Why You Need a Wedding Photographer

Now that many people have smart phones with great cameras or fancy cameras, it might seem a waste of money to hire a professional photographer. Why need one when the web is populated with amazing candid Instagram photographs?  Well, unlike other DIY aspects like baked goods or a music playlist, it's not something that can be planned ahead. While I'm not saying that the collective effort of your guests can't create a fantastic number of photographs, it might not be as complete as someone who's job was taking photographs. Although this might not be a big deal at the moment, you might really want a photographic record five, ten, twenty years down the line.

Sharing Wedding Photos

Even though you've hired a wedding photographer, your guests are going to take a ton of photos and a lot of them will be brilliant. How are you going to share these gems? While your guests can mail or email their favorites, here are a few tricks for everyone to share in the bounty.

Destination Wedding Photography

If you're having a destination wedding, there may be extra considerations that you need to take when hiring a wedding photographer. You can either hire a photographer and pay for his or her travel fees, or you can hire a local photographer. Both come with their own pros and cons.

Photography Do's and Don'ts

I love black and white photography. It's artistic, moody, and atmospheric, but I'm not sure I would want my wedding to be entirely in black and white photography. There are moments when black and white photography are great.

5 Interview Questions for Wedding Photographers

Finding a wedding photography is often a subjective experience. It's about finding someone who "feels" right and that you can work with, but there are also several objective qualifications he or she has to meet. Here are five questions to see if this photographer meets your practical requirements!

5 Engagement Shoot Ideas

Do you have a flair for the dramatic? Then you and your fiancé might want to enact a romantic fantasy. Perhaps it's a page taken out of Casablanca or the Princess Bride or The Great Gatsby.

Themed Engagement Shoot

Unlike the typical styled portrait shoots, its really important to incorporate elements of your story into the engagement shoot, such as the first meeting, any relationship history that they appreciate.

Taking Great Pictures

Photographer and writer William Albert Allard has been an impressive force in mainstream photography. Most well-known for his work in National Geographic, his photos are almost always compelling.

Photo Faux Pas

Wedding photographers take several shots of each portrait, but all too often, someone still has closed eyes. Or even worse, the dreaded sleepy half-opened eyes.

How to Look Thinner in Photographs

Everyone has heard of the expression, the camera adds ten pounds. Here are some tips to look sleek and slim in your wedding photographs.

The Wedding Kiss

There are few things that make you feel as warm and fuzzy as a wedding kiss. There are several different kisses during a wedding from demure pecks to passionate stolen kisses. Here is a list of our favorites.

Five Shots To Take

We've covered the shots that you have to take for your wedding: the portraits, the cake cutting, the first dance, etc. Here is our list of shots that aren't part of the wedding photography canon, but are so memorable that they might soon well be!

Picture Perfect Smile

We learn how to smile when we're babies, but sometimes our photo-smiles come across as fake or lifeless. Here are some tips on perfecting a paparazzi-worthy smile.

Red Carpet Tips

It's been one week since the Golden Globes and we've learned a ton about photo tips from watching hits and misses on the red carpet.

8 Photo Taking Tips

1. Practice makes perfect! Study your face and figure out the best smile (or maybe you like your serious face better) and examine yourself from all angles. Check out how you look facing the camera, three quarters, and profile pics.

Inspirational Photography Quotes

Whether you're a professional photographer or a wedding guest with a nice camera, it always pays to gain a little inspiration from the greats like Elliot Erwitt and Henri Cartier- Bresson. This group of men and women were and are not only amazing photographers, but also thinkers and visionaries.

Who Photographed the Royal Wedding?

Did you know London photographer Hugo Burnand, photographed the royal wedding party Throne Room at Buckingham Palace? While the fact that he managed to do the shoot in 26 minutes may speak volumes at his photography prowess, how did Mr. Burnand actually get the gig? Burnand won his first photography competition at age 7 and has covered other high profile weddings such as the marriage of His Royal HIghness The Prince of Wales to The Duchess of Cornwall in 2005. I bet they gave him an excellent recommendation.

History of Wedding Photography

Wedding photographs are an agonizing process already, but did you know that back in the days of early photography, people had to hold a pose over a minute? Early daguerreotypes, a photographic process that captures an image onto a silver coated copper plate, took sixty to ninety seconds to capture an image and the sitters had to stay very still for a crisp image. Due the amount of equipment needed, these photographs were often taken in studios where the photographer could rig up vises to hold one's limbs in place. Imagine wearing a big pouffy dress and trying not to blink!

Five Inspiring Photography Quotes

In photography, the smallest thing can be a great subject. The little, human detail can become a Leitmotiv.

Meme-Inspired Photography

After tearing myself from Ryan Gosling memes -- he's so sexy in Crazy, Stupid, Love, I sat down to write down this photography article but I couldn't stop thinking about memes. Many of them are darkly funny, but the recent Ryan Gosling ones are adorable and cute.

Five Photo Don'ts

Both these kinds of makeup pick up and reflect light. While a good photographer won't make you washed out or ashy, the legions of guests with point and shoot cameras may catch you in an unflattering light.

5 Reasons to Appoint a Photo Assistant

Wedding portraits are probably the most difficult part of the wedding logistically. Herding people is much like herding cats...almost impossible. So much can go wrong, which is why you should appoint a guest or two to make things go smoothly.

Why does Wedding Photography Take so Long

A wedding album can arrive weeks and even months after the wedding. Why does it take so long? What are the wedding photographers doing? The common misconception about wedding photographers is that they spend most of their time taking pictures. I mean, it makes sense. A photographer is one who photographs, right? Wrong.

Engagement Photography Outfits

What do you wear to your engagement photo session? Luckily, most photographers will let you go through a few costume changes. Perhaps you want a few casual or quirky ones for your Save-the-date cards and the wedding website, and a formal picture to send to relatives. Perhaps you’ve decided to incorporate photos into the wedding décor or guestbook.

Wedding Photographer Interview

Engagement Photography Session Makeup

If there are any guys out there reading this who are about to pop the question, buy these products for your girlfriend or somehow persuade her to wear them so when you propose, she'll be looking her best.

Wedding Portraits with Children

The kids (for the most part) have just sat through the ceremony and now it’s portrait time. It seems almost cruel to let them move for a few minutes just to make them be still again. Although it should not take you longer than five to ten minutes per photo that is the maximum amount of time you’ll be able to get a toddler to sit still.

Unusual Portraits For Your Engagement or Wedding

How Much is Too Much For Wedding Photography?

After the cake has been eaten, the flowers have wilted, the wedding dress hung up and the honeymoon is round tripped, all is said done, most of the time you are only left with images of your wedding to help you remember all the memories, emotions, laughter, tears and joy. But how much are you willing to spend on wedding photography? This is a great question. Wedding photography prices can range anywhere from $1500 to over $7,000.

Engagement Photos

The purpose of the wedding photographer is pretty straightforward. But what are engagement photos? These are photographs taken before your wedding to help document this chapter of your life. Months before you even buy your wedding dress, you can post these photos on Facebook or on a blog as a way to celebrate your engagement (or show off the ring). You can submit them to a newspaper that runs wedding announcements. Most importantly, you can show them to your children and grandchildren one day.

The First Look Debate

The First Look is a photo session that captures the bride and groom seeing each other for the first time before the ceremony. It usually shows the groom's reaction to seeing his bride in her wedding dress. This usually results in photographs that are private, romantic, and often emotional.

Wedding Photobooths

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of photobooths? Carnivals? Malls? Funny faces? Well, how about weddings? You know photobooths, they are the vending machines of photos; there is a bench inside that is designed to seat two people, it is also automated, with a camera and film processor and within 2-4 minutes your pictures are developed and it spits out the strip of 4-5 pictures.

Street Photography

Street photography is a type of documentary photography that features people and objects in candid situations within public places such as streets, parks, shopping centers, and political settings. Street photography uses the techniques of "straight photography" in that it attempts to hold up a mirror to society. While it often has the reputation of being ironic and critical, it can also be poignant, personal, and rich in metaphor.

Digital Versus Film Wedding Photography

In reality, in the hands of a great photographer, the end result of digital and film is identical to the naked eye. In situations with good lighting, both kinds will be crisp, full of contrast, and do justice to your wedding dress. Visually, the difference becomes apparent in bad lighting situations.

Photo Free Zones At Your Wedding

Museums, aquariums, and historic buildings have become increasingly popular as places to tie the knot. They are often much more affordable than hotel reception halls, but did you know that many forbid photography in certain areas? Before you book the museum where you and your fiancé first met, be aware that you may not get to have photo in front of the oil painting where you fell in love.

Crying in Your Wedding Photographs

Weddings are extremely joyous occasions. Not only are you celebrating the union of two people, but often times it is one of those few occasions when the entire family gets together. Friends who have been scattered across the country may see each other for the first time in years. And, of course, you have also been planning this for months. It's natural for emotions to run high, to shed a few tears out of happiness or nostalgia.

Is the Wedding Album Out of Date?

Tips For You and Your Amateur Photographer

Photojournalism

Before hiring a wedding photographer that you trust, it will be easy to narrow down the photographer if you know what you want beforehand. It’s recommended to look around on the Internet and understand the many different styles of wedding photography to choose from. Among the many, photojournalism has become a popular trendy choice.

The Advantages of Black and White Photography

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that you will have several photographers at your wedding. There will be the guy that you hired and an army of guests with their point-and-shoots, fancy SLRs, and smart phones. How do you distinguish your wedding album from the rest?

The Wedding Music Video

Whether is meant to be shown at the wedding or placed on your wedding website a month later, the wedding music video is the latest technological development that couples are embracing. Contrary to what most people think, you don't have to actually sing in it. You can always dance, though a wedding gown might not be the best attire for this choice. A lot of music pros stare moodily into the distance as ghostly vocals play, but it’s often hilarious if you do sing, especially if you can get your parents and guests to participate. Make a set of cue cards on poster board, cue the music, and get a few takes. This is a great activity for the videographer to arrange while you’re taking your wedding portraits.

Tips for a Photogenic Wedding

A bride’s worries sometimes seem never-ending. The last thing a bride wants to worry about is how she looks in the hundreds of pictures being taken that day. Of course, putting your best face forward is not only achievable but easy as well. Here are some helpful tips in order to be your most photogenic self on your big day.

The Top 5 Wedding Photographers of 2011

For many years, traditional wedding photography has been stiff and formulated. But recently there has been an uprising of couples who want to ditch the traditional and make their own rules. Individuality is now key when it comes to wedding photography. Although you still want/need those mantel pictures that grandma would be proud to display, that doesn’t mean you need to lose the artistic creativity that you and your partner have decided on. Thus, enlisting a photographer that can go the distance with your creative vision is very important.

Making a Wedding Picture Comic Strip

One of the things you'll hear over and over and over again while planning your wedding is the importance of telling your own story. Well, a picture is worth a thousand words. What better way then through a comic strip! It’s practically a novel. Think of the photo stories in your favorite magazines and bridal blogs and simple and classic layout of the Sunday comics. The wedding comic strip is somewhere in between.

Polaroid Weddings

For couples looking to go old school and creative on their weddings, using Polaroid cameras at their wedding is a cool idea that can be fun for the whole wedding. We all remember Polaroid cameras, those instant squared photographs that, after the photo has been taken, the camera spits out the squared photograph and it develops instantly, appealing to and appeasing any instant gratification. The photos naturally have a vintage element to them and you don't have to be a professional photographer to get great pics. It's also complementary to people's complexions and features, especially in low light and natural light settings.

How to Use Photographs for Invites, Decor and More

It can take months to get your wedding photos from your photographer. Make sure you get a due date as part of your contract. Instead of receiving all your photographs at the end, make wedding photography a part of your experience from start to finish.

Picture-Perfect Memories

How do you imagine the perfect photo of the perfect kiss? Will it be an image of your first kiss as a married woman? Or a candid shot of a secret peck on the dance floor? A tight, intimate shot of your heads with everything thing else out of focus? Or do you want the picture to include your wedding dress, train and all?

Engagement Photos

An engagement photo shoot is an integral part of the whole wedding experience. This photo shoot allows you to get accustomed to being in front of the camera before the big day. An engagement photo shoot also helps you get to know your wedding photographer.

Engagement Photo Settings

The logistics of an engagement photo shoot can be tedious and time consuming. But it’s worth it. These are photos that you will truly treasure for decades to come. So don’t shy away from this important task. And it all starts with location.

Engagement Photos

The purpose of the wedding photographer is pretty straightforward. But what are engagement photos? These are photographs taken before your wedding to help document this chapter of your life. Months before you even buy your wedding dress, you can post these photos on Facebook or on a blog as a way to celebrate your engagement (or show off the ring). You can submit them to a newspaper that runs wedding announcements. Most importantly, you can show them to your children and grandchildren one day.

The Engagement Shoot

Engagement photos are the set of professionally shot images taken before your wedding day. These are incredibly personal photos that you’re bound to treasure for a lifetime (as well as plaster all over Facebook for years to come). They tend to feel more intimate and fun than the formal wedding shots because the images are more casual. There is more flexibility in the tone, dress and location.

The Wedding Portraits

The formal shoot requires that your entire wedding party and family are in the same place at the same time, looking their best and smiling big. If that sounds like a logistical nightmare, it’s because it is. Here are tips on how to tackle it.

Wedding Photos 101

Picking the right photographer means more than finding a professional that’s local, affordable and available. It means learning a bit about photography itself. Most wedding photographers are adept at one of two styles: traditional portraiture or photojournalism. A photographer who works in one style will produce radically different images than a photographer who works in the other style, even if they’re at the same wedding.

Wedding Videography 101

In wedding planning circles, videography is hotly debated. Some brides simply must have a video record of the wedding, while others resent the intrusion of another camera. Whether or not you want a wedding video is entirely up to you, your partner and your budget. A videographer, unlike a still photographer, is not a “requirement.” It’s considered a bonus add-on. But 30 years down the line, after your daughter gets engaged, you may want to show her this special DVD (assuming DVD players are still around).

Wedding Photography Styles

Photography has always been an important component of a wedding. Who doesn’t want this day captured and cherished for many years to come? With its ever-growing popularity, couples now have a myriad of options to choose from. So, what to choose? To make it easier, we have outlined some of the most popular wedding photo styles today.

Point and Shoot

Wedding Photography

You've spent months planning every last detail of you special day, so why not spend some time to make sure that your photographs will immortalize your wedding the way you want it.

Trash The Dress

An increasingly popular trend we are seeing among brides and grooms involves a "trash the dress" ceremonial photo shoot. This is where the bride takes her pristine wedding dress and essentially, destroys it. This creates artwork that be displayed in the home, in many cases, right next to the wedding photos. These sessions are usually shot in the style of fashion or glamour photography.