So You Want A Photographer

When looking for a photographer for your wedding check them out. Do they have a webite, a postal address and samples ? Can they visit you in your home to show samples ? Do you know anyone who has booked them before ? How many weddings a year do they attend ? Are they insures ? A member of one of the professional Trade bodies in their profession ? Will the person you see and talk to be taking the photographs ? Are the samples you are being shown the photographers' products. Many now use aprinters sample book and if you are not aware of this you could be booking a total amateur.These are the sort of things you need to know. Don't be silly enough to book with a friend or relative who took some nice shots at Christmas. There is a lot to good wedding photography and too many people end up in despair when it is too late......So now you booked a photographer and the wedding day is approaching. Tell your gusts to turn their phones off at the venue or church. Have an usher at the door to remind people.Tell guests not to take photographs during the service as many cameras will fire off a flash and disrupt the service. Professionals rarely use flash in the church for this very reason.Tell your guests you have a proper professional photographer being paid to take the photographs and they need to refrain from following him/her about like a band of papparrazzi. The Bride and Groom can.t pay them all attention and will be looking all over the place and ruin the professionals' concentration. There will be plenty of time for guest "happy snaps" as the day goes on. Two weeks before the wedding supply the photographer with any special requests you have. Don't give them a list on the day. Both Bride and photographer need to plan the work to be done on the day and make sure all have enough time to do what is rewuired. And make sure all FULL addresses of all venues are supplied well in advance. If a venue, church or address is out of the way supply maps to all suppliers. How many weddings take place with no flowers being delivered on time because the florist was not given a correct post code. Check on all suppliers to see if they have all the information they require and are in fact STILL in business. Have an usher phone the venue when you leave for the reception from the church. This gives them warning that the wedding party is on the way and the champagne and canapes will be at the door to greet you.
Having been in business for many years I have seen everything from a Best Man collapse at the ring ceremony ( due to a busy night the night before) to Brides not having a car due to breakdown and the rings which were entrusted to the Best Man being left in the taxi now long gone. So prepare for everything. Make sure everyone is kept in the loop. And then above all just enjoy the day and go through it with happiness and good nature. After all once the day arrives there isn't a lot anyone can do to change things so go along with the swell....You can see my work at www.billbowman.co.uk

By Bill Bowman
Bill Bowman – Bill Bowman Photography

www.billbowman.co.uk