Feb 26
There are many pitfalls for an anxious bride, but with a little friendly advice you can avoid the seven most common mistakes brides make. These tips were gathered by LightRain Images, a Phoenix, Arizona Wedding Photography Company, from years of working with brides, before, during and after the wedding and hearing stories from the bride’s envious friends who tearfully recounted their bad experiences.
1) Allowing yourself to be talked into having a friend, relative or newbie photograph your wedding. Your special day only happens once and you can’t go back and capture these special moments after the event. Uncle Harry might have been a great photography hobbyist or your college roommate might have a cool new digital camera, but there is a huge difference in quality and consistency between an amateur and a seasoned professional photography TEAM handling the photography from beginning to end. There seems to be an overabundance of people who think they want to become wedding photographers, but quit after a wedding or two of disappointed brides. There are many sad stories from brides recounting how they thought they would be getting a good deal to have a person just getting into the business try out wedding photography at their wedding.
2) Not asking enough questions when choosing a photographer. You are planning the most memorable day of your life. You need to ask as many questions as you can. A good professional photographer will welcome this. Look at the albums the photographer has created. Do you like the style? Are they fresh and contemporary? Do they do quality black and white photography? Do they do sepia art? Do they look old fashioned or too stiff and stuffy? Do they combine photojournalistic style with classic portraiture and tell the wonderful story of the wedding day? How many photographers will be shooting the event? What if one of them becomes ill? Do they use digital photography equipment? What happens if one of the cameras stops working? Is there backup equipment? How long has the photographer been in the business? Does the company have liability insurance? Do they have any formal education in the field? How many images will be taken? Will they be displayed on-line for friends and relatives to view?
3) Leaving all the decisions to the photographer. Working with your photographer to plan the types of poses and images you are looking for can make a big difference in the final product. You should become engaged in the process. Get excited about planning the location, poses and combinations of friends and relatives that you want. Clip pictures out of magazines that you feel are romantic and compelling to show your photographer. A good photographer will welcome the involvement. See www.LightRainImages.com for How to Work With Your Photographer to Create Gorgeous Images. Good planning with a professional turns good photography into Photobiography!
4) The Whirlwind Syndrome. A phenomenon occurs at every wedding for all brides and grooms. All the details and events that have been planned for months and dreamed about for years happen so quickly that it seems that the whole event is compressed into a short whirlwind of activity. The bride and groom get pulled here and there by friends, family, the bridal party and the photographers. The day’s events become a blur and seem to go by in a flash. Before the couple knows it, it is all over and all that remains is their sketchy memory and stunning photographs to help them relive their special moments. A good photography team will capture all the establishing photos of the venue, the details of the table settings, the rings, the shoes, the bride’s dress, flowers and tuxedo details before the event begins. These will be captured for not only you and your groom to enjoy, but also your friends, family, your children and grandchildren. Make sure you have a photographer that is experienced with capturing all the details, who can do high quality macro shots and is passionate about doing the highest quality work and designing them into your unique custom designed coffee table storybook album. You want someone that creates true art.
5) Committing too much of your budget to things that don’t last. It has been said that photographs, like diamonds, are forever. Don’t finalize your budget until you have considered carefully each item and thought about the total lifetime value of each component. Years from your wedding date will your guests be thinking of how large your cake was or remembering how your flowers smelled? Will your grandchildren ask you how much you spent on your fancy venue or limo or will they marvel when they look at the timeless images in your album and how beautiful their grandmother was when she married that handsome guy with the thick hair?
6) Choosing a photographer that is not personable. To ensure that all your special moments are captured, you will be spending a considerable amount of time with your photographer. The chemistry between the couple and the photographer should be good. You should work with a photographer who you can relax and be comfortable with. A photographer can be the most technically competent in the world, but if they can’t work in a friendly, courteous and fun way, they will only stress you out and the pictures will reveal your discomfort.
7) Choosing photographer that works alone. Some competent photographers either work alone or with a semi-skilled assistant. Regardless of skill level, a photographer can’t be everywhere and many exciting events happen simultaneously. Important photojournalistic shots can be missed if there is only one photographer attempting to capture them all.
For additional wedding planning tips and helpful information, contact LightRain Images by Lilet. LightRain Images is an East Valley Wedding Photography Company, but photographs weddings worldwide. Call 480.699.5731 or email lilet@LightRainImages.com