Kristy White Photography

Great Wedding Photos

Amateur or Professional?

The past few years has seen major changes in Wedding Photography.  The digital age has not only changed the way you shoot, store and print your personal images, but it has also blurred line between the amateur/professional photographer.

As people have embraced technology and digital equipment has become affordable, so they have gained the confidence to take on professional tasks.  The combination of Photoshop, photo books, sharing images on facebook and other social network sites has re-shaped the photo world.

As a result, you will see more and more "amateur" photographers out in the Wedding field, snapping away hundreds of images, charging very little and handing over a disk with the images.  Now, everyone needs to start somewhere, and I was once a young snapper with a lot to learn.  My advice is to decide how important your Wedding photos are to you.  If you are willing to take the risk, and ask a friend, relative or rookie to shoot on the day, be prepared for all eventualities.

If, on the other hand, your wedding memories are extremely important, and you appreciate that this is one day that can't be re-shot, I suggest exploring and researching the professional options available to you.  By all means, ask your friends and family to take photos and give you a disk of the candid moments you share, but if you are willing to pay a little more for experience and peace of mind, then Professional is the way to go.

Planning your Photos

Once you have decided on your photographer you need to plan your timetable and your locations. 

Discuss photo styles, times of day, themes, cars, catering and all the incidental requirements you have - families, guests etc.

If you have flower girls, pageboys or younger children involved, make sure you get lots of photos of them early in the day.  You may find that by the time the formals begin, they have had enough and won't be interested.  That way, you will have already captured some great shots.

If you are having photos at home, set aside an area free of clutter and with good natural light. For formal photos, look for interesting architectural aspects, arches, steps, paths, seats and gardens.

The best light of the day is early morning and late afternoon.  Most photographers utilise the last light of day to their best advantage.

Most importantly, meet with your photographer - several times if necessary.  Visit locations, discuss wet weather options, and get to know each other. 

When choosing packages, check how much time is covered.  Do you want photos before the ceremony, or mainly after?  Is the reception covered? Make sure you allocate enough time for formals so you don't feel rushed.

Its also a good idea to know how you would like to showcase your photos after the Wedding Day.  Would you like an album, parent album, prefer a disk or maybe some canvases or framing for your home.  This way, you may be able to customise your package.

The more comfortable you feel with your photographer, the better your photographs will be and you'll be more relaxed on the day.

You also need to be flexible with your plans - you never know what will pop up on the day.  It is helpful to have a wet-weather plan - even in a drought!

The best advice is to get involved - this is your Special Day, so plan ahead, don't be afraid to ask questions or make suggestions. Most photographers appreciate the input - it's not about what we want - its all about you!