Prints Charming
Build a relationship with your photographer

You have the ring. The reception site is booked, and you're shopping for the perfect gown. Now is the ideal time to start working on your relationship. With your photographer, that is.

The eyes and ears of your day, your photographer will be responsible for capturing the experience for you to treasure for years, even generations, to come.
"When I first meet with a couple, I like to find out about their wedding details but also how they met, where they live or plan to live and a little more about their interests," reflects Philip Ramackers of Studio Z. "This gives me an idea of their individual personalities, which will have a lot to do with how I photograph them."

Getting to know your photography team on a personal level, and sharing your personalities as well as your goals for the photography are absolutely essential prior to your wedding day. Do you desire a coffee table book of traditional portraits, are candid party shots important to you? It's vital to know your style and convey your feelings to your chosen professional ahead of time.

"The more we communicate the better," says Patrick Grimes. "Every time we email, talk on the phone or meet in person, we are building a very important relationship." Chances are, the bride will spend as much time with the photographer as the groom on her wedding day.

One way to develop that bond with your wedding photographer is through an engagement photo session. These sessions yield great pictures of you and your sweetie, of course, but they have the added value of cementing your relationship with your photographer. Some couples choose to highlight a favorite hobby, such as horseback riding or golf during these sessions, offering a window into their personalities.

"I include a complimentary engagement sitting in all my packages mostly so I can get to know the couple better before the wedding day," says Ted Hewitt.

"It's a relaxed, let-your-hair-down kind of experience that builds trust between each other," reflects Georgina Anderson of Something Blue Photography. "There's no doubt in my mind that they lead to better photos on the wedding day," says Chris Richards.

And once you get to the wedding day, it's important to have a schedule as well as a list of "shots" you have your heart set on. This includes the friends and relatives you'd like included in your wedding photography. Enlisting help for those group shots you will want in your album in a good idea.

Your wedding coordinator and photographer can help quite a bit in establishing a schedule that takes into account your photography goals and your desire to have fun on your wedding day. Knowing who needs to be ready for their pictures at what time will keep your day running smoothly.

"I love doing the formal/group photos before the ceremony," says Ted Hewitt. "The time of day has a lot to do with whether that is feasible or not. I would encourage couples to consult with their photographer before setting a ceremony time so the best light can be used."

A schedule will ensure that there is adequate time to get images of all the friends and relatives who've come to celebrate with you, but don't forget to schedule some time for the two of you as a couple. Many couples have remarked that their wedding day was a blur, and that they spent little time together.Newlyweds will treasure a few minutes of alone time to reflect on their commitment and the excitement of this big day.

Most wedding professionals will agree--if you don't schedule it, it won't happen. One of our photographer friends likens a wedding to a train, once it gets going, it's hard to stop and back it up.

Many couples slip out between the ceremony and the reception, when the guests are enjoying libations, to have some photographs taken together and maybe steal a kiss. Others opt to share a few quiet moments together before the ceremony.

You'll want to have a discussion about whether or not you want to see your intended prior to the ceremony. Some traditions deem it "bad luck" to see each other prior to the wedding, but change may be afoot on this very personal issue. More and more couples are choosing to take a little "together time" prior to their exchange of vows and their photographers are more than happy to be a part of those heartwarming moments.

Says Chris Richards, "When couples do want to meet ahead of time, we arrange a beautiful quiet moment for them and capture it from a discreet distance. It's very romantic, makes for great images and diffuses some of the pre-event butterflies."

Ramackers concurs: "The benefit for the bride and groom...is two-fold. It can really be a special moment in the busy day and once the ceremony is done, there is more time for the bride and groom and bridal party to mingle with the guests before the reception.

Being alone together can certainly be more intimate than seeing each other for the first time in front of all your guests, but some couples want to adhere to tradition. "Not everyone wants to see each other before the wedding and we absolutely respect that," says Richards.

Whatever your choice on that matter, take the time to write down what you expect from your photographer. A contract helps ensure the couple gets the most out of their time and budgetary resources.
It's nearly impossible to compare photographer packages from a financial perspective, as their products and areas of expertise vary so widely. Much of the decision comes down to experience and that all-important relationship. The pros encourage couples to hire their photographer based on personality and experience rather than on cost.

"Ask any former bride what they would do differently and the answer most likely will be--I wish I had paid for an experienced photographer," reflects Anderson of Something Blue. "Full time professional wedding photographers have experience and are trained in tough lighting situations, time restrictions, back up equipment, uncooperative relatives/wedding party and have training in posing and technical skills."
Grimes offers this advice: "First of all, ensure that the photographer you choose is insured and belongs to professional organizations--that speaks to the legitimacy of his or her business. [Also] a wedding photographer must excel in different styles of work, from portraiture to photojournalism."

"If ever there were a day to trust your photography to a professional, this is it," says Richards. "The biggest celebration you're ever likely to throw, with the most friends and family members together in one place. It's so much more than just an exchange of vows; it's a chapter in the story of your lives. A great professional will capture it all, even the things you never saw or expected."

You can always go back and purchase additional photographs or albums after your wedding, but you can't return to that day and choose a different photographer. If the photographs you want aren't there, you can't purchase them.

And this takes us back to the relationship. Chris Richards sums it up: "The most important question [a couple] can ask is, 'do I think this photographer is a good match for us in terms of style and personality?' You're going to hang out with your photographer all day--you should enjoy their company!"

Photography:
Something Blue Wedding Photography

Chris Richards Photography

Ted Hewitt Photography