Personality

The wedding photographer will most likely be around the bride and groom more than any other person on the wedding day. It is important that the photographer has a personality that they enjoy being around.

Some photographers are casual and laid back about everything while some are a little more controlling at running the show. The casual laid back photographer is most likely not going to get in the way much and is going to capture the candid shots that everyone loves. The more controlling photographer is going to be able to get people where they need to be and set up some perfect shots for the fireplace mantle.

Most photographers probably fall somewhere in-between the two. There are also other personality types such as the overly friendly person vs. the quiet person. No one personality is better than another: it’s all up to the bride and groom to decide who they want to spend the day with.
Some studios will hire other photographers to work for them. When having the consultation with the studio, identify if that person will be photographing the wedding or someone else, and ask to meet the person who will be there on the wedding day.

Albums, Prints, and Disks

If buying the optional book or album, check the quality ahead of time. Will people be able to flip through it years later? Will it hold together? Does the photographer do a good job of using the album to tell a story of the wedding day? These are all things one should consider before making a purchase.

If photographic prints are provided, what type of paper and inks are used? Does the photographer do the prints or do they send them to a quality lab? If a disk or flash drive is provided, what is on the disk or flash drive? For example, do they provide high-resolution JPG files that the clients can use to make prints later? Or are they low resolution, which will only work on websites but won’t create a quality print?

There is nothing wrong with the photographer limiting what is in the initial package and charging more for extras like a full resolution disk or additional prints. Just make sure to ask questions, understand the order, and that everything is documented in the contract.

Examples

Photographers are only going to show people their best work. Since most photographers do online galleries, ask to get a link to a couple of other client galleries. Look through and see what the overall work looks like. This has an additional benefit of setting the client’s expectations realistically, because not all photographs taken will look like they belong on the cover of a bride magazine.

Style

Any good photographer is going to do a combination of “candid” and “formal” pictures. And it’s important to have both. Are the formal shots posed in a way that the client will be happy with? Do the candids look natural and memorable? The style of the photographer should match the mood of what the bride and groom imagine for their wedding memories.

Thanks to Photoshop and ever-changing technology, will the pictures be cool-looking now, but dated later? Think glam shots from the 80’s. Also, are the images consistent? Does the photographer use a lot of soft or hard lighting, high contrast or low, and identify what the breakdown between black and white and color images is?

Price

Setting a realistic budget for a photographer is important. Once that budget has been established, make sure to understand what is being provided by the photographer for that price, including the cost of any extras. Examples of extras include: extra time, additional prints or disks, albums, and more.

Photographers don’t just charge for a product, they charge for time, and that needs to be taken into consideration when hiring a professional. Processing pictures and creating albums are all time put in after the wedding day. The final product should reflect the time put into it by the photographer.

References

Popular sites like frugalbride.com will tell people to get references but, for the most part, references are a waste of time. Photographers aren’t going to provide a reference to someone dissatisfied with their service. They are only going to provide happy clients as references. And if they don’t have happy clients, they could provide friends or family pretending to be happy clients. There is no way to verify who the person is providing the reference is and how accurate it is, so why bother wasting time? Instead look to see if they have received any online review. If they have a facebook profile for example, you can check reviews left for them. The same with Google and Yelp.

Number of Pictures

With digital technology, the number of photographs taken at a wedding are too numerous to use. What is important is the quality of the pictures received. A photographer can take a thousand images at a wedding, but if only 10 of them are any good, it’s a waste.

Experience

Try to avoid finding someone who just bought a digital camera and is looking to make a few bucks on the side. Yes, this will cut down on the overall budget of the wedding, but the quality of the product and quality of the service will most likely reflect as such. Everyone has to start somewhere and gain experience. But for photographers, this can be done via classes and as an assistant for other photographers. It doesn’t have to be at your wedding, so make sure to have experienced people.

There is a lot of stress on a wedding day for everyone involved, and it is important to have someone taking the pictures who has worked with other photographers and knows how to deal with situations as they arise. It’s also important not to have someone who is trying to figure out how the flash works after lining up the guests for formal pictures. By having an experienced photographer, there is one less thing for the bride and groom to worry about.

Low-Quality Equipment

Nowadays most everyone uses digital equipment. And DSLR cameras can be cheaply purchased, but there is a difference between a Canon Rebel and a Canon 5D, or a Nikon D90 and Nikon D3. There is a reason one costs in the hundreds and the others in the thousands. There is more to a camera than just megapixels, and there is a huge difference between a $200 hundred dollar lens and a $2,000 dollar lens.

The backup camera can be a lower-end camera, but the primary camera and lenses should be of higher quality. Don’t be afraid to do some research on equipment for verification.
Some photographers can get fantastic shots with some pretty low-end equipment, and some use it as a style choice for the results it provides. But, quite often the photographers who are charging a reasonable price will take some of that revenue and invest it in quality equipment.

Professionalism

A photographer is someone that arrives before the wedding begins, spends the day interacting with just about everyone who attends, and will usually stay until the end of the night. It is important that that person be professional, courteous, and blends in appropriately with the guests. If the photographer is disorganized or has a bad attitude, they should probably be avoided.

There are photographers who will show up in a Hawaiian shirt and jeans, and that works for them as it is who they are and how they want to present themselves. Others will show up in black slacks and a black shirt, in an attempt to blend in as best as possible. It is up to the bride and groom to decide on how they want the photographer to present themselves. If they want a photographer in a suit or specific wardrobe, they should make sure to clarify it in advance. It doesn’t need to be in the contract but should be discussed.

To Summarize

There is a reason a professional photographer’s album looks better than one an average person might create using an at-home template. There is also a reason a professional’s picture looks better than an amateur with a newly purchased digital camera. Even so, it is important to balance quality with the cost of service because, at the end of the day, the cake will be eaten, the flowers will rot, and the memories will fade, but the photographs will last a lifetime.

With so many wedding photographers to choose from, there is no reason to settle on a photographer that isn’t going to be exactly what is wanted. Sometimes personalities match, and sometimes they don’t: there is nothing wrong with acknowledging it. A photographer shouldn’t take it offensively if a client chooses not to book them. But they might ask why. If they do, be honest and be polite. If they are any good, they will take that feedback and use it as an opportunity for improvement.

The post Advice For Choosing a Wedding Photographer appeared first on D Studios Photography.

Price and Services

The contract should clearly document the price and services offered. It should also be clear as to the deposit, when the full balance is due, and what part is refundable due to cancellation. It happens.

Most contracts will involve a non-refundable retainer to the photographer. This is usually a percentage of the total cost or a flat fee amount. Be sure that this is a reasonable amount. The photographer is reserving that date, so if the wedding is canceled the photographer isn’t making any money. It is important that they are compensated for that. But it’s also important to the client that the amount is not exaggerated.

Liability

One of the essential items in a contract is who is liable for what. Equipment might get damaged, things break, the film (if they use film) gets lost, accidents happen. It is important to have a documented contract of who is liable for these types of incidents.

Memory cards fail, and shots get missed, venue lighting can be poor quality, etc. multiple things could prevent the bride and groom from receiving everything they want. A wedding photographer might miss a key shot for any number of reasons. The clients shouldn’t hold the photographer liable for that, as long as it is clear the photographer is making every effort to provide a quality product.

Timelines

The contract should also discuss delivery timeframes and how long the photographer will hold on to materials. It’s important that the photographer follow through and provide the end product in the timeline agreed upon. It’s not always going to be right away, especially during the busy summer wedding season, so it’s necessary that both parties understand and agree.

No Show

The contract should clearly state what the photographer’s liability is if they are unable to attend or if something happens to the pictures before delivery. A photographer might get sick, or something could happen that would prevent them from photographing the wedding. The contract will tell the client what the photographer plans to do if such a situation arises. This will usually involve committing to providing a backup photographer to take their place.

Rights to Images

If the photographer is good, they will include in the contract who maintains the rights to the images, and that should be the photographer. After all, they are the one doing the work. But be sure the photographer stipulates what they could use the photographs for. Typical uses are for advertising, contests, and possibly stock sales.

Also be sure the client knows what they can do with the images. They might be thinking, anything, but that is not the case. If the photographer maintains the rights to the pictures, and the clients then sell them to a stock agency, the client could be liable if they don’t have permission to do so from the photographer. Keep in mind, it is standard practice for the photographer to maintain the rights to the images and this should be expected.

In The End

It is vital that one of the first things established when meeting and agreeing to hire a photographer is who is responsible for what. During the day of the wedding itself or even after the fact, when people’s emotions are involved, there will be a well-written document that each party can refer back to for clarification. The less hassle, the better; both a good contract and educated clients will lead to the least amount of problems and the happiest set of memories for what is the majority of people’s most special day.

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The bottom of the pyramid is where most photographers start. It is also where the majority of photographers are. They are often new to the business, charging less in order to become established photographers. The experienced photographers who earn a bit more are higher up. There are less of them, because they are the ones who stick it out, develop their skills, and can justify charging a bit more.

Then, of course, you have the top. These are the really high paid ones, the ones that do celebrity weddings and weddings for those who have a lot to spend. These are the ones who know the business inside and out and are at the top of their game. These are often the photographers many of us aspire to become. This is not me. I think I am in the middle somewhere, and the reason is, I don’t focus 100% of my time on wedding photography. Primarily I focus on studio photography, with a smaller portion of my business relying on weddings. Still, I have learned a few things over the years that might help you out as you work your way up.

First and foremost, having a camera does not make you a wedding photographer. This is the majority of what makes up the base of the aforementioned pyramid, though – people who bought a camera, looked at a few pictures online or watched some YouTube videos, and think they can photograph a wedding. They then offer to do some for free or for a really low price. This is where most wedding photographers start, which is fine, but you don’t want to stay at this level. So, before you start, take a few classes and workshops. Classes and workshops provide hands-on experience that you can’t get by watching online videos. You should know how to use your camera without thinking about it. No automatic settings, all manual. You should also know how to use flash without making it look like you are using flash. Many wedding venues tend to be a bit dark, especially churches, so knowing how to light your pictures using remote strobes (to prevent the “deer in headlights” look) is important. Often (not always) when you see people promote themselves as “natural light” photographers, it is because they don’t know how to be strobe photographers.

After learning everything about your camera, figure out working with clients to get the best out of them. Weddings are often stressful for the bride and groom, so it is up to you, the professional to remain calm and relaxed in all situations. The best way to do this is by getting a job assisting an established photographer. By working with a professional you will get to experience first-hand how they interact with their clients to get the best photographs possible. If you can, try to get experience working with multiple people. Everyone has their own way of doing things, and doing this will provide you with the opportunity to learn what works for you and what doesn’t to ultimately develop your own style. One of the best opportunities I had was working for a wedding photography studio that employed multiple photographers. I started out as a second shooter at the studio which would then pair me with different lead photographers.

Most importantly, practice as much as possible. When assisting other photographers, they will often have you holding lights, moving gear and other things that allow them to focus on dealing with the clients, but they will also provide you with the opportunity to capture some images. When they are working with clients taking pictures from one angle, move over to the side and take a few from another angle. Take some candids of guests, and after the wedding, ask the photographer to sit down and critique your work. Take all feedback with an open mind.

Utilize friends and families. Years ago, I did a wedding for a couple friends of mine as I was starting out. This allowed me the chance to practice on people I know and not be as stressed about it. You can also use sites like craigslist or adverts to offer to do a few weddings. Just make sure that you make the client aware that you are a beginner in the field. Don’t try to pass yourself off as an expert and advanced photographer. This will ensure that when you provide them with the final images and they don’t look like the cover of a magazine, they won’t be shocked. Be sure at no matter what stage you are in your career to set proper expectations with your clients.

Over the past 10 years, the average amount a wedding photographer makes per wedding hasn’t climbed with inflation. In some markets, it has decreased. This is because there are so many people who want to be wedding photographers because they have the tools and think it is an easy source of income. But as someone who does all kinds of portrait, event, and wedding photography I can speak from experience and say: weddings are extremely stressful and difficult if you want to be a top wedding photographer. Don’t decide to be a photographer just because you have a camera and want to make a little money on the side. Decide to be a photographer because you love to work with people to capture lovely images that they will cherish. It is the passion for quality that sets those at the top of the pyramid apart from those at the bottom.

The post Advice for Being a Successful Wedding Photographer appeared first on D Studios Photography.

Okay, maybe not lovely legs but hey, if you are going to wear it, show something off. And no, I did not ask what was on underneath.

Of course, no Scottish wedding would be complete without a proper bagpipe player. He was hilarious. As we were doing some of the group portraits, he “helped” by adding some additional entertainment.

Overall this was a really fun couple and I really enjoyed photographing this wedding.

Thank you for letting me be a part of this fantastic day!

The post A Fantastic Scottish Wedding appeared first on D Studios Photography.

First a wedding. My cheapest wedding package is €900 for 8 hours of coverage. And to be clear, that is very cheap in comparison to a lot of wedding photographers. But yes, it will cost more than your cousin or that random person you found on craigslist.

€900/8 = €112.50 per hour.

A decent amount per hour, you might be thinking. But, for an eight-hour wedding, plan an additional 20 hours processing images, creating albums and books, client meetings etc.

€900/28 = €32.14 per hour.

€32.00 an hour is still not too bad, right? Absolutely, assuming I’m shooting weddings each weekend or even a minimum of one a week. Like other artists such as musicians who give lessons we need to stretch it out.

When your newborn child is added to the family you will most likely take thousands of pictures on your phone that will often stay on your phone. But how lovely would it be to have a photograph sitting on the mantle or hanging on the wall that isn’t washed out with direct flash, properly color corrected, and has the whole family in it since one of the family members isn’t holding the phone?

One of the things to think about when planning your wedding is what is going to be there 20, 30, or 40 years from now. The flowers that you spend thousands on will have wilted. The cake will have been eaten. And the odds on your daughter wearing that dress at her wedding are pretty slim. What you have left is each other, the wedding rings, and the pictures.

Most artist of any type don’t make a lot of money, and we would respond that we don’t do it for the money. If we lived in a world where money didn’t matter I would probably still be a photographer because it is a wonderful experience to be involved in contributing to people’s positive memories. So please, when it comes to photography, support an artist and hire a professional.

Note: Prices listed are as of the time of the writing of this blog post. Prices might have changed since then.

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Experience

Experience isn’t everything but it is very important. Ask the photographer where they studied. Not all photographers went to school for it, and photography is one of the few professions that doesn’t require professional study. But many have gone to school for photography and it is worth asking where they studied. Also find out who they worked for in the past, did they apprentice with a professional wedding photographer and how many weddings they have shot. People will often buy a fancy camera and manage to snap a few good pictures at a friend’s wedding with it, so they think they are a professional. But there is more to photographing a wedding than just having a camera. This comes through experience in photographing multiple weddings and working with other photographers.

See Some Work

It is easy to fake a few good pictures, and these days a person can even go to a website and screen grab a few images. So how do you see if the photographer is any good? I suggest asking them to view the full set pictures from a wedding. This would be the same gallery of images that they give to a client. If they have actually photographed weddings then they would have a full gallery from a wedding they have done. Don’t ask to see the RAW files. A true photographer won’t show you that, but they should have a client facing proof gallery they can show you.

This is also a good opportunity for you as a client to be made aware of what you are going to get. We see bridal magazines nowadays with a beautiful image on the front and think that every picture from the wedding day should be like that. The reality is far from it. The reality is that this was a single image out of many, most likely processed more than usual and made to look perfect for that cover. It doesn’t accurately represent the full set of images from a day.

Photographic Style

As with everything in life we go through trends and fads. Is the photographer doing the same? I’m not saying trends are bad, but look at the style of photography they use and if it is following a current trend. If it is, is it a trend that you will appreciate twenty years from now? Trends are fun and cool looking but they often don’t stand the test of time.

At D Studios, we aim for a contemporary look with style and generally avoid filters and other Photoshop effects. But that might not be style you want, so make sure the look of the images is what you want and will enjoy later in life.

Most photographers are going to do a combination of “candid” and “formal” pictures. And it’s important to have both. Are the formal shots posed in a way that you will be happy with? Do the candids look natural and memorable? The style of the photographer should match the mood of what you imagine for your wedding memories. When sitting down with our clients we want to identify what you are looking for so that we can incorporate your lifestyle in your wedding day.

Accept the Reality of Photography

What do I mean by this? Let’s say you hire a single photographer instead of a team of two or more. Is that one photographer going to be able to get everything from your wedding day? Possibly not. Maybe they were in the process of moving from one location to another during the ceremony and missed the kiss. Sometimes the bride and groom are nervous and they kiss so quickly it can be easy to miss even with a photographer at the ready. Or maybe the bride and groom were getting ready at two locations and the photographer could only manage to get to one. Maybe your family is wild and crazy during the formal portraits portion of the day and missed that picture of you with your favorite aunt. Not to mention large groups where someone is looking in the wrong direction. This all can happen as a photographer is only human. Don’t get mad about it or ask for money back. Accept that as long as you can tell the photographer worked to the best of his or her ability, and that what they gave you matches within the expectations they set during the initial consultation, the reality is not everything is perfect.

When Will the Pictures Arrive

It will take few weeks before the photographer has your photographs ready for you. Processing that many images from a single day takes a lot of time. And try not to forget you are not the photographer’s only client. So besides processing your pictures, they are also processing others, and still taking pictures for new clients. I know people are often excited to see the pictures after the wedding but would you rather have the photographer rush them to you and give you something that might not be the best? During the consultation, a photographer should go through the time it will take to get you the images. If they don’t, be sure to ask.

Who Are They

A professional photographer needs to know manual camera settings, composition, off camera flash lighting and natural lighting, lenses, and most importantly how to work with people and how to pose people. They need to have the personality that makes them a good photographer. And that comes with experience and time.

A professional photographer is more than having a fancy camera. A fancy camera is just a single tool in an arsenal of tools that they use on a wedding day. The band you hired has good equipment but it’s not that equipment that makes them a great band. It’s practice, knowledge, and experience that make them good at playing their instruments, and at reading the crowd for the right song. The same skills make a good wedding photographer, too.

Personality

The wedding photographer will most likely be around the bride and groom more than almost any other person on the wedding day. It is important that the photographer has a personality that you enjoy being around.

Some photographers are casual and laid back about everything while others are a little more controlling at running the show. The casual laid back photographer is most likely not going to get in the way much, and is going to capture the candid shots that everyone loves. The more controlling photographer is going to be able to get people where they need to be and set up some perfect shots for the fireplace mantle. Most photographers probably fall somewhere in-between the two. It’s all up to the bride and groom to decide who they want to spend the day with, and which pictures are the most important for them.

A photographer is someone that arrives before the wedding begins, spends the day interacting with just about everyone who attends, and will usually stay until the end of the night. It is important that that person be professional, courteous, and blends in properly with the guests. If the photographer is disorganized or has a bad attitude, they should probably be avoided.

Price

It’s important to set a realistic budget for a photographer. Once that budget has been set, make sure to understand what is being provided by the photographer for that price, including the cost of any extras. Examples of extras include: extra time, additional prints or flash drive, albums, and more.

Photographers don’t just charge for a product, they charge for time, and that needs to be taken into consideration. Processing pictures and creating albums are all time put in after the wedding day and we have to take this into consideration when creating our prices. Weddings are enjoyable to shoot but wedding photographers have to earn a living as well. Generally, anyone who is a professional will price accordingly. Someone who is just looking to expand their portfolio or has a full-time job might charge less.

References

Personally, I don’t put much stock into references (although a lot of bridal magazines and sites recommend to get them). The reason for this is they can be faked easily. It’s easy to get a friend to pretend to be a client, answer the phone and talk about how great the photographer is. Instead of references I would recommend checking their online profiles. Check their Facebook page for reviews, yelp, google reviews, and others. These are generally more likely to be actual clients leaving a review. Keep in mind they might be new to the business, so the sampling might be a small number. This is where you will need to go more with your interactions with them and sample work.

You can also ask a friend. I’m sure we all know a few people who are currently married. Ask them who they hired as a photographer and if they liked that person. Referrals are a great source of business for photographers, which is one reason the good photographers are able to stay around so long.

Number of pictures

With digital technology, the number of photographs taken at a wedding are too numerous to use. What is really important is the quality of the photographs received. A photographer can take a thousand images at a wedding, but if only 10 of them are any good, it’s kind of a waste. Yes, ask what you get from them and make sure any images provided are fully processed if being provided digitally. But don’t think that more is better.

To Summarize

With so many wedding photographers to choose from there is no reason to settle on a photographer that isn’t going to be exactly what you want. Sometimes personalities match and sometimes they don’t, there is nothing wrong with acknowledging it.

Take your time and meet different ones if needed. Good photographers don’t really take offense at not being selected to photograph a wedding, in the same way you should be willing to accept that the photographer might not want to work with you. A photographer might ask why you didn’t select them and if so, be honest. We like feedback and it often isn’t in an attempt to resell you, it is to see if there is something we can improve on for the next customer. Or maybe we will agree and say, “yes, that makes sense.”

The post Advice When Having a Consultation with a Wedding Photographer appeared first on D Studios Photography.

Professionalism

The wedding photographer will most likely be around the bride and groom more than any other person on the wedding day. It is important that the photographer has a personality that they enjoy being around.

Some photographers are casual and laid back about everything while some are a little more controlling at running the show. The casual laid back photographer is most likely not going to get in the way much and is going to capture the candid shots that everyone loves. The more controlling photographer is going to be able to get people where they need to be and set up some perfect shots for the fireplace mantle.

Most photographers probably fall somewhere in-between the two. There are also other personality types such as the overly friendly person vs. the quiet person. No one personality is better than another: it’s all up to the bride and groom to decide who they want to spend the day with. Also some studios will hire other photographers to work for them. When having the consultation with the studio, identify if that person will be photographing the wedding or someone else, and ask to meet the person who will be there on the wedding day.

Albums

If buying the optional book or album, check the quality ahead of time. Will people be able to flip through it years later? Will it hold together? Does the photographer do a good job of using the album to tell a story of the wedding day? These are all things one should consider before making a purchase.

If photographic prints are provided, what type of paper and inks are used? Does the photographer do the prints or do they send them to a quality lab? If a disk or flash drive is provided, what is on the disk or flash drive? For example, do they provide high-resolution JPG files that the clients can use to make prints later? Or are they low resolution, which will only work on websites but won’t create a quality print?

There is nothing wrong with the photographer limiting what is in the initial package and charging more for extras like a full resolution disk or additional prints. Just make sure to ask questions, understand the order, and that everything is documented in the contract.

Sample Work

Photographers are only going to show people their best work. Since most photographers do online galleries, ask to get a link to a couple of other client galleries. Look through and see what the overall portfolio looks like. This has an additional benefit of setting your expectations as well. Realistically, not all photographs taken will look like they belong on the cover of a bride magazine.

Style

Most photographers to do a combination of “candid” and “formal” pictures. Are the formal shots posed in a way that you will be happy with? Do the candids look natural and memorable? The style of the photographer should match the mood of what you imagine for your wedding memories.

Thanks to Photoshop and ever-changing technology, will the pictures be cool-looking now, but dated later? Think glam shots from the 80’s. Or perhaps the current trend of over-sharpening peoples eyes.

Price

It’s important to set a realistic budget for a photographer. Once that budget has been set, make sure to understand what is being provided by the photographer for that price, including the cost of any extras. Examples of extras include: extra time, additional prints or disks/flash drive, albums, and more.

Photographers don’t just charge for a product, they charge for time, and that needs to be taken into consideration by you when hiring a professional. Processing pictures and creating albums are all time put in after the wedding day.

References

Popular wedding sites will often tell people to get references but, for the most part, I don’t see the value in them. Photographers aren’t going to provide a reference to someone who is dissatisfied with their service. There is no way to verify who the person providing the reference is and how true it is, so why bother wasting time?

Number of pictures

With digital technology the number of photographs taken at a wedding are too numerous to use. What is really important is the quality of the photographs received. A photographer can take a thousand images at a wedding, but if only 10 of them are any good, it’s kind of a waste.

No Experience

Try to avoid finding someone who just bought a digital camera and is looking to make a little money on the side. Yes, this will cut down on the overall budget of the wedding, but the quality of the product and quality of the service will most likely reflect as such. Everyone has to start somewhere and gain experience. But for photographers, this can be done via classes and as an assistant for other photographers. It doesn’t have to be at your wedding. There is a lot of stress on a wedding day for everyone involved, and it is important to have someone taking the pictures who has worked with other photographers and knows how to deal with situations as they arise. By having an experienced photographer, there is one less thing for the bride and groom to worry about.

Now, having said that, a person doesn’t get good without practice, so if you decide to take a shot with a new photographer looking to get some work for their profile, just be sure to pay them appropriately, which in some cases might not be at all. However, also be aware of what you might get in return. So, if they are not the most beautiful wedding pictures ever, you got what you paid for.

To Summarize

There is a reason a professional photographer’s album looks better than one an average person might create using an at-home template. There is also a reason a professional’s picture looks better than an amateur with a newly purchased digital camera. Even so, it is important to balance quality with the cost of service because, at the end of the day, the cake will be eaten, the flowers will rot, and the memories will fade, but the photographs will last a lifetime.

With so many wedding photographers to choose from, there is no reason to settle on a photographer that isn’t going to be exactly what is wanted. Sometimes personalities match, and sometimes they don’t: there is nothing wrong with acknowledging it. A photographer shouldn’t take it offensively if a client chooses not to book them. But they might ask why. If they do, be honest and be polite. If they are any good, they will take that feedback and use it as an opportunity for improvement.

The post What Are Some Tips For Choosing a Wedding Photographer? appeared first on D Studios Photography.

For this photography session I went and met the couple and we hit it off right away. They were really lovely to talk to as we walked round this park along with their dog. I of course tried to get a few pictures with the dog as well but he was having to much fun running around, so mostly just some lovely engagement pictures with two great people.

Wishing you Many Years Together,

D Studios!

The post Fusion Engagement Video appeared first on D Studios Photography.

Style

For us here at D Studios, we tend to lean towards the laid back style of photography. If you have been in for one of our portrait sessions you probably noticed this. I am generally a pretty relaxed person and I find it makes those around me relaxed as well. So when it comes to working with my clients on a wedding day, I feel that relaxed is the way to go over pushing and controlling wedding photography.

Professionalism

A photographer is someone that arrives before the wedding begins, spends the day interacting with just about everyone who attends, and will usually stay until the end of the night. It is important that that person be professional, courteous, and blends in properly with the guests. If the photographer is disorganized or has a bad attitude, they should probably be avoided.

The Look

Any good photographer is going to do a combination of “candid” and “formal” pictures. And it’s important to have both. The reason for this is we love to look through those candid moments from a wedding in our albums, but often it is the formal ones that end up on the mantle. Not to mention parents and grandparents might want a more formal picture for their collection from your wedding.

The P Word

Thanks to Photoshop and ever-changing technology, will the pictures be cool-looking now, but dated later? Think glam shots from the 80’s. We are more traditional in our style here at D Studios, in fact I say “the P word” as if it is a bad thing because I feel that natural photography has a timeless look to it. When a photograph is overly digitally manipulated it no longer looks real and loses some of its heart. Yes, we color correct, adjust balance, clean up blemishes, but beyond that, fads come and go, timeless stays timeless for a reason.

In Summary

The wedding photographer will most likely be around the bride and groom more than any other person on the wedding day. Some photographers are casual and laid back about everything while some are a little more controlling at running the show. The casual laid back photographer is most likely not going to get in the way much, and is going to capture the candid shots that everyone loves. The more controlling photographer is going to be able to get people where they need to be and set up some perfect shots for the fireplace mantle.

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The first look has to be one of my favourite moments when photographing a wedding. For those that don’t know, the “first look” or “reveal” happens before the actual ceremony, usually with just the photographer and the bride and groom. The photographer will usually stand the groom or bride in a way that allows the other to come up from another direction, resulting in this being the first time they see each other before the wedding. It is one of the rare moments at the wedding where we can enjoy a natural, intimate moment without a crowd of people around. The bride and groom get a bit of time together and some lovely photographs to start the day off. This is something a little less traditional and a little more unique that a wedding photographer can offer.

Advantage

For me as a photographer the biggest advantage to the first look photography session is the beautiful natural pictures you get. Photographers are not fans of the forced posing and fake smiles that most brides and grooms are not fans of either. While doing a first look we are not posing; we are not trying to get something specific, we are literally capturing the moment as it unfolds. Yes, once we get past that initial moment we might move into the portraits of just the bride and groom, but they are still much more relaxed and less hurried than ones that happen after the ceremony. We don’t have to worry about other family members also vying for the couple’s attention with phones in hands.

Tradition

Often when I bring this up to clients they are hesitant as it is so engrained into our psyche for the groom not to see the bride before the ceremony. But tradition also involved the Wedding March song and churches at one point. Tradition also involved not living together and vows to obey. The tradition of not seeing the bride actually started as a way to prevent the groom from seeing the bride before the wedding in arranged marriages.

Schedule

A wedding is almost always running late and rushed. The ceremony often goes long and the guests are looking forward to the reception. But all of that has to wait until the pictures are done. Most of the designed pictures that have to be done usually happen after the ceremony but before the reception. By having a first look before the ceremony it reduces some of the pictures that need to be done after the ceremony saving on time.

You Look your Best

Another advantage of the first look is that everyone is fresh and made-up properly. Makeup has just been applied, clothing is clean, and the sweat from the days stress hasn’t started. As the day goes on and the stress levels rise, as things start to happen and people move around, the new hair starts to fall and clothing gets messy. Yet before the ceremony none of this has happened yet so when the photographer is taking your picture it is done as you are looking your best.

In Summary

When I am meeting with a client they will often ask for something unique for photography and this is one of those moments a photographer can offer that will provide some unique images. Of course, it is your wedding and your own unique day, and if you have decided on not seeing each other until the ceremony, be assured that I will come up with some great images as well! However I am always thrilled when I do find a couple that is up for first look photography – witnessing such a pure beautiful moment is truly special for me as well, and there is no better time for capturing your radiant smiles when you see your lovely bride or handsome groom.

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