documenting the day |
photography
shoot was with the bride and groom in a pool together,” says David Stanley of DC Stanley Photography. GET THE BIG PICTURE
Once you’ve honed in on your style and have your top photographer choices in mind, decide together what add-ons are most important for you, and work them into your budget. For starters, don’t make any assumptions about what’s included in the photography fee, referred to as the “investment” by most wedding photographers. “Some photographers include prints in their wedding collections, but this should be one of the items you ask about during your consultation with the photographer prior to booking,” says Henry. Depending on your lifestyle and
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what you plan to do with your photos—for instance, do you prize the idea of a big, beautiful, customized, flush-mount album, or are you more of a DIY-er or digital-file sharer?—“There may be more than one way to get to the price that fits your budget,” says Stanley. Though he does add: “We feel an album is the most memorable item one can have from the wedding day. You want to be able to go back and feel like you were there. Others should be able to pick up the book and understand the story of the wedding day.” While you’re talking wedding packages with your potential photographers, make sure to inquire about what they have to offer as far as types of albums, turnaround time and cost of prints, and unique products they might specialize in, such as reproductions on canvas.
P R E PA R E F O R T H E S P O T L I G H T
On one of the most exciting and emotional days of your life, being followed by the paprazzi can be more than a little nerve-wracking, especially for the shy bride. As Lee says, “Having hundreds of photos taken of you can be an awkward experience. The good news is that as the shoot goes on, you will naturally become more comfortable.” “Just try your best to ignore us,” Bennett advises. “I know it can be difficult at times, but we generally like to keep our distance to help with this. This way we can capture beautiful moments and interactions throughout the day. When posing, I like to give minimal instructions to my clients. I let them do whatever comes naturally. If the portraits are too staged, then the expressions I get aren’t authentic.”