scenes, to photograph you getting dressed or made up, you'll want to be working with someone you can get along with and whom you can trust.
Wedding photography is a very personal thing so be sure to choose a photographer who will produce the sort of pictures that you want. If you want zany, off-the-wall pics, don't choose a traditionalist and vice versa. Interview a few photographers and exchange ideas before you make your final choice. Don't forget that a photographer is like an extra guest at your wedding. He or she should be dressed appropriately and be able to get along with all your guests from your five year old page boy to your aged granny.
The average cost of wedding photography is between $1500 and $4000. I know that this is a wide band, but it very much depends on the type of wedding that you're planning and the number and style of photos. If you want the photographer to get up at dawn to take your photos on the beach at sunrise then the cost of his or her time will obviously increase. The number of guests at your wedding can also have a bearing on the average cost of wedding photography as well as any special effects or props that you ask for.
Try not to economise on your wedding photography because in years to come, those photos will be your only reminder of your happiest day.

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