FAQs AND TIPS ON GETTING THE MOST
FROM YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
by David Smith, Interface Photography

When should we look for and book our photographer?
You should book your photographer 6-12 months in advance or as soon as your wedding date has been selected and your ceremony and reception site are contracted. The good photographers get booked for popular dates well in advance. If a preferred photographer is already booked, ask for referrals - many good photographers are associated with others and will be glad to recommend others.

Why shouldn't we have a friend or relative do it instead of a pro?
Wedding photography is both an art and a science, requiring someone with the proper equipment and the right skills, plus the demeanor to be effective and creative under pressure. It is almost impossible to be a guest and at the same time, concentrate on the technical details of photographing an entire day. Trust your once-in-a-lifetime wedding to a "pro-for-a-day" and you will have bad feelings for a lifetime. Asking a guest to do the official photographs is no different from asking dinner guests to work for their meal. The biggest equipment failing of amateur photography in lieu of pro (for weddings) is inadequacy of flash power. Compared to at-home shots, the flash must cover a greater distance in rooms with higher ceilings for a longer day with slower film. Wedding pro flashes have 5-6 times the power for three times as long as even higher end amateur flashes. Don't discourage your guests from bringing cameras, but DO suggest that they enjoy themselves as guests and they should not interfere with your hired pro.

What services and products should we get?
The possible situations for photography are:

1. Informal environmental pictures, with B/W glossies for engagement announcement; plus small framed prints for placement on desktops, gifts for the families, wall-size display, or creation of a sign-in card for display at the wedding reception

2. Formal bridal portrait in gown, taken in advance - for newspaper, etc.

3. Wedding couple's portrait session in advance

4. Rehearsal dinner

5. Getting ready at home. Bride with her parents, maid of honour, pets

6. Pre-ceremony preparations at ceremony site

7. Pre-ceremony portraits on wedding day or different day

8. Ceremony with processional

9. Formal groupings after the ceremony

10. Reception activities, plus informal groupings of families and guests

11. Photographs of members of the wedding party with their significant others, presented to them in folios as a wedding favor.

12. The bride and groom leaving the reception, leaving for honeymoon.

Our photographer wants to limit what guests will take with their cameras. Why should that make a difference to him?
Most photographers will have no objection to and feel no threat from guests with their cameras. In fact, if not occupied at the moment, some photographers may offer to take group shots with the guests' cameras. There are certain times, like the 15-minute post-ceremony formal session, where the pro photographer will need the attention of the subjects. There are some critical times, like during formal portrait sessions, where guests cameras distract the subjects, casing them to look in divergent directions. The guest's flash may also cause eyes to be closed for the pro's shot (which you are paying for). Also, some churches prohibit flash during the ceremony. Guests' flashes in this time are not only distracting they also spoil the wonderful existing-light shots your photographer may be striving for. If guests behave with consideration and manners when using their cameras, there will be no problem.

Why shouldn't we have a friend or relative do it instead of a pro?
Wedding photography is both an art and a science, requiring someone with the proper equipment and the right skills, plus the demeanor to be effective and creative under pressure. It is almost impossible to be a guest and at the same time, concentrate on the technical details of photographing an entire day. Trust your once-in-a-lifetime wedding to a "pro-for-a-day" and you will have bad feelings for a lifetime. I feel that asking a guest to do the official photographs and no different from asking dinner guests to work for their meal. The biggest equipment failing of amateur photography in lieu of pro (for weddings) is inadequacy of flash power. Compared to at-home shots, the flash must cover a greater distance in rooms with higher ceilings for a longer day with slower film. Wedding pro flashes have 5-6 times the power for three times as long as even higher end amateur flashes. Don't discourage your guests from bringing cameras, but DO suggest that they enjoy themselves as guests and they should not interfere with your hired pro.

How can we get the most from our photography investment?

• Establish a win-win relationship with your photographer.
  
  
• List the essential and important people to be photographed.
  
  
• Be on time for your portrait sessions.
  
  
• Insist that your wedding party and family members be on-time.
  
  
• Tell them how important your pictures are and that you consider cooperation a personal favor to you.
  
  
• Ask your guests (or have the best man do it) not to interfere with the pro when he's doing group shots and formals.
  
  
• Most importantly, ask your photographer, "What can we do in terms of cooperation to help YOU do the best job for US?"