choosing your photographer: You've dreamed of it for years, you've planned it for months and then your wedding day arrives and flies by in a blur! That's why it is so important for you to have great professional wedding pictures. Locating and hiring a good photographer to capture your special day will require some work on your part but with these tips you can have beautiful pictures that capture your wedding day in all its glory. read more choosing your videographer: Since the quality of recorders and video equipment has improved dramatically in recent years, it should come as no surprise that video taping is becoming as traditional as photography. Video taping the wedding helps to preserve a very precious memory that the bride and groom can review- enjoy- and share with family and friends for many years to come. read more photo tips for wedding guests: While most couples hire a professional photographer to photograph the ceremony and reception, there's still plenty of room for you to also capture your perspective of this joyous occasion on film. There are lots of moments that happen among the guests that will never be captured by the professional wedding photographer. read more
choosing a photographer
You've dreamed of it for years, you've planned it for months and then your wedding day arrives and flies by in a blur! That's why it is so important for you to have great professional wedding pictures. Locating and hiring a good photographer to capture your special day will require some work on your part but with these tips you can have beautiful pictures that capture your wedding day in all its glory. The first thing to do is call and arrange an appointment to meet with the photographer and to see samples of their work. Some studios employ several photographers and it's important to meet the actual photographer and see his/her work before signing any contracts or agreements. The next step is to visit at least 3 studios and compare quality. Photographer's styles can range from traditional color- more posed images, to the newest trend, Black and White Photojournalistic looking images. Be sure to ask about number of hours included in the price, if there is an extra charge for the album itself and overtime charges. Get all the information in writing including the time the photographer is to arrive and the time they are to leave. Don't assume they will stay to the end as you hop in your limo, the photographer could have left hours earlier! You want to find someone that you feel comfortable with. Personality plays a major part of how well the photographs will turn out. Remember you will be spending a large amount of time with this person and the last thing you want is someone who is unpleasant. Also ask about reorder prices. That is what extra portraits will cost should you decide to add more portraits to your album, or want or need extra prints for your family and friends. One of the latest conveniences is on-line session proofing. Some photographers are now offering to put the Bride and Grooms wedding images on a web site, which will allow your family and friends all over the world to view the wedding images and purchase prints directly from the web site! You should plan on spending about 20% of your wedding budget on the photography. After all, it is all that will be left after your wedding day is over. You and your spouses' wedding album will become an heirloom and something that you will want to pass down to your children and their children's children. Be very careful... horror stories have happened when couples let a relative or a friend photograph their wedding, or have chosen the cheapest photographer. It takes a trained professional to juggle all the elements of a wedding day. You will never regret hiring a professional, just follow the above steps and you should wind up with a beautiful wedding album, featuring all the love, beauty and romance of your special day. back to top
choosing a videographer
Since the quality of recorders and video equipment has improved dramatically in recent years, it should come as no surprise that video taping is becoming as traditional as photography. Video taping the wedding helps to preserve a very precious memory that the bride and groom can review- enjoy- and share with family and friends for many years to come. Sifting through the Chafe: Quality is what matters.... Price is secondary Find a good videographer, then pick the package you can afford. Ask to see a sample tape and ask what type of cameras are being used. Things to look for: Professional video equipment. Smooth and steady camera work. Spontaneous and natural shots. Seamless editing techniques. Good coverage of the ceremony. All the important parts included. Clean titles not too many flashy graphics. Good color and a sharp picture. Good Audio. Professional video equipment. Good color and a sharp picture. Consumer level cameras available at the local department store can't produce the quality needed to video-tape, edit, and make copies. Above this level are many variations. Some 'so-called' professional videographers use a standard video format (VHS or 8mm) and provide the original to the bride and groom. Copies made from this tape will be of sub-standard quality. A true professional uses a hi quality format. (SVHS, Hi8, BetaSP, DV, etc.) Copies made from this type or tape will be better quality and every copy will be the same. Smooth and steady camera work. Spontaneous and natural shots. No matter how good his cameras are, a videographer must have good camera skills. If you get sea-sick watching the demo, it's time to move on. Look for those special shots that 'make' the moment. Coverage: You'll have to do your homework. Many videographers have different packages based on what you want included in the video. Remember, the more he tapes, the more he has to edit onto the master copy. Extras may cost you so ask up-front. Clean titles not too many flashy graphics: Flashy graphics may be great for MTV, but you want the focus to be on you. If you notice the effect, it takes the attention off of you! Good Audio: Most 'on-camera' mics are not enough to capture good audio. Wireless mics and wired hand held mics are the best way to achieve good sound. TYPES OF WEDDING VIDEOS: There are various types and qualities of wedding videos, along with a wide range of prices. Personal preference and budget will determine the best type of video to use. Rules and regulations concerning videotaping vary according to the ceremony site used and may affect the way your video will come out. The following list describes three popular types of wedding videos: Straight-shot Footage. The Videographer only uses one camera, starting at the beginning of the ceremony and capturing highlights the reception using only in-camera editing. Since there is no post-editing, and only one camera, it is the least expensive option. With in-camera Titling, He can add a special touch by putting the couple's names and wedding date at the beginning of the tape. This format has the quickest delivery time. He can also add music, usually for an additional charge. Nostalgic Format: This type of video can be as long and as nostalgic as the couple wants to make it. The Videographer usually starts by showing photographs of the couple as children; then progresses to photos of romantic; fun times they have shared together; followed by scenes from the ceremony and reception; sometimes ending with shots from the honeymoon (This may delay delivery of the final tape.) For photo sequences, music is copied to the master tape then still photos are dubbed in at appropriate points creating just the right mood. The other events surrounding the wedding are then added to the master tape. This format needs to be post-edited and requires more editing time. Therefore, it costs more. Wedding Documentary Format: This type of video documents the day. The segments of the day's events tell a story similar to the way the events occurred. It usually starts with shots of the bride and groom getting ready, then progresses through the ceremony and reception, capturing spontaneous moments and interviews with family and friends, then ends as the bride and groom leave the reception. This video format is the most popular, most commonly used, and is the best value. Many videographers use two to three cameras to obtain better quality. Then post-edit adding titling and music to create a smooth visual effect. back to top
photo tips for wedding guests
While most couples hire a professional photographer to photograph the ceremony and reception, there's still plenty of room for you to also capture your perspective of this joyous occasion on film. There are lots of moments that happen among the guests that will never be captured by the professional wedding photographer. Stay out of the pro's way. He or she has a big job to do. And, never shoot over the pro's shoulder. That won't be appreciated and could interfere with the job. Instead, concentrate on recording the fun that you and your family and friends have at the wedding. Not only will you have a record of the wedding for your own pleasure, but imagine the joy of the happy couple to receive prints of events that the professional photographer did not see or wasn't asked to cover. For instance, many wedding photographers no longer shoot those "table shots" of the guests because these photos don't usually get purchased by the bride and groom. This is the perfect opportunity for you. But shoot these like a pro: Have some of the people at your table stand up and move behind those still seated and take a group shot. Avoid showing the entire table complete with half-eaten food, instead concentrate on the faces of the guests. Another photo opportunity exists at your table. Many bridal receptions now include disposable "single use" cameras at every table. You may need to get the show rolling and coax your table mates to start taking pictures. Remember,the bride and groom can't be at every table to take part in the festivities so candid photos from these cameras can show the guests having fun in a way that professional photographers aren't likely to capture. A couple of hints on wedding photography etiquette. If you want to take photos at a church, synagogue, mosque or chapel, take your cues from the professional photographer hired by the bridal couple. If you see that he or she is not taking photos at the ceremony, chances are it is because the clergy told the photographer not to do so. Respect the tradition and don't take pictures. The same thing holds true for flash photography. Some places of worship will allow it at the ceremony, others will not. If you see that the pro is shooting, then take an aisle seat. It's the best place to get nice close shots of the couple that fill the frame as they leave the church. One other suggestion on wedding photography is to be respectful of the professional photographer. Don't get in that individual's way. You don't want to ruin the photos that the bride and groom are paying the pro to take, and the pro can do a better job of capturing many parts of the event than you can. As we've indicated, there are plenty of different kinds of shots for you too. back to top

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