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5th July 2008

The secret of great wedding photography is the marriage of minds between the couple and their photographer. Great Wedding photographs don't just appear, you are both part of the process with your photographer. There are several simple things you can do which will improve your wedding photographs. However there are some important things you need to know about your photographer and whether his or her photographic philosophy works with what you want.

Remember this: When you open your wedding album and go WOW! You do that for two reasons. First your photographer has given you something you just didn't expect. Secondly and arguable more importantly, your photographer just gave something you were expecting. You must have both if you want the wow factor when you look at your wedding album. Here some things you can take on board when choosing a wedding photographer:

1. Look at each other

Please remember you are marrying each other not the minister or the registrar. I took ten years out of professional photography to become a Baptist Minister and I want to assure you its okay to face one another. You have spent a small fortune on wedding photography, but at the crucial moment all that anyone sees in your backs - talk to whoever is doing the wedding and TELL them you want to look at each other.

2. Do, do crazy things on the day

Please do act on the spur of the moment. Spontaneous things can work really great on wedding photographs and a good photographer will lap it up.

3. Colour or Black and White ?

Some will say what goes around comes around. But the reality is that black and white and colour photography are very different. Black and white is much more atmospheric and dramatic. Look at samples of photography because colour photographs should be either subtle or vibrant never wishy washy. Make sure you get both in your album. Ask what the mix will be, i usually do 70% black and white for intimate shots and 70% colour for group shots. Ask the photographer which they prefer and why.

4. Do it for real NOT mock

Beware the part-time wedding photographer who will want to do MOCK cake cutting and MOCK first dance so they can get away. Don't accept MOCK anything. If your photographer is not there when you actually cut the cake, then they've missed the speeches, and the meal and that special moment, and the... You want your photographer by your side all day.

5. Can you trust your photographer?

Trust is important. You have to feel you can trust your photographer, after all they will see you all made up and completely un-made. You have to feel you can trust your photographer so when they ask you to do something or pose in a particular way, its going to make a great photograph.

6. Style and approach

A photographer can't be all things to all people. Ask what their photographic philosophy is - reportage, traditional, journalism. Does their approach agree with yours?

7. Listening

The first time you meet your photographer, check whether you feel they listened to you. At the end of the day you want to open your album and get the wow factor, that happens when the photographer gives you something of what you are expecting, with things your were never expecting.

8. Flexibility

"Customer is King" is a true saying, or in this case " Queen" and being flexible is essential. I guess all wedding photographers go through the "Packages" stage in their career, I know I did. Here my package, take it or leave it. One thing to know about your wedding is that its UNIQUE. Therefore, you need a photographer who appreciates your uniqueness. If a photographer is not flexible to your desires before your wedding day, they will be even less flexible on your day.

9. To be seen or not to be seen

There's a big difference between being seen and being noticed. Its your day so do you really want a photographer taking over? - And it happens in so many ways - from telling the couple what to do - to making everyone wait for their meal. I've even known a photographer stop the ceremony because he missed a shot. Remember its your day and your photographer is there to guide you NOT dictate to you. However the thing that annoys me most is the photographer with the big flashgun. With the right investment in high speed lenses and a proper understanding of exposure 95% of photography can and should be taken with available light. In the last 12 months i've only used flash once.

10. Know what's going to happen in case of bad weather

You can never guarantee the weather, especially in the UK. When the sun is out photography is easier because there are usually lots of places to go with the bridal party to get great photographs. But when its raining its a different story. Space is usually limited and locations likewise. Without exception I always checkout the wedding and reception venues if i've never photographed there before. Because I try to use only available light I need to see where the light is good - but I also check out where we can photograph on a rainy day.

Author: Keith Beesley

www.imaginethat.uk.net