Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Photography
Your wedding day is one of the most important events in your life.
Whether you’re planning an intimate event or the wedding of the decade, certain factors should absolutely be taken into consideration. From the venue and floral arrangements, to food, drinks and decor, there is much to be considered! One of the most important vendors that should absolutely be taken into consideration, is your photographer.
Before you know it, your wedding day will come and go in the blink of an eye. But what truly lasts forever, is pictures from the big day. With this being said, let’s take a closer look at the importance of wedding photography, important factors to consider when booking a photographer and everything else you will need to know!
Let’s get started.
The Importance of Wedding Photography
When it comes to your wedding day, each decision you make should be done with notable consideration. If you’re considering hiring a photographer for your special day, it can be helpful to first understand the importance behind this major decision.
Preserve Your Memories
From the jaw-dropping outfits and stunning floral arrangements, to the way that you and your forever person look at each other with love and admiration, your wedding photographer can help you to preserve these special moments.
As you grow old together, you can look back fondly to your wedding day by simply opening up your photo album.
Remember the Little Things
Your first dance.
The wedding cake.
A special toast.
Laughter and tears.
Your wedding day offers the perfect opportunity to truly celebrate your love. Whether it be the maid of honor fixing your veil or a toast from the father of the groom, your photographer is there to help you remember the little things throughout your day.
Especially once you consider how much happens in one single day!
Capture the Details
Your wedding day is the result of countless days of preparation. After all of the hard work put into your special day, you should absolutely be able to remember every little detail for many years to come.
Your photographer is committed to visually capturing not only the most memorable and important details from the day, but also the little moments that might otherwise be forgotten!
Share With Loved Ones
From future children to new friendships and everyone in between, I can think of no better way to share memories from your wedding day than with pictures. Not only can you share these special moments with loved ones, but they will have them to cherish for many years to come.
Celebrate Your Love, Again and Again!
Feeling nostalgic? Celebrating an anniversary?
It’s time to pull out the wedding album!
As you sit together and reflect on your wedding day, you can reminisce about the most special moments and truly celebrate your love all over again.
The Different Styles of Wedding Photography
As you research local photographers in your area, it’s important to understand that there are different kinds of wedding photography. While many photographers offer a combination of different styles, others may only offer one.
Immerse yourself in the different kinds of wedding photography and identify which styles speak to you the most. Once you have an idea of your personal preference, finding the best photographer for your wedding will come much easier!
Traditional Style
Staged approach with pre-determined poses
Prompts to help you pose accordingly
Directions and organization from the photographer
May follow a shot list
Candid Style
Follows a more spontaneous approach
Captures people and emotions naturally
Minimal prompts and direction from the photographer
“Go with the flow” atmosphere
The style of photography that you move forward with will really depend on your personal preferences! If you thrive on a schedule and organization, traditional photography may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer to live in the moment and “go with the flow”, a candid approach may better suit your needs!
Booking Your Wedding Photographer
Once you have identified the style of photography that best suits your needs, it’s time to find your wedding photographer! Many resources are available to you, from social media networks and word of mouth, to wedding vendor websites, search engines and more!
When booking your wedding photographer, here are the most important considerations:
Location - Do they offer photography services in your area?
Cost - Do their services fall within your budget?
Experience - How much wedding photography experience do they have?
Testimonials - Have past clients left positive or negative reviews?
Approach - Do they offer the style of photography that you prefer?
Portfolio - Do you enjoy the images in their portfolio?
Once you have found a photographer that checks every box, it’s time to begin the booking process! The best first step is to get in touch with them, which may be over social media, their website, or even email.
Once you have touched base with the photographer, they may suggest booking an introductory call to help you learn more about their services and process. This will really help to establish that they are the right photographer for you!
From there, the photographer may ask for a deposit to hold the date, ask you to sign a contract or even want to meet in person. Once you have booked the photographer for your wedding, you will be provided with an opportunity to discuss details, ask questions and touch base about the big day!
Questions to Ask Your Photographer
To help ensure that you and your photographer are on the same page, there are a number of questions that you may want to ask. This will help to ensure an informed and seamless approach to your special day!
What Should We Expect on Our Wedding Day?
Your wedding photographer can provide you with an idea of what you can expect for your photography on the big day.
From what time they will arrive and depart, to the parts of the day they plan to capture, you will be provided with an overview of what the day will look like from the photographer's point of view.
What Does Your Payment Process Look Like?
It’s imperative that you establish the payment process as soon as possible. This can help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that your budget can be planned accordingly.
How Many Hours Are Included in Our Package?
Based on the package that you select, a certain number of hours may be included within your wedding photography services. Not only is it important to establish these hours, but also plan a start and finish time for the photographer.
What is the Estimated Delivery Date for Photos?
Once your wedding day has come and gone, the best way to reminisce on the day is through photos! While you may be eager for your photos to be delivered, good things take time.
By establishing an estimated delivery date for your wedding photo gallery, you can adjust your expectations accordingly. You may also want to ask if your photographer offers a “sneak peek” service, where a small selection of photos are delivered within a couple days of the wedding.
Will the Photos Be Professionally Edited?
The answer to this question should always, always, always be: Yes!
Not only will your wedding photographer take time to review and cull your photos, selecting the absolute best ones from the day, but they will also professionally edit them, too!
Their editing process may or may not include:
Removing blemishes, imperfections or distractions in the background
Enhancing the contrast, color correction, exposure, and more
Cropping the image to improve the composition and final result
Add variety with a combination of color and black and white images
Professional editing can help to enhance your photos, with a personal touch from the photographer. This is where their style can really shine, setting them apart from other local wedding photographers!
Explore Wedding Photographers in Birmingham, Alabama
Are you considering hiring a photographer for your wedding?
From Birmingham and Huntsville, to Atlanta and throughout Nashville, you can depend on the experience and dedication that is synonymous with Bryant Studio. You will be provided with a memorable experience on your wedding day, one that is committed to integrity, excellence and fun!
For more information about our wedding photography services in Birmingham and throughout Alabama, contact us today!
