Wedding Photography - How To Choose Your Wedding Photographer

Hiring a wedding photographer may seem like a simple task, but choosing someone to capture all the moments and details of that special day can be much more difficult than most couples realize. The professional you select will create a photographic record that will be treasured by your family for generations, and making this decision is a critical step in the wedding-planning process. In some instances, hiring the wrong person might not only result in poor wedding photos, but could also have a negative effect on your entire wedding day (for example, imagine a sloppy-looking photographer running around, blocking the guests' view and constantly distracting you from enjoying your day).

One of the most common and unfortunate mistakes couples make is hiring a family friend or an enthusiastic relative to photograph the day. Some may even ask guests to take as many photos as possible with the hope of piecing together an album composed of candid shots, most of which are unusable. Keep in mind that even with the proper equipment, photographing a wedding properly is a daunting task requiring significant experience, the finesse' to be virtually invisible, and most importantly the talent and artistic vision to capture the memorable details and emotions of your wedding day. It is certainly not a job for the faint of heart.

How, then, does one choose an accomplished, professional wedding photographer? The key items to consider are your personal preferences in photography, your budget for the event, and the professional relationship and chemistry you have (or don't have) with the photographer.

Wedding photography is usually classified as traditional, photojournalistic (candid), and artistic. There is a wealth of information online regarding these categories, if you would like more explanation of each. Although some photographers may declare that they are "hardcore photojournalists" (the current buzz-word in the wedding photo industry), I believe that a good wedding photographer must be able to do all the styles equally well. It is important to review a good selection of the photographer's work, and you should love most (if not everything) you see. You should insist on viewing complete wedding albums to see how your final album could look. If you don't feel an emotional connection with the photos, you need to iHiring a wedding photographer may seem like a simple task, but choosing someone to capture all the moments and details of that special day can be much more difficult than most couples realize. The professional you select will create a photographic record that will be treasured by your family for generations, and making this decision is a critical step in the wedding-planning process. In some instances, hiring the wrong person might not only result in poor wedding photos, but could also have a negative effect on your entire wedding day (for example, imagine a sloppy-looking photographer running around, blocking the guests' view and constantly distracting you from enjoying your day).

One of the most common and unfortunate mistakes couples make is hiring a family friend or an enthusiastic relative to photograph the day. Some may even ask guests to take as many photos as possible with the hope of piecing together an album composed of candid shots, most of which are unusable. Keep in mind that even with the proper equipment, photographing a wedding properly is a daunting task requiring significant experience, the finesse' to be virtually invisible, and most importantly the talent and artistic vision to capture the memorable details and emotions of your wedding day. It is certainly not a job for the faint of heart.

How, then, does one choose an accomplished, professional wedding photographer? The key items to consider are your personal preferences in photography, your budget for the event, and the professional relationship and chemistry you have (or don't have) with the photographer.

Wedding photography is usually classified as traditional, photojournalistic (candid), and artistic. There is a wealth of information online regarding these categories, if you would like more explanation of each. Although some photographers may declare that they are "hardcore photojournalists" (the current buzz-word in the wedding photo industry), I believe that a good wedding photographer must be able to do all the styles equally well. It is important to review a good selection of the photographer's work, and you should love most (if not everything) you see. You should insist on viewing complete wedding albums to see how your final album could look. If you don't feel an emotional connection with the photos, you need to interview another photographer.

Couples also either under-budget for their wedding photography, or they try to shop around for the cheapest package, forsaking quality. As with any creative service, with most photographers you normally "get what you pay for." If you see an all-inclusive package with albums under $2000.00, the quality of all the products and services is usually poor. If the package is above $5000.00, you should expect 2 photographers present, at least 8 hours of coverage, and high-end wedding albums (along with some extra items, such as proofs or parent copies). Make sure you compare apples to apples when reviewing various wedding packages, since they can be confusing. In most cases a typical wedding photography budget would be in the $3000.00 - $6000.00 range. Don't treat your wedding photography as an afterthought - photographs are the most enduring and viewed remembrance of your wedding day (more so, even, than a video recording).

Make sure you feel a personal connection with your photographer. Some of the best photos of the day are usually taken "behind the scenes" as the wedding party prepares for the day, when you will be interacting with your family and friends. You should feel comfortable inviting the photographer "backstage." As a wedding photographer, I regularly get invited to see the most intimate parts of the wedding day that are normally not visible to most guests or even family. Your photographer should be calm and assertive and have a positive energy about them. Make sure he or she shows a genuine interest in you and your family. Do not hire a photographer that makes you feel that your wedding day is just another job for them. Your photos would certainly reflect that.

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Michael Graham is a Los Angeles and Palm Springs based wedding photographer known for his ability to capture moments and details of the wedding day. You may visit his website at: www.mgpweddings.com and www.michaelgrahamphoto.com

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What is Photojournalistic Wedding Photography?

What is photojournalistic wedding photography?

Introduction

When the term "Wedding Photography" is mentioned, the idea some people have in mind, especially the older generation, are posed formal shots, studio lights, and everyone looking at the camera. This is mainly because cameras and lighting equipment in the dark ages are bulky and cumbersome, and the only way to take a photo is to do it in a properly controlled environment, like a studio. This style of wedding photography is generally termed traditional wedding photography. With the advancement in camera and lens technology, a new style of wedding photography is emerging - photojournalistic.

There is no official record of the first man who began to shoot a wedding in this style, but one could imagine how it all happened. After the invention of 35mm camera, roll film and on camera flash, people start taking these gadgets to places, like the battlefield of the Second World War - probably the golden age of photojournalism. After the war ended, military-trained photographers turn their talent to shooting for the press. News coverage of celebrities' and royalties' weddings probably triggered the interests of the general public, and a new style of wedding photography silently begun.

Why photojournalistic wedding photography?
Early to mid-20th-century brides and grooms have only memories of their weddings because their photographers simply weren't there. This had changed. People today want something better than their parent's wedding photos: pictures that depict intimate and real moments - a tearful mother sending off her daughter, the first kiss as husband and wife, moments that are frozen in time, telling the story, something that the couple can look back in 20 years and relive the moment.

What happens before, during, and after the wedding?
Just like booking a traditional wedding photographer, clients would have arranged a meeting with the photojournalist, looked at his/her work, get to know him/her and the way he/she works. Photojournalistic pictures vary greatly in style, and therefore it is important to pick something you like. Equally important is the chemistry between the client and the photographer, which can affect the photo quality immensely.

There's no set agenda for the photographer. Because clients are already familiar with the styles of photos they will be receiving, wedding photojournalists are often just told to "do their magic". Photographs are captured spontaneously as the moments unfold, with an emphasis on emotions. The people will not be directed on how to pose and what to do. Some wedding photojournalist will also take formal posed photos in between wedding proceedings, so you can have the best of both worlds.

Because photographs were shot on the fly, exposures probably weren't optimum. They often required post processing, and it is common for photographs to be delivered more than a week after the wedding.

Last words
By simply taking photographs of 'whatever is going on' is not photojournalism, it does not tell a story. Photojournalistic wedding photos should be a cohesive collection of images that are not only a record of the day's events but are also images that capture as many "decisive moments" as possible.

A trained, experienced photojournalist will know to how to anticipate moments, record, and present them in the highest technical excellence possible, to really capture the essence of the wedding and be able to tell the complete story in pictures so others viewing those photos will be able to relive the event.

Teddy Tan - http://www.teddytan.com.au Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JZ_Tan

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Elegant Wedding Photography

Wedding photographs are truly something to be cherished throughout your life. These photographs speak a lot about the moments of enjoyment, the presence of the couple, the feeling of joy and everything that the bride and the groom experiences. Wedding photography should capture every move and every emotion that comes once in a lifetime.

It is also about a lot of advanced planning and management, or else, your wedding photographs could be a great disappointment. Even if you have hired the best photographer and had the best crew to assist you, incomplete arrangements can prove to be disastrous.

The key to elegant wedding photography is communication. Good photography begins with the development of good relationship with the photographer. Discussing all the intricacies of photography, including the style and the approach will give an insight to the person who would be taking the photographs. This helps in making these photographs a memorable experience and the photos seem more real.

You can as well give your photographer the liberty to use his own shooting philosophy. Depending on the different aspects of the wedding, such as venue, style, event etc. The photographer can use his imagination to produce excellent photographs.

If you also want to help your photographer in creating the best and the most beautiful photographs for that special day of your life, you must also look into the attribute layout of the site, the lights, the overall atmosphere and the hues used to make sure that everything is perfect.

The elegance of the photographs lies in the natural looks, the ambient light and the overall decoration. Simple is perfect for photograph. But the lights make a great difference. When dark places are chosen for weddings, which happen occasionally, the photographers are left with no other option but to use the flash lights.

Every wedding photograph is like a memory of overwhelming emotions. From the point the bride is being dressed, till the time the couple kiss each other, every moment is worth capturing. From the wedding gown to the rings, to the cake and the flowers, the ceremony and the venue, everything is important. Concentrating on the close-ups is also a must.

Some classic examples of elegant wedding photographs can be seen in different websites. The background, the attire and the colors are so well matched that it seems natural and not just photography.

Classiness also lies in the different positions and angles used for photography; it isn't everybody's forte. Only a handful of photographers can give you those perfect shots to make your wedding photos stand out in the crowd.

Capturing every emotion is also another sophistication of photography. The bride goes through countless emotions on the weeding day - sometimes happy, sometimes sad, and sometimes nervous and sometimes longing for the groom. Remembering these emotions can give you heart-felt joy even after years of wedding. These photographs can freshen up your memory whenever you want to experience that special day once again.

The groom cannot be left out - he also enjoys, feels nervous for the newly acquired status and responsibility, has a great time with friends and longs to kiss his bride. They hold hands, they hug and then the wedding kiss - an ever joyous moment.

For further information, please visit Elegant Wedding Photography Website Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hayi_Mansoor

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