Weddingbee boards

I've been a professional photographer for about 3 years now. After reading through a few pages of questions and threads about confused brides and grooms, and insecurities about approaching photogs and contracts, I've decided to create an open thread for people to ask questions.

I'm not the authority on wedding photography, but I do know a slice of the industry, and I have a technical background as well, so I'd be happy to share my information with those of you who are having trouble.

Having gotten married myself just a year ago and seeing everything under the sun with Photography regarding a wedding, I've learned a few things that may be valuable to you - and I'll tell you honestly about the industry from the Photographer's point of view as well.

Good luck!

FutureMrsMorgan,

That's a tough question. Usually, low-res pictures are termed that way by the photographer to give the impression that they won't be able to produce quality prints out of. Instead, low-resolution usually find their way onto websites.

 Bare with me while I get a bit technical here...

A quality print is usually around 300 PPI/DPI. This means that in each inch, there are 300 tiny dots, or points of ink that make up the picture. Obviously, the higher the DPI, the smoother and better the prints will look. 

Typically in a magazine you will find at least 240 dpi, most likely 300 dpi, but some are using lower budgets and print with 150 dpi. Most pictures on a website however, are 72 dpi.

There is no way in knowing without more detail what size you will get, exactly, but usually low-res stands for something around 72 dpi, which is fine for e-mail, posting to the web.

There are other factors involved as well however, because the overall size of the image may vary as well. It's possible to have an 8x10 printed at 72dpi, but it will look extremely poor.

 I think that upgrading to High-res files is something that is important if you plan to do your own prints. Low res files are usually offered to people who are also ordering prints, and won't necessarily be needing to make their own prints from them. 

 The photographer's industry used to be structured on print sales, but now that digital is so accessible and people are becoming more tech savvy, selling the high-res versions of the pictures is the only way the photographer can survive. While it may be shocking to pay $1,500 and no be getting full-res digital files, the costs that are invovled in operating a business like this more than offset that cost, so charging more to sell the high-res files is a necessity if the client (you, in this case) is going to be using them to make prints and distribute them.

 Hopefully that answers a bit of your question. Overall though, unless you'd have to sell an organ to afford the extra $500, I'd professionally suggest you go ahead and upgrade and buy the high-res, because anything above a wallet print in a low-res file will look horrible, in most cases.

I would really consider a portrait or engagement shoot first. Don't go into the wedding without knowing the guy and what he can do, because you could be in for a BAD surprise.

Honestly, I hear many more people state they had problems with budget photographers than people who overcharged.

As Ted above mentioned, there is no realistic way for a photographer to remember names of people he just met, or who they are.

If you have a small wedding, chances are it will be easier, but the best solution is to find someone in your wedding party, say a bridesmaid or a groomsman, and tell them who needs to be where. Also, communicate this to the people in the pictures ahead of time, say at the rehearsal dinner, so that it's more obvious what's going to happen.

Putting a requirement for the amount of pictures is bad, because it will lead to poor quality images. Instead, just talk with your photographer and communicate to them that you'd like multiple poses/shots of each group, and maybe go over a few ideas you like. Don't get caught into managing the photographer, because it will be too stressful.

If you feel like you'll have to manage your photographer, consider if they're experienced enough. A good photog will know their way around a wedding a bit and understand what's going on, and will work with you ahead of time to keep you relaxed.

If you're still stressed, consider appointing someone as a "Photographer's Liason" so to speak. Hopefully find someone who knows everyone so they can quickly point out people for pictures instead of forcing your photographer to hunt people down.

in terms of shot list, it is really helpful for us to have one of "cant miss shots"....

however, you gotta e reasonable on the list, and if you're list is long, you gotta give us time to do it!  So don't plan on leaving only 45 minutes for bridal photos and expect 50 shots of various family friends and relatives....

and you should provide someone you trust and who knows all the people involved to gather them for us, otherwise, it is indeed a nightmare!

Br1,

It shouldn't matter. Unless your photographer is really really busy, and doing you a HUGE personal favor, don't feel "obligated" or scared about talking to them.

Just because photography can be viewed as art, doesn't give a company or a person the excuse not to run an efficient and well communicated business.

Give him a call, and maybe begin to think about alternate routes incase you don't hear back from him on time. If you've left your deposit, obviously you have more weighing on the communication, but if you can't get ahold of him/her, it could be a bad sign.

Overall, don't stress out. E-mail isn't a 100% professional or effective way to base all your communication. If you can't get him on the phone, make your decision from that point.

I also don't know about Vintage reel videography.

If you like the vintage look though, perhaps you'll find it something you cannot pass up. Ask for an example clip and make your choice from there.

As far as your bridal party pictures, most people like to try to do them after the ceremony. Sometimes we do some before and some after, depends mostly on time allowed, photographer's speed and comfort level, and how many people are involved. If you have a bit bridal party, managing 50-60 people with extended families included can get pretty confusing and difficult.

It's too difficult to give you a solid answer about what is enough time and when/where you should go. Talk to your photographer and maybe discuss your options. Perhaps you could do some individual family pictures before the wedding and the portraits with yourmother, but after the wedding walk offsite, shuffle people off to the reception, and return, or go to another location for your posed pictures. You don't want to be the first people at your own reception anyway, you have to make a grand entrance and have that moment captured as well!

i would hope you pick your photographer based on the fact you like his/her work....its unlikely they will want, or be able to, change their style, especially if they have been shooting a while

I'd have to agree with Darren on this one. As a professional, it can be somewhat annoying and conflicting to be given pictures and expected to copy them.

While I understand the love certain people have for photographs, I think that instead of looking for someone who would be willing to match a certain style you had in mind, it's better to just look for a photographer who already uses that style.

That being said, maybe look through THEIR pictures and find images you like and would like to replicate or take inspiration from. Obviously, know what you like, but you won't be putting your photog in a great situation if you give him a look to replicate.

This is different in commercial photography, and some pros can do this with events/weddings/sports and other, uncontrolled situations, but your results will vary.

Future Mrs Martin,

Time is something that is entirely up to the photographer. It depends how large your bridal party is, how many pictures he or you expect to get from those events, and travel time between locales.

If you're all located together, it could be as fast as 10-15 minutes. A lot of ours are candid, so we don't need particular time set aside for any of that.

Occasionally though, after the prep/during stages we may ask for a quick pose over int he corner of a room, but that normally doesn't take too long.

It varies with photographers.