You and your partner will undoubtedly want to look back on your wedding album from time to time to remind yourselves of your special day. This is why you’ll understandably want to make it look as perfect as possible. With that said, here are six things to keep in mind in order to improve the quality of your wedding photos.
1. Photography Equipment
You'll want to make sure that your wedding photographer has all the necessary gear to capture the best set of wedding photos they can. A good photographer will know his or her camera inside out and will therefore be able to get the most out of it.
Before you agree to hire a photographer, you should know what type of camera and equipment they’re working with and how long they have they been using it for. This will give you a better idea of how skilled and experienced they are.
2. Lighting
Lighting is one of the most essential elements of photography. It’s the aspect of the craft that can create feeling and story through the colours, shadows, and effects. You want to make sure that you set a general theme for your photographer. This will help them understand what you expect from them.
For example, you might prefer the wedding album to have a sepia overtone, an effect which is strongest at dusk. Your photographer should do a lot of research and practice with different light settings to make sure that they get the effects you’re looking for.
3. Framing
Lighting and framing go hand-in-hand with one another. They are both part of the art of composition, which is integral to taking the perfect photograph. Framing is something that the photographer has to keep in mind before they take any photo. You want to have some idea of how framing works so that you can direct your photographer a little bit. When you’re trying to communicate with the photographer about the effects you want to see, make sure that you elaborate your ideas with non-abstract terms.
For example, it will be a huge waste of time if you keep telling your photographer to “capture your best angle.” This doesn’t give them a lot of information to work with. Instead, try to point to the landmarks that you want them to include in the shot. That’s a lot easier to understand, and the photographer can express their artistic skills by taking the photo from different angles. It’s a win-win for both parties.
4. Posing
A good wedding photographer will know how to work with their subject. Everybody has a good angle, and sometimes those angles are hidden in how they act, not how they pose. Your photographer should experiment with candid shots, profile shots, and different expressions to find the perfect angles that genuinely capture your personality and emotions. The best types of wedding photos tend to be the more natural and organic ones.
5. Backup Files
Digital technology allows us to do many things with the information we have. A good photographer should take advantage of this. Cloud-based data storage allows your photographer to back up picture files directly from their camera to a digital database. It’s essential that they do this often, as you want to minimise the likelihood of losing any photos. The margin for error of cloud-based storage space is very low.
6. Personal Style
Like every other type of artist, a photographer has their own style and personality. The best sets of wedding photos are very often ones where the photographer’s style is put on display. You want them to express themselves within your boundaries. It’s important therefore to establish a common ground early in your relationship so that they know how to work with you in the future.
Natural & Professional Wedding Photos
Are you looking for a wedding photographer to capture your special day? Lee Hawley is a highly experienced photographer and can capture stunning photos for you. Why not get in touch with him today to see how he can help make your big day even more memorable?