| Tip 1: What is important to you about your | | | | some of your photos this way will help your |
| wedding? | | | | photographer make sure she gets images that will |
| This tip is really simple but very important! | | | | work well for that use. |
| Here it is......Grab that fiance' of yours go | | | | Tip 6: Make sure your photographer can deliver |
| somewhere relaxing and start to talk about what | | | | This seems so obvious, and yet brides miss this |
| is most important to you for your wedding. Make | | | | one all the time, and pay a BIG PRICE for it after |
| a list of what is important to him and to you then | | | | their wedding! Be sure the photographer has lots |
| talk about them and... you may need to | | | | of happy brides and grooms, who have taken |
| compromise but that will really get you started | | | | time to write and tell the photographer how |
| down the path of being able to resolve your | | | | happy they were with both him, and his work! |
| differences without ending up in divorce court! | | | | We're talking TESTIMONIALS here! From real |
| Here are some ideas to get you started: | | | | people, with their full names, and their city and |
| - Food -Are you a foodie...is food really important | | | | state, so you can call them if you want to, just |
| to you or not so much Music - Are you really into | | | | to check them out and make sure that they |
| music and really love to dance if so put it up | | | | really said what the photographer says they said. |
| there at the top of the list. If not well put it | | | | (That is a hard sentence to read, but you get the |
| where you feel m the most comfortable. | | | | point! Sorry!) |
| - Flowers and decoration - How much does it | | | | I'm sorry to be so skeptical, but the switch to |
| matter to you that the church and or the | | | | Digital has made it possible for anyone with a |
| reception venue really look sharp do you need to | | | | digital camera to think of themselves as |
| satisfy your inner designer? | | | | professional. ALWAYS ask how long they have |
| - The Ceremony venue - Are you tied to a | | | | been photographing weddings and very important, |
| church or have always dreamed of a lake side or | | | | ask to see samples of more than one complete |
| mountain top wedding? Dig deep and discover | | | | wedding. If they have been photographing for less |
| your dreams! | | | | than 2 years get names of clients and call them. |
| - Party Time - Is having a good time really up | | | | While we all recognize the importance of |
| there, so good a time that you might not | | | | budgeting if you have determined that |
| remember what you did the next day? Well put it | | | | photography is very important to you do not |
| up there ahead of everything else and remember | | | | settle for the cheapest. A photographer who |
| that it likely will involve an open bar!! | | | | charges $500.00 to cover 12 hours of you |
| Ok you get the idea! | | | | wedding, perform accurate post production, full fill |
| Why this process is important is it helps you | | | | your print orders, is not paying themselves |
| prioritize where to spend your money and in the | | | | anything. In the end you end up losing memories |
| process reduces the stress of planning and helps | | | | of one the most important days of your life. |
| you rest assured that your day will be what you | | | | Tip 7: A Magic Way To Have A Great Wedding. |
| want. Oh! it can also help keep you focused on | | | | One of the things that you really want to look for |
| your vision. | | | | in your photographer, is someone who knows |
| One final thing...share your priorities with your | | | | how to identify the important parts of an ongoing |
| wedding party and most importantly your | | | | story. One who knows what to look for and can |
| photographer. Why the photographer, because | | | | capture it in the style you prefer without taking a |
| she will be with you the entire day and if she | | | | hundred zillion pictures. |
| knows your priorities she can focus her energy in | | | | Also look at the photos closely does the |
| the right direction. As an added bonus she can | | | | composition reflect your style? Does the collection |
| also fine tune her services so they match your | | | | tell a story that is heart felt and authentic. Does |
| priorities. | | | | each photo contain a story? |
| Tip 2: How to be a green and thrifty princess. | | | | Tip 8: Be the center of the universe on your |
| Your dress is the Princess dress you have | | | | wedding day. |
| dreamed about since can remember. As a little girl | | | | This is very important whether you are engaging |
| you may have played dress up with your friends | | | | a caterer, a venue, or photographer. Make sure |
| and may even had a "wedding" or two with | | | | you are the only show in town for them on your |
| neighbor boy you had a crush on! It is very easy | | | | wedding day, especially for the services you have |
| to fulfill that dream when we a in an economic | | | | identified as top on your priority list. |
| boom but right now we are not so maybe you | | | | While this is less of an issue with food service and |
| might want to think about ...Plan B! | | | | venues it is still important to make sure they |
| As you already know you are only going to wear | | | | understand that you want them to focus on you |
| that dress once (hopefully). So why spend | | | | on your day doing so will almost guarantee their |
| thousands and then have it sit in a box | | | | best service. This issue is particularly important |
| somewhere? What else can you do? | | | | when it comes to photographers since many will |
| Well for starters you could pick out a dress that | | | | cram as many weddings into a day as they |
| can be used after your wedding... A simple | | | | humanly can. This means they must rush from |
| number that reflects your stylishness and still | | | | your wedding, to get to another, and then rush |
| keeps the princess alive. | | | | from that one, to get to another. |
| The folks down under and elsewhere have | | | | Also, as I mentioned earlier, digital photography |
| pioneered this by opting for non-white dresses! | | | | has made it extremely easy for what has |
| Yes you read that right...we have seen red, blue | | | | become know as "Debbie Digitals" and "Uncle |
| and even green wedding dresses AND the cool | | | | Bobs" to offer their "services" without really |
| thing is they seem to help create an atmosphere | | | | knowing what is involved in providing great |
| of fun and celebration. After all that is what it is...a | | | | wedding coverage. More often than not, they |
| celebration. | | | | have decided that "taking wedding pictures" is an |
| Others are opting for renting and even picking up | | | | "easy" way to make some cash on the side. |
| a used one. Many of the brides who participate in | | | | Nothing is further from the truth, good wedding |
| "Trash the Dress" shoots get some pretty cool | | | | photographs require a photographer who knows |
| dresses for even cooler prices on eBay! Others | | | | how to use a variety of lenses, understands light |
| have gotten great ones at the Salvation Army | | | | and can provide more than snapshots. |
| and even the Goodwill. | | | | SO...If capturing the story of your day in a way |
| The additional benefit of all of this besides saving | | | | that evokes your memories and emotions no |
| you money is the green factor...by focusing on | | | | matter when you view the photos is high priority, |
| multiple uses for your dress or recycling one you | | | | then this type of photographer is probably not |
| help reduce consumption! And that is good for all | | | | going to be a good fit for you. |
| of us... plus it frees up cash for other things that | | | | HOWEVER...If after working through your priorities |
| may be higher on your priority list. | | | | you determine that photography isn't as important |
| Stay happy and relaxed!! | | | | as say your meal, or the music then this type of |
| Tip 3: Say no to stress on your day!! | | | | photographer may work just fine. |
| Take the stress out! | | | | REMEMBER ...This basic law: |
| Remember when we talked about the Princess | | | | You always get what you pay for! |
| thing? Well here is another part of that to help | | | | A photographer who only photographs one |
| you reduce the stress of the days before your | | | | wedding per weekend or better yet is very |
| wedding and on the day itself. | | | | selective about the number of clients she works |
| Ok...take a deep breath let it out slowly and | | | | with will be fresh and alert for you. She limits her |
| repeat the following: "There is no such thing as a | | | | weddings because she understands how important |
| perfect wedding however my wedding turns out | | | | this day is to you, and the importance of being |
| is how it will be". | | | | there for you from the beginning. |
| Leave the rainbow to Dorothy!! | | | | A selective photographer is a photographer who |
| Now once you have started repeating this mantra | | | | values each and every client as more than a |
| put some serious thought into finding a good and | | | | source of income, working with you is more than |
| supportive friend who also happens to be good | | | | a simple transaction. |
| with details. This lucky person will be your very | | | | Tip 9: Choose a leader and collaborator over a |
| own personal attendant and assistant. So when | | | | vendor |
| Aunt Susie asks "where do I put the gifts?" raise | | | | Why is this so important? Well a vendor is defined |
| you arm and point ever so innocently while you | | | | as " a person or company or company offering |
| say " thanks for asking and my good friend | | | | something for sale." This definition implies a single |
| (insert name) is completely in charge so I can be | | | | transaction with little or no concern for your |
| princess of the day and savor my memories!" | | | | needs or desires, in other words a vendor implies |
| See that was easy wasn't it? | | | | a product and not a service. When a caterer, |
| One final thing...sit down with your friend and | | | | photographer, or venue sees themselves as |
| make a list of all those things that could or might | | | | providing a service satisfaction of your needs is |
| go wrong for you, not the guests or even the | | | | the center of their attention. Make sure also that |
| groom but for you. So what would you do if you | | | | they see themselves as a member of your team. |
| forgot your false eyelashes? Or you snagged | | | | That way they are much more likely to be |
| your dress on the door knob and oops does | | | | available to you from the day you decide to work |
| anybody have some thread? | | | | with them. There is one service provider that is |
| You get the idea... This kind of early anticipation | | | | definitely needs to have a team approach and |
| can make a major difference in your stress level | | | | that is your photographer. |
| on your day. | | | | WHY IS THE PHOTOGRAPHER SO IMPORTANT? |
| Tip 4: Use your priority list to help you choose | | | | As I said earlier the photographer touches every |
| your photographer | | | | part of a wedding and very often is the sole |
| Believe it or not, the photographer you select to | | | | determining factor effecting your memories of |
| photograph your wedding can make or break | | | | the day. A good photographer knows how and |
| your wedding day and not just your photographs. | | | | most importantly cares enough to keep |
| Because he will be there with you and your | | | | everything moving on schedule and to take |
| family, in person interacting with all your family | | | | charge when things start falling apart. How often |
| and guests. Every part of your wedding is | | | | have you been in a wedding and had to stand |
| touched by the photographer and her ability to | | | | around waiting with no idea of what is supposed |
| coordinate, and communicate amidst the | | | | to happen? |
| excitement and anxiety of one of the biggest | | | | You see, doing a really professional and thorough |
| days of your life. | | | | job requires a huge amount of planning, care, and |
| As you will see later, we are talking about how | | | | effort. A good photographer will work closely with |
| everything does or does not come together and | | | | you to set up a time line to make sure |
| how you remember your day based on the | | | | everything flows with ease. |
| emotions you were feeling. Your photographer | | | | A good service provider should meet with you as |
| determines this, by the way she helps you plan | | | | many times as needed to help you work out the |
| your wedding, the way she treats you and your | | | | details of your wedding especially your |
| family and friends, and the way she conducts | | | | photographer. She can help you get ready and |
| herself throughout the day. | | | | coach you with everything from your make-up to |
| So spend some time with your photographers, | | | | your dress. Most brides are planning their |
| pay attention to whether they are listening to | | | | weddings ALONE or nearly alone, it is not an easy |
| you, or if they are just pitching to you. That is | | | | job. That is were a good photographer will be |
| why it is important to know your style | | | | available to you to help with not only the photos |
| preferences ahead of time. Also, pay attention to | | | | but also be there to answer scheduling questions, |
| their personality and make sure there is a fit in | | | | event timing and generally moral support. Why? |
| that department as well. While the pictures are | | | | Because they know how much energy is required |
| important your ability to work with your | | | | to make sure your wedding turns out the way |
| photographer and her ability to hear your desires | | | | you dream of it. They also know that there |
| will make the difference between enjoying good | | | | comes a time in every bride's preparation when |
| memories of your wedding day or not. | | | | she just doesn't want to make decisions |
| One way to make help you figure this out is to | | | | anymore...and your photographer can help by |
| make sure at least one engagement session is | | | | knowing you so well that he can take some of |
| included in the photographer's services. To really | | | | that load off. |
| make a difference the engagement sessions | | | | That way you can relax and ENJOY every minute |
| should be at least an hour and not limited to | | | | of the day! |
| studio poses. Engagement sessions give you, your | | | | Tip 10: Feel good, Look good |
| guy and your photographer a chance to see how | | | | If you remember as a little girl when you started |
| each other works and to adjust accordingly. | | | | visualizing your wedding day you saw yourself |
| Tip 5: Help your photographer help you | | | | almost as a glowing princess radiating happiness |
| Ok so you have figured out what is important to | | | | and joy on your special day. However, let's go a |
| you in Tip #1 above. Now regardless of what you | | | | little deeper, your radiating beauty was there not |
| chose as a priority you probably still are going to | | | | because of your dress, your shoes or flowers but |
| have someone take photos. So this tip is very | | | | because of the feeling your got from the way |
| important for you to address early on and it is | | | | everything came together smoothly and |
| important because you are paying a lot of money | | | | reinforced your image. |
| for photographs of a very important day in your | | | | As I mentioned above most brides do their own |
| life. | | | | planning and often end up fried and frazzled by |
| Sit down with your photographer and talk about | | | | the time their big day arrives. Once again the |
| how best to use the photos of your wedding | | | | photographer is one of your strongest shoulders |
| AFTER your wedding. You read that right...you see | | | | to lean on, because they have to see the big |
| many brides pay thousands of dollars to have | | | | picture of your day in order to really capture it in |
| their wedding documented only to leave the CD | | | | a meaningful way. Most brides discover after their |
| or DVD containing those photos in a drawer...what | | | | wedding that when they hired a good |
| a waste! | | | | photographer what they were really hiring was a |
| A good photographer will not only help you with | | | | coordinator and supporter to be there when |
| the HOW part but also the WHO. And a good | | | | things inevitably start falling apart. They can offer |
| photographer will also not try to sell you | | | | a shoulder, a piece of advice or best of all they |
| something you may not need. Figure out if your | | | | can nip a potential problem in the bud. As strange |
| families will want photos and how they would like | | | | as it may seem a good photographer gets paid to |
| to use them. Also sit down with your guy and | | | | be there for you and the photographs are just an |
| talk about how and where you would like to use | | | | added bonus. |
| your photos. Here are some ideas: | | | | So, as a result of having everything coming |
| - Would your family like a wall collection or a single | | | | together and having someone there to handle |
| bridal portrait? | | | | those little disasters you feel good. That good |
| - Do you want album or are you more of stack | | | | feeling translates into relaxation which in turns |
| of photos do it yourself girl? | | | | reinforces and builds the beauty and joy you |
| - Do you have some empty walls that you are | | | | radiate! Your family and friends continually |
| saving for a collection of your favorite photos? | | | | complement you on your glow. And you have |
| - Holiday and Thank You cards can be a great | | | | happy memories to look back on. |
| use of wedding photos...knowing you want to use | | | | |