Tips To A Good Photo Shoot
by Steve Spangler - All About Weddings

When you choose your wedding photographer, you're not just buying a service, you're investing in memories. That's why you should consider carefully the options available and seek a talented photographer whose style fits your personal vision of your wedding day. Ask yourself...

• Who will shoot your wedding?
• the photographer your interviewed or his partner?
• Will the photographer stay until your event is over?
• Does the photographer do more than 1 wedding a day?
• Will he/she be unobtrusive during the ceremony?
• Is your photographer charging you by the hour?
• Will they leave because your "time" is up?

Your wedding photographer may be an expert, but if you don't feel comfortable or at ease with him or her, your wedding photography will reflect this. Comfort and compatibility with your photographer can make or break your wedding day and your photographs.

When comparing prices, consider the number, size and finish of the photographs and the type of album the photographer will use:

• Ask how many proofs you will get to choose your photos from. The more proofs, the better the selection you will have.
• Ask photographer if you are going to get to keep your proofs, if they will be written on or whether they will be usable; for example to make a parent album.
• Some photographers do not work with proofs. Rather, they simply supply you with a finished album after the wedding. Doing this may reduce the cost of your album but will also reduce your selection of photographs.

Have a Representative designated to help the photographer for the formal pictures and also for the candid shots at the reception - be sure it is someone who knows the guests and has a list of those to be included in the pictures:

• Have your chosen Representative arrive at the event at the same time as the photographer so they can help right away.
• Introduce the Representative to the photographer when he arrives at the event; don't expect him to know whom you've chosen.
• The Photographer shouldn't have to look for your Representative; they should stick close by during the organized photo sessions and look for the opportunity to get all the photo sessions done.

Look at his/her work:

• See if the photographer captured the excitement and emotion of the bridal couple.
• The wedding album should unfold like a storybook -- the story of your wedding.
• Be sure to discuss with your photographer the type of wedding photography you want so that there is no misunderstanding.
• A good wedding photographer should have a list of suggested poses to choose from.

* Don't assume the photographer knows all the shots you want included.
* Your Representative should have a copy of the list of the agreed on photos, so you are assured that all the people and activities you choose to have photographed are done when the event is over.

Advise family and friends that the Photographer should be able to take his photo first so his shot is not spoiled by an unwanted flash or movement:

• Have your Representative stay close to the photographer to assist with crowd control. The "masses" feel that the photographer has all the best set-ups so they want to take the same pictures he/she is taking and often there is a problem with the guests getting in the way of the photographer.

If you are not of the old fashioned school it is a good idea to have most of formal pictures done ahead of time; you can make some time then to be alone to share how your feelings, often times this can make you feel a little less nervous, it allows you to do your most treasured pictures with less of a crowd, without feeling so rushed and in the end is much easier on the bride and groom. You can get to the reception in a timelier manner also:

• Schedule family members (aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, grandparents, etc) 20- 30 minutes after your "couple" formal photos (which should be first) then they will be free to go the church or wedding site.
• Advise family members ahead of time that they will be in some of the photos and to assemble quickly when it is their turn.
• When scheduling time, leave some extra time for people to be late * 10-20 minute intervals usually works well, depending on number of people in the photo, more people takes longer for everyone to arrive and get in place
• Small children should be scheduled early while they and their parents are still fresh.

All these time saving measures allows you to be fresher and enjoy your party more; keep the flow going with the end result being that you and your new spouse will be able to spend more time at your party with your guests. Quick cooperation will get you free sooner. The photographer's intent is NOT to delay you but to just get all the pictures you requested and paid for.

If you choose to do your formal pictures after the ceremony, have the wedding party and those you have chosen to be in your formal pictures go to a designated area right away, staying away from the wedding guests, instruct them to wait there for the photographer. Otherwise a "crowd" begins to form and you can have a very difficult time getting everyone's pictures done. Your Representative's assistance is a very important key to the successful completion of this type of photo session.

Advise family members ahead of time that they will be in some of the photos and to assemble quickly when it is their turn. The suggested order for these should be:

• Grandparents and Parents with the couple first, so they are free to go to the reception to greet the guests
• Special request guests or family members with children
• Other personal family members with the couple
• Full wedding party
• Groom with Groomsmen, Ring Bearer
• Groom with Best Man
• Bride with Bridesmaids, Flower Girl or Jr. bridesmaids
• Bride with Flower Girls or Jr. Bridesmaids
• Bride with Maid or Matron of Honor
• Couple with Best Man and Maid or Matron of Honor
• Couple
• Bride

The Representative is very important here, she/he can gather the people you want in the photo while the photographer prepares for the shot and doesn't have to use his/her time looking for the people to be in the picture, this allows the photo session to go uninterrupted and much quicker.

Give photographer an agenda, timeline or plan for your day:

• When, where and the order of events.
• An approximate time schedule is also very helpful.

Be sure you understand what is included in your photo album, any extra or hidden charges that will be due when you go to pick up your finished album:

• Do you have to pay for all costs prior to the ceremony?
• Get prices for enlargements.
• Any special deals or packages available?
• Conditions for cancellations

All in all you should be able to follow your photos as you would a narrative, taking in all the nuances you likely missed in the blur of activity, the little events and details; to relive your special day - moment by moment this very emotional and important, once in a lifetime event in your life.

Steve Spangler - All About Weddings