Wedding Photography Tips #30; Slow Down

It probably is cliche to say, ‘it goes by in a blink.’  But it is so true.  There’s only a few times in your life you plan and plan and plan for one day, just to have it go by in a blur.  Is it all the anticipation?  Is it just your expectations?  I learned a long time ago that when things are going really well to stop, look around and take a mental picture of what I see.  It helps you remember memories a little better.  I have a memory from my Europe trip several years back where I did this.  I was on a the deck of a ferry on my way to Greece.  The sun was setting over the sea, the smell of salt and wine was in the air.  I remember feeling so incredibly blessed to be doing such an amazing trip, I had my future husband at my side and everything just felt right.  I took a deep breath and thanked the Lord for being able to experience such a sense of peace.

I did the same thing twice during our wedding.  I stopped looked around and just watched what was going on around me.  All these people there to support us.  I’ve never felt more loved.  I always tell me clients to stop and breath during their wedding day.  It brings everything into perspective and helps to slow down the day just a little bit.

Wedding Photography Tips #28; Don’t be afraid to touch and snuggle.

Call it what you like but it all goes back to the same thing.  Touch, snuggle and be smitten.  This is one of the few times in your life you’ll have someone documenting your every move.  So use it to tell the world how much you’re in love.  How much your partner means to you.  I can’t stress it enough.

Wedding Photography Tips #27; Be Smitten

I think this comes more naturally to some couples then others.  But I think it’s really important part of what I do as a wedding photographer.  I want couples smitten, enthralled, infatuated with each other.  I work so that couples forget I’m there and they’re totally in their own little world.  Loving every moment they have to spend with each other.  And I think most photographers would love a couple that snuggles, touches and is just completely enamored in their partner.

This couple isn’t the bride and groom but they are totally smitten with each other.  They had no idea I was even there.  That is what I think makes amazing, powerful and emotional photos.

Wedding Photography Tips #25; Designing My Album

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  I can’t believe it’s Christmas already.  2010 is just about over.

So who puts these albums together?  I offer clients the opportunity to choose their favorite photos, around 50.  From that I design the album myself.  Some photographers will out source this set, it depends if they album design is easy or hard for them.  It’s always good to know your strengths and weaknesses.   I personally enjoy it and it doesn’t take me more then a couple hours to put one together.   I then send the client a PDF of the design so they can make any changes before it’s send to print.  Most album company’s do the printing and binding in house.  Once it’s send to print it can take up to 8-10 weeks for the photographer to receive the album then deliver it to you.  I still have yet to figure out why exactly it takes so long to print and bind, maybe I should tour a factory?  But the time is pretty universal across the industry.

When you’re interviewing your photographer take time to look at the layouts in their albums.  Does it excite you?  Do like the white space, or the back grounds they’re using?  Does it feel they are enough photos to tell the story of your day?  What about covers, do you like the options they offer?  Not to say you should make a decision on who’s going to shoot your wedding based on they’re album.  But it could be a tie breaker if you’re struggling between two.

Just 6 more tips to go!