Your Wedding Photos and Videos: Make Them Eternal, Artistic
Keepsakes
If the rule of thumb for planning a wedding is to start a year
ahead of time, hiring a photographer and a videographer or at
least asking for their input should be close to the same date.
Acquiring a good relationship with your photographer early on is
important because you want him to attend your wedding from the
beginning to the end, so he can capture every memorable moment
for you to reminisce many years afterwards.
With fancy and elaborate weddings, as well as with impromptu
weddings or weddings on small budgets, a good photographer will
be the most important person to hire. Most photographers, since
they have an eye for color and design, can give precious tips in
the planning stage before the couple and their parents start
spending money.
After the wedding of a daughter of a friend when the wedding
photos arrived, the newlywed bride burst in tears. She thought,
when in print, the pansy motif background and the purple and
pink bridesmaid gowns mixed and clashed with each other, making
the bride and the groom look cheap against a ridiculous
background. Had they consulted with the photographer beforehand
about the colors and designs of the flowers, the decorations,
the background, and the bridesmaids' outfits, her heartache
could be avoided.
My daughter-in-law hired a very apt photographer who gave her a
good deal by including the videography in the overall price.
Moreover, when he found out that the beach with the sun coming
up meant a lot to the couple, he made an appointment with them
to have their photos taken at a local beach deserted at dawn. He
had them dress in formal wear and enlarged the best photo to
16''x 20'' in size. He put a huge white border around the photo
and everyone in the wedding signed on the border, scribbling a
wish or two. Now, this is one of the most cherished possessions
for the couple. It is truly priceless.
If you are on a budget and can't afford the fancy touches the
photographer suggests, you might decide to put up big poster
board on an easel for all the wedding guests' thoughts, wishes
and signatures. Make sure you leave enough space in the middle
of the board for a wedding photo. It will make a wonderful
memento, not just for you but for your great grandchildren to
come.
Giving the photographer freedom in creating spontaneous photos
and letting him practice his or her artistic style always works
for the couple's benefit. A qualified photographer will take the
couple's wishes into account and work from there. Involving the
photographer in every step of the way makes it possible for him
to interact better with the couple and their families in order
to see and learn their best angles before the wedding.
The alert photographer who took my nephew's wedding photos
counseled the couple against holding their outdoor wedding at
midday when it is the worst possible time to take photos. They
decided on a late afternoon wedding and an early to late evening
reception. Everyone was happy with the results because the
photos and the video were spectacular.
A good photographer will let all wedding attendees into the
photos. With closest relatives and friends of the couple taking
the front row, every person who has attended the wedding
deserves to be at least in a group picture. Giving the
photographer a list and introducing him to the guests as they
arrive is a good idea. Who wouldn't want to exhibit a
magnificent album of wedding photos and a recorded video many
years after when the wedding becomes a hazy image in most
anyone's mind?
If you have a different videographer other than your
photographer, it is a good idea to let him know, several weeks
before the wedding, how you prefer things. Before you hire a
videographer always ask to see samples of his work. For the
videography, filming with a soft-box light turns out better than
the flash or the video light. Audio quality is just as important
as the video quality. Choosing a DVD recording instead of a VHS
is always a good idea, since the DVDs can be divided into
chapters and scene selections. Also a DVD will give you superior
quality pictures and images.
Yet, the most important tip is this: You, the bride or the
groom, when that great day comes, remember to be yourself while
looking at the camera. Your photographer wants to capture you as
a human being, not just a beautiful image.
May you and all the brides and grooms enjoy exceptional photo
and video keepsakes to cherish for the rest of your lives.