Snap Happy
In our ongoing efforts to get as much done before the summer kicks off proper, Mrs. Pete-to-be has been sauntering around local wedding fairs, where people have been trying to persuade her to spend money we don’t have on stuff we don’t need.
But they have provided one thing we do need – a photographer. Now, anyone who’s been to a wedding fair (I’ve avoided this so far!) will probably know they are full of dubious-looking middle-aged men posing in front of large displays of improbably-beautiful looking couples, in improbably-beautiful looking surroundings, looking like something out of bloody Narnia.
Now, while Mrs. Pete-to-be doesn’t mind being harassed by dubious-looking middle-aged men, she draws the line at having one of them taking pictures of her getting dressed – something which is a part of most wedding albums these days, apparently.
So, avoiding the pushy sweaty gnome-types, Mrs Pete-to-be gravitated towards a quiet-looking lady minding her own business in the corner. She turned out to be a local Surrey lady called Amanda Duncan, who not only seems very nice and down to earth, but is also very tall, which I’m sure will help with the group shots. Possibly half-centaur?
Now, while I’m not expecting any of “erotic” shots, I think it is fairly important the bride is comfortable with the photographer if they are going to do the whole ‘getting ready’ thing – not least as this person is going to be with us for most of the rest of the day too.
Decent (professional) wedding photographers all seem to charge about the same these days; expect to pay about £1K in the South-East for their basic services on the day, plus extra for albums etc. So, it’s best to pick someone you are comfortable with, and who has a style that you think you will suit your wedding. Our photographer seems very good at those relaxed shots of people having fun, which is what I hope our wedding will be all about.
Oh, and be sure to find out who owns the rights to the snaps afterwards – our photographer gives us all of them on a disc to do as we see fit, but many of them only allow prints from their own websites, at a cost. I’d much rather send Great-Aunt-Mabel-who-can’t-make-it-due-to-cat-AIDS a nice set of the best pics, rather than a link to an overpriced printing service.
Righto, have fun – I’m off to Glastonbury :o)
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Sorry about your Great Aunt Mabel. If I’d have known, I wouldn’t have made all those pussy jokes. To her.
“bloody narnia” – love it.
Not sure about the advice here. Sure, it’s a good idea to go with a photographer you like, but there is actually a huge range in prices from £300 to £3-4000 (or much more) as well as many different styles of photography. Also, bear in mind that many of the better photographers don’t actually go to wedding fayres any more, you’ll probably find better quality/value on the internet and many photographers have a blog now where you can see plenty of their real wedding photographs, from real recent weddings, rather than a small portfolio of model shots.
Finally, you really should think about the sort of photography you want, for example, do you want lots of posed group shots and portraits, or would you prefer more candid photojournalism style shots. Most people much prefer the latter when they realise the alternative is standing in a line for 2 hours with a fixed expression.
While it’s fine to find a photographer on the Interwebs, you won’t get to meet them (until you’ve paid them), which means you won’t know whether you’re comfortable with them or their style.
The majority of photographers are pretty versatile these days, and will take a range of shots, including both the obligatory “posed” shots along with a range of portraits and action shots. I think it’s fairly important to get a good mix of these to choose from, to avoid your wedding looking like a fashion parade, or a riot.
Sorry Pete, would have to slightly disagree with you there on your opening statement.
While you should be checking your photographer via the web it would be insane to blindly book them without meeting them first. After all, this is the person who has to sum up both you and your partner’s personalities, be a conscientious and professional member of your wedding team (as he/she will be there all day) and more importantly you have to get on with this person. I repeat, you must be able to get on with your photographer. If you have a rapport with your photographer then you will feel more relaxed on what is a massive day, and by being more relaxed you will be able to offer up the real you in the photos, not a posed “caught in car headlights” person that will forever hate how they look in their wedding pics. Ok, not hate, maybe too far, but you get my drift.
If any wedding photographer refuses to meet you, at a time convenient for you, in your home, then that’s the first sign they’re not the photographer for you. I meet all couples that book me, without exception, in fact I almost insist on it. There is no business that is more of a people business than wedding photography in my opinion. A professional photographer should also be a professional people person – without any doubt.
Ok, rant over – thanks for staying with me there ;-)
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