Photography Etiquette
<b>Q</b>: I love the look of photojournalistic wedding photography, but all my married friends have traditional, Posed pictures. How do I decide?
<b>A</b>: Ideally, you'll want a mix of posed and spontaneous images. While all photographers promise a mix of the two styles, they will inevitably gravitate toward one style. So if you adore the idea of documentary-style images, you'll probably want to hire someone who specializes in a more photojournalistic style. Then, simply discuss which posed shots you'd also like. It's harder for a portrait photographer to do the reverse.
<b>Q</b>: When should formal pictures be taken?
<b>A</b>: lt's up to you. Here are the options:
Before the ceremony. Our favorite! Of course, if you want to uphold the tradition of not seeing each Other before the wedding, this is out. But more and more couples choose to spend time alone prior to the Ceremony, and it's a great opportunity to get family and wedding-party portraits done when everyone's
excited and fresh.
After the ceremony. The Newlyweds and wedding party take pictures while guests wait outside or travel to the reception and start the cocktail hour. (So as not to make guests wait for hours, keep the list to the bare minimum: couple alone, with parents, with wedding party, with bride's family, and with groom's family.)
During the reception. Some couples steal away to take shots with their wedding party and families. Consider whether you want to take this time away from your guests. And beware-you won't look as fresh.
Afterward. You might have to redo your makeup! It definitely depends on how late the party will go, too. The biggest advantage: absolutely no distractions or nerves.
<b>Q</b>: We're on a really tight budget. How smart is it to hire a photography student or ask a guest who's an Amateur photographer to take pictures?
<b>A</b>: lf you find a truly talented student, or if you've always admired your cousin's skill as a shutterbug, this might be an option. Just keep in mind that if the person doesn't have wedding experience, you might not get the results you want. Honestly, you'll probably do better trying to save elsewhere.
<b>Q</b>: I'm concerned that my photographer won't get shots of all the guests I want. How do I make sure this Happens without being a total control freak?
<b>A</b>: Take the responsibility off your shoulders by giving him or her a list of must-take photos in advance- certain moments and/or people that you definitely want captured on film. Ask a relative or close friend to be on call to point out specific people for the photographer. An interesting idea we saw recently: A backdrop
was set up in a corner of the reception room, and anyone interested could go over in groups for shots with the bride and groom. This was an easy way for groups of family and friends to take the responsibility into their own hands.
<b>Q</b>: Color or black-and-white film-which to choose?
<b>A</b>: There's definitely a trend back toward black-and-white wedding pictures. There's something dramatic and timeless about photographs in shades of only black, white, and gray. But with color film, you'll capture all the details you so painstakingly planned. Your best bet (and our preference): a combination of the two, with a leaning toward black-and-white.
<b>Q</b>: What are the benefits of having our photographer shoot digitally?
<b>A</b>: Digital cameras do not use film-they record the visual information of a picture in an entirely electronic form. The advantages of digital photography are cost (no film development costs), archiving (no "negatives"; all of your "negatives" with digital photography can be kept on CDs), and ease of sharing (you can easily E-mail your friends and family wedding photos without having to scan the prints). Photographers may charge more (especially if they need to rent a camera), but it may save you money in the long run.
Courtesy of <a class='navitem2' href='http://theknot.com'>The Knot </a> via <a class='navitem2' href='http://scrippsmedia.com'>Scripps Media</a>
