Getting the Most Out of Your Photographer
by Sentiment Photography and Imaging

You've read the articles, done the interviews, and have finally found the perfect photographer for your wedding, but there is more to getting the perfect photographs than signing a contract.

Here are a few tips to ensure you get the photographs you want on your special day:

1. Let the photographer know ahead of time all of the locations that you would like to have photos taken. This, of course, includes the ceremony and reception locations, but many couples also choose to have photos taken at various parks, beaches, and other locales. Notifying your photographer of your plans ahead of time allows him/her to be prepared for the weather and lighting conditions.

2. If there are any unique moments in your ceremony or reception, let the photographer know. Photographers love to take photos of little added twists that make set your day apart from other weddings. Giving them a "heads up" on what's going on will allow them to take full advantage of the photo opportunity.

3. Give the photographer a schedule of events before the wedding day. This ties in to the first two tips because preparing the photographer for what is to come allows them to be capture the moments that are most important to you.

4. Prepare a list of formal photographs that you would like taken. The wedding day is undoubtedly chaotic and trying to group everyone together for formal photographs can be very difficult if you're not prepared. Distribute your list not only to the photographer, but to the important members of your family and wedding party so that everyone is in the right place at the right time for picture-taking. Many weddings are on a tight schedule and making this process more efficient will prevent you from missing out on that extra photo session at the beach or your special entrance to the reception.

5. Give the photographer a list and, if possible, snapshots of the important people to photograph. As you've probably already discovered, photojournalist wedding photography is very popular. Providing a list of your loved ones to your photographer ensures that candids are taken primarily of them and not your mother-in-law's coworker's daughter whom you've never met.

6. The most important element in getting great pictures is to relax! No wedding day is perfect, at least not in my experience. Things are bound to go wrong and the key is to not let these things spoil the entire day. Stress definitely shows up in photographs. Relax and enjoy your day, and it will show.

Planning a wedding is a lot of work and this list may have added to the load, but if you find that you're running out of time to accomplish everything remember that your friends and family are there to help you, so delegate.

Good luck and have fun!!