Wedding photography questions (Page 3): I'd choose (let your daughter choose) based on photographer's style and cost. Also, it often makes sense for the photographer to shoot the bride...

Bill McKenna

I'd choose (let your daughter choose) based on photographer's style and cost. Also, it often makes sense for the photographer to shoot the bride alone a week or two before the wedding (in their dress) when the bride is less stressed. I'd ask the photographer if they do that, and what is the cost.

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

DWU2 wrote:

Off the top of my head: br - Is our date available... (show quote)

Wow! Hope it's ok to make and save a copy of your list.

MJPerini

You have received many good suggestions, I would add that most good Wedding Photographers have a personal style, be sure that their style fits what YOU want. You will get better pictures that way rather than asking for a different style. Every photographic style can produce beautiful pictures but if they are not the kind of pictures you want, then you won't be happy. There is the Photojournalistic style where the photographer covers it like a news or documentary event. They do fewer formal or set up shots, and cover the event. Others do lots of production off camera lighting some with full time lighting assistant. Some specialize in destination weddings. Etc.
You really need to decide what you want FIRST then you will know what questions to ask. Is an 'Engagement Session' included? I recommend that, because many times Couples have never worked with a professional photographer, it really helps to learn what to expect. The Couple gets to know the Photographer and vice versa, this lowers stress on the wedding day. They will have seen themselves in the photographers pictures before the wedding day, further reducing the chance of any disappointment. Be sure you are up front with the photographer about everything you want and expect before any money changes hands. And remember, good pictures are a collaboration, there is a very tight time schedule on most wedding days, and everything takes longer than you think it will. If you have an extensive 'shot list' ask someone from the family who knows everyone to help 'round them up" . If there is a very large wedding Party, the Bride & Groom should ask for their cooperation beforehand.
So if you are not doing the Photojournalistic, 'fly on the wall' coverage, it helps to think of the Photography of the wedding Day as an event hat has to be planned," the best surprise in no surprise" being Clear upfront, choosing a Photographer who's style matches what you want will get you the best pictures possible.

RCJets Loc: Virginia

JRD3 wrote:

My daughter is in the beginning stages of planning her wedding for 2023. Our family is looking into wedding photographers. Would very much appreciate thoughts on questions to pose to potential photographers. What might be a good method to help us select someone to help with this most important day. Have already reviewed websites for 8-10. I note some difference in final product, but all seem to be very competent. Websites all seem to be very professional. Thanks.

I'm in a photography club in Hampton, VA. We have at least two photographers who do a lot of weddings, and I'm NOT one of them. From what I have seen of their work, I think you'd be happy with it. We meet tomorrow evening. If you would like me to give them your name and number, please let me know. I think you have some time to check them out.
Joe

Seabastes

I have observed two of my grand-daughters weddings. Both the photographers charged around $3,000 These are just a few tho and provided digital files instead of prints that could be printed by the wedding couple and shared with friends and family.

Obviously the business has changed from when the photographer use to make the most profit from print sales.

In both cases the photographers earned every nickel of the $3,000 . I have never seen any photographer work so hard than these ladies did.They did intensive post processing and delivered DVD's of the edited files. They also had an assistant backings up as a second shooter.

The digital editing they did would have taken two to four days after the photos on the wedding day, plus these ladies covered the rehearsal.

Interesting enough, neither wedding couple had many prints made of the wedding. That was their choice, the photographer did a phenomenal job and earned their fee.

I would asked a prospective wedding photographer if they provided digital files, prints, showed samples other work, and were digital images edited and finished with photoshop done files.

When I was a young photographer, I photographed four family weddings, two of which eventually ended by divorce and swore never again to do another wedding.

I have enjoyed shooting a few candids of my two grand daughters weddings with permission of the official wedding photographer.

Our third grand daughter is getting married in April this year, I'll be very happy to not more than do more than a, few candids.

I say this as editorial and corporate industrial photographer of 60 years and credits in over 100 editorial publications world wide.

Craig Meyer Loc: Sparks, NV

scooter1 wrote:

When my wife and I got married we checked out nume... (show quote)

And don't scrimp on the $$. For adult bride and groom paid weddings this is one place a close relative might beneficially help out. The beneficiaries of Wedding Photography are the entire family, so a little "engagement or wedding present" cash could go a long way toward allowing the couple to choose the BEST solution. Word of mouth amongst the close family should be enough.

Craig Meyer Loc: Sparks, NV

big-guy wrote:

All good responses but once you have it narrowed d... (show quote)

When my son got married at out mountain home, the photographer acted as an ad hoc wedding official. The officiator was lost and late. I was on the Internet getting 'Ordained" when she showed up. The Photog saved the day, and I'm probably one of the few father's of the Groom who ever tipped her $100.

C

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

TimHGuitar wrote:

There are some photographs that will really stand out when you are finally old enough to value things that matter in life. I've spent time with my aunts and uncles when they reach the age of 80 or more, and more often than not, their conversations involve getting me to look over old photographs and they ask me to copy them and to enlarge them so that they can see them better. I return the next weekend and they tell me the stories behind each photograph. As it turned out, those stories were not known to the family beforehand, and I am now considered the family historian because of my experience with the older generation. I am now 70 years old and have become that older generation.
Wedding photographs are often neglected when it comes to the old family photograph albums. This is because so few older folks had the money to spend on their wedding photos. Often there's only one that survives.
I would suggest that you look at old wedding photographs from your own family's history. Notice the ones that mean the most to you. These are probably the ones that include family members who are now gone. Perhaps they came from far away to attend the wedding, and many of the younger members did not often see them.
In this case, the group photos are important. If so, make sure that the photographer you hire can set up a group photo where everyone is in focus. Their faces are clearly shown and their expressions are all decent. In the old days, it was common to press the shutter just when someone in the group would blink. Nowadays, assuming the photographer is shooting digital, they can replace heads with the best expression for each individual. The photographer, in this case, exposes a number of shots of each set up and looks for the best expression of each person in the group and replaces certain head shots with ones from another exposure, thereby providing you with a group photo where everyone is decently represented.
These concerns are often those of the parents because the bride and groom are more interested in their wedding party and their close friends who will be attending. But it is my experience that in the long run, family rules. Friends come and go, but family is there for the long term. This scenario escapes the bride and groom until they reach the age of 50 or more. That's when family history becomes more important. It's when we begin to lose the older generation when we realize that we should have spent more time with them and listened to the stories of their lives.
For what it's worth, that's my recommendation. Make sure the photographer can capture meaningful group photos (along with the post processing work in photoshop) along with the current popular "candids" that are flooding the wedding market.

There are some photographs that will really stand ... (show quote)

Very WELL stated !

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

JRD3 wrote:

My daughter is in the beginning stages of planning her wedding for 2023. Our family is looking into wedding photographers. Would very much appreciate thoughts on questions to pose to potential photographers. What might be a good method to help us select someone to help with this most important day. Have already reviewed websites for 8-10. I note some difference in final product, but all seem to be very competent. Websites all seem to be very professional. Thanks.

First question i would ask is what camera is he/she using, if anyone says their using a cell phone or a Kodak point & shoot, cross them off the list.

Sea Jay

Having shot my share of weddings please allow me to make this observation; Most professional wedding photographers are technically competent…the key to good photographs is the bride and grooms comfort with the photographer. I explain it like this…if I’m photographing a dog and he doesn’t like me I’m gonna get bit, if I’m photographing a child and he/she doesn’t like me they’re gonna cry, if I’m photographing a professional model and she’s uncomfortable then I’m gonna end up with junk and if I’m photographing a wedding and the bride and groom aren’t having fun with me then the final product will be average…not spectacular. Have her meet the photographers face to face and choose the one she’s most comfortable with. One more thing…I only shoot one wedding per day. My day starts when theirs does and ends when the last guests are leaving. Shooting multiple weddings a day is just greed and the bride and groom know it. Hope this helps.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I was reticent about chiming in on this thread, mainly because I tend to "write a book" on this subject. As I have written many times on this forum, wedding photography and portraiture were my entry level into professional photography and in a way, still my "first love" so I am very passionate about the discipline. I'll try to keep this as short as I can.

I don't want to sound like an old grouch who is disgruntled with the state of the industry but I will say that nowadays, everyone and their mother-in-law is into wedding photograhy and many simply do not know what are they are doing. I know that sound harsh but when I see some other stuff that passes for professional wedding photography, I cringe. Rather the being negative and telling y'all what many of these well-meaning but misguided fils and not doing or doing improperly, I would rather talk about what the consummate professional wedding photography is all about.

Wedding photography, at its best, is a multi-disciplinary job. Most clients, the bride, groom, their bridal parties and families want to appear at their best in their formal, casual and candid wedding photographs. The photograher should have a solid grounding in portraiture, that is lighting, posing, and attention to detail composition. Obviously, a wedong does not take place in a photography studio and there are serious time constraints and a totally different atmosphere and environment. Where "formal" portraiture is concerned, the photographer has to be able to do the work in a fast, efficient and flowing manner. The technique needs to be second nature. The shoot has to be well organized, yet easy and relaxed and expertly directed.

The other phase of the work is at another end of the spectrum- photojournalism. That means being able to capture the story, emotions, ceremony and festivities in a fluid manner, without being obtrusive and always begin in the right place a the right time to anticipate and shoot the action at the peak of expression and spontaneity.

As if being a portraitist and photojournalist all wrapped up in one package isn't enough, wedding photography adds new meaning to the concept of multi-tasking. Let's throw in a bit of fashion photography- one needs to know how to drape a gown or a train, arrange a veil, how to integrate the lines and designs of floral bouquets and pay attention to every detail- and let's not forget the groom and his crew- neckties, droopy trousers, sloppy jackets are all spoilers.

Even the best technicians and artists do not necessarily always make the best wedding photographer- you gotta have the personality. The first attribute is attitude. The photographer must realize, no matter how modest or elaborate a wedding is, it is always an extremely important e life-changing event, oftentimes a sacred and joyous experience and should always be approached withte an attitude that covering this is an awesome responsibility. Patience is not only a virtue but a mandatory trait. Flexability is required and the ability to easily work around any issues, problems or unexpected happenings. Chang gears in the middle of a race and comes up with alternative tactics in split seconds are important talents.

Planning is of the utmost importance. The photograher should meet with the couple, well in advance, and go over all the fine details, expectations, and scheduling so that everyone is on the same page. Planning is an important bit I will let y'all in on a secret. You can wake up an experience weddg photographer, in the middle of the night and parachute him or her into a wedding by parachute and they will nonetheless come back with decent coverage. A savvy shooter can make order out of chaos- it's not the best approach but it sometimes happens.

The lists of shots folks have posted are interesting, but an experienced pro does not require a list. They know the drill, the know-how to capture spontaneous happenings and know all the ins and outs of religious and civil ceremonies. The only list I require is a who' who- so I know everyone's name for the bridal party and family shots, know how to address them and make certn they are all included.

For y'all old guys (like me) please remember times have changed. Some couples like some of the traditional POSED shots and some want everything off the cuff- totally candid, casual and photojournalistic. Personally, I have no objection to either basic style. however, I always suggest a mixture. Some young couples do not fully realize the elegant formal shots they see and like in the portfolio do not magically materialize and require some cooperation. I offer a trade-off- they pose for a scheduled interlude and every else is strictly candid.

Of course, the couple shod be impressed with the photographer's portfolio and make certain that the images they are adding are those of the photographer who will be attending their weddings.I never have that issue because I do not have a second crew or stringers. A contract should be prepared will all the services and sites that will be included in the initial price or package and a price list of additional options would be attached- no surprises!

Equipment? A consummate pro will have the right gear to do the job and plenty of back-ups and spare equipment. He or she should work equally well with flash, available light, out-of-doors and interior settings.

I questionnaire that was posted is interesting. The question "What was the worst wedding you ever covered" is especially interesting! My answer would be," I have NEVER had covered a bad wedding"! That would be a fib! Yes- I have had some humdingers! How about a fire in the kitchen a the reception and the dining room had to be evacuated, the bride's dad passing away during the ceremony- once was the uncle, the groom not showing up, a fight where the riot police had to be called and the hall was severely damaged or where the entire bridal party was intoxicated before the ceremony"??? I would, however, not tell folks these rare horror stories- it's negativism they do not need to hear and besides, I still managed to plow through most of these rare disasters. The "people skills got me through!

I have heard many ofhte newbie young whippersnapper say they are gettg into weddg photographer because it is a fun job and they attend joyous occasions. Well- after 56 years of weddings, I still look like I am enjoying the work- I smile a lot! I actually do enjoy the work but it ain't fun- it's hard work and lots of responsibility. The greatest compliment I enjoy is the end of the night, after a log-days shoot, I bed the couple good night and thank them for their cooperation and they tell me they had fun with their photography and once the festivities started they hardly knew I was there.

JRD3 Loc: Richmond, VA

Thanks to all for taking time to respond. The comments have been instructive. Some have given a great insight into the process and what should be expected on what will be a special day. My family is grateful for the input.