Wedding Photography | Best Wedding Photographer Directory | ISPWP

Today’s guest article was written by Jason Pierce-Williams of AJ Williams Photography, a London, UK Wedding Photographer and ISPWP member.

Wedding Photojournalism – It’s a Long Story

Wedding photography is a tricky business. It is virtually unique among the various services which make up the wedding industry insofar as it is, on the one hand, arguably the most important service which a couple will engage, and on the other, the one service about which clients may understand relatively little.

I stress the importance of photography as a service for fairly pragmatic reasons; after all, flowers do die, cakes and meals do get eaten, even the more enduring dress will usually be worn once and once only; and all the attendant experiences – fun, romantic, emotional, beautiful – all are ephemeral and all, apart from what remains in the human mind as memory, will simply vanish unless, of course, you have the photographs.

With regards to the second point about a client’s knowledge of photography, this is a slightly more complex matter, particularly in today’s rapidly changing industry and the attendant shifts in expectations. Put simply however, photography is once again unique since it is the only service which is pretty much sold to a client on the minimum of pre-knowledge and the maximum level of faith. I’m not suggesting for one minute that the majority of clients are at all ignorant of the impact and varying aesthetics of photography, but it does remain, unfortunately and quite often disappointingly, the one service which requires the most salesmanship and negotiation, where in fact it would be better for everyone if it required none at all. After all, and without wishing to appear too stereotypical, choosing a dress is a task with which a bride will be familiar, confident and comfortable.

The same goes, to a certain extent, for flowers, cakes, venues, Djs or bands, in fact most if not all of the other services involved in the wedding industry. Furthermore, a wedding client is not choosing from examples of a product but with the actual, more or less physical product itself. It is these levels of combined experience and confidence and hands-on prejudgment of a product which makes these services relatively straightforward to choose. But wedding photography, as I have already suggested, is very different.

But it was not always so, and in a sense it is this shift in trends and expectations that lies at the heart of the issues we face today. The explosion in exponents and popularity of so-called photojournalism and reportage wedding photography has dramatically and irreversibly rattled the cage of photographic practice and client expectations. Unfortunately for many, however, this has not led to an attendant explosion of true understanding and appreciation of what photojournalism and reportage actually mean or involve. The point here, perhaps, is that a client will always give themselves a better chance of satisfaction, if not delight, if they are informed and very clear in their own minds about what they actually want and expect from a service.

The obvious stumbling block here, as already suggested, is that in most other cases (apart from photography) this information and clarity of thought has already been firmly established through the simple everyday exigencies and pleasures of human experience (choosing clothes, tastes in music, food and location being the main players in this context). Photography, and photojournalism in particular, is not an area of experience in which many clients will normally have had such experience, knowledge and, by extension, confidence to make a successful, well-informed choice. Wedding photography is thus, for many clients, a fairly loose, abstract set of ideas and expectations informed by little more than a select set of images – it is, in short, a construct.

The answer to this issue, if there is one, is twofold, and the responsibility rests largely at the feet of the client. Firstly, it is up to the clients to really stop and consider just what part and importance photography really plays in their event. The tendency may be to simply consider it as just another service, another box to be ticked and another part of the budget to be successfully negotiated. And for some this is indeed, and quite reasonably, the case. But for those who desire a true, enduring and meaningful record of an event, which in many respects is the raison d’etre of the entire photographic enterprise in the first place, then they have to look way, way beyond the ticking of (quite often) media controlled boxes and penny counting.

Of course budget is a factor for most of us but photography, for reasons already indicated, ought to be at the top of the client’s priorities, not languishing around the bottom, which in terms of relative expense, it nearly always is. And this makes it all the more crucial for a client to make the correct decision which can only really be done if they develop their own understanding and appreciation of photojournalism, and not just photojournalism in the context of weddings but photojournalism as a free standing enterprise; in just the same way that a bride may have developed an instinctive feel for material and a deep understanding of what designs, colours and even bespoke alterations will help her choice in the perfect garment for a specific event, so wedding clients need, in my opinion at least, to take time out to research and develop an appreciation of photojournalistic photography.

For photography is a creative medium like any other and just as fashion and gourmet cooking has its shining stars, so does photojournalism, and clients, if they are to take control of the decision which they make, should familiarise themselves and develop personal opinions about these icons of photojournalism, past and present, in just the same way that they are familiar with and have tastes, preferences and opinions about the exponents of all the other trades and services which will play a part in their wedding.

In the end, it is all about developing your own construct – your own personal set of ideas, preferences and opinions – rather than having one sold to you. For me, as a photojoiurnalist, the ‘perfect’ photograph, if there is such a thing, will include a little of the impeccable composition and artistry of Cartier-Bresson, with a dash of the aggression and spontaneity of Ben Shan and Robert Capa, but always with that narrative – at any level, oblique or overt – which is integral to the very word and practice of true photojournalism.

And this is a crucial point, for photojournalsim is not about randomly tilting one’s camera at a 45 degree angle when there is, apparantly, absolutely no reason for doing so, or any of the other devices which have unfortunately, become such misleading markers for this style of photography. No. Photojournalism is precisley what the word imples – a photographic journal, both in terms of having a chronological set of images about a specific event, but more importantly perhaps, implying or suggesting a narrative within the image itself.

Wedding photography should, and very often does (depending on the photographer of course) lend itself perfectly to genuine photojournalism. It is, after all, an event packed with emotional charge, local culture as defined by tradition and ritual, a showcase of sartorial elegance, imagination and, hopefully, extravagance and, of course, includes a very large splash of adults and kids simply doing what they do. A wedding, in short, is a true photojournalist’s dream, and that should be reflected in the photography.

Having made all these comments and observations about photojournalism and how it relates to successful wedding photography I should, perhaps, end with another piece of solid, accessible advice, and that is; whenever you begin to think about choosing a wedding photographer, if indeed true photojournalism is the stye which you are after, and also given that you have done enough ‘extra-curricular’ research to develop an understanding and appreciation – preferences even – of what photojournalism actually means, then you should always insist on being shown an entire wedding.

It may sound excrutiating to sit through someone else’s event but it is a necessary discomfort, for this is really the only way that one can gauge the true competence and consistent commitment of any photogapher who calls themselves a photojournalist. After all, any photographer, quite reasonably, will showcase their best and most exciting work on their websites, but glorious as many of these images may be they do not, quite literally, tell the whole story. For while it may be great to have a selection of spectacular images, this does not necessarily mean that they will be particularly enduring. A good photographer may supply a mixture of the two. A great photojournalist will have the commitment, skill and passion for his craft to at least try and pull off the combination every time.

So do look at whole weddings, for this is the only way that you can make any sort of decision about whether or not the photographer is at all proficient in the product which he or she is trying to sell to you being an enduring, meaningful and, above all, true photo story of your day. After all, a wedding is not a fashion shoot or a passport photo booth; it is a whirlwind of fun, tears, laughter, romance and many other of the warmer, more noble and endearing human responses and emotions all packed into a few short, ephemeral hours of your life. So what if the cake was a bit over-sugared or the band had an off night or the bouquet didn’t match your dress; these, again, are ephemeral irrelevances that will rapidly fade into nothing.

But the only way one can ensure that the overall memories of the day do not also vanish into thin air is through consistent, committed and authentic photojournalism. And it’s up to the client to discover precisely what this is.

Wedding Photographer Contact Information:

Jason Pierce-Williams, AJ Williams Photography, London, UK Wedding Photographer

Website: AJ Williams Photography | Email: info@ajwilliamsphotography.co.uk | Phone: 07723306565

Looking for the best wedding photography for your wedding? Check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory for photographers serving your area.

The holidays are over, which means it’s bridal show season! Why? Because the holidays are a popular time for guys to (finally) get down on one knee and propose. If all went according to plan, that means a lot of newly engaged couples are about to descend upon their local bridal show to check out their local vendors, including wedding photographers.

There’s no shortage of advice online that give you the questions you need to ask your wedding photographer. Many of these types of articles give good advice on what to ask at a formal consultation, but not many are specific to what to ask at a bridal show.

Bridal shows can be loud, chaotic, rushed, and provide sensory and information overload so you may not have time for a long interview with each photographer. You might leave the show with your head spinning with no progress to show for hiring your wedding vendors. Don’t let that happen!

Here’s how to get the most out of your time at the Bridal Show when looking for a wedding photographer:

Do Your Research Before You Go
Search through online wedding photographer directories to check out some photographers in your area before you go to the show. Of course not all photographers attend bridal shows, but it will give you some idea of who’s in your area, and if they happen to be at the show then you’ll already be familiar with their work.

Get a feel for the different kinds of photography styles by viewing a number of galleries. You may also get some ideas of price ranges and packages, but not all photographers provide complete details on their website.

Stop and Talk
You can easily scan through many photographers’ websites, but what you can’t do online is spend time talking with each one face-to-face. Take advantage of that at the bridal show. Don’t just run by each booth and pick up a brochure and business card and scurry off to the next booth, hoping to evaluate all of your options later.

If you’re interested in a photographer take the time to talk to them. They certainly would love to talk with you! Get a feeling for their personality and how compatible you think they would be with your family and friends.

Getting to know the photographer’s personality and communication style is important because he/she will be with you and your family for most of your wedding day.

Ask About Pricing Details
Look at their brochure or price list. Is it easy to understand or does it resemble a calculus exam? Some photographers may assume you know certain terminology such as “Flush Albums” or “RAW Files.” Have them explain any items that are unclear to you.

Ask detailed questions about their packages, services, and products so you know exactly what they are providing and at what cost. Without a clear understanding of what’s included in the various packages it will be hard to compare one photographer to another when you return home.

Look At Complete Wedding Samples
Are they showing a portfolio of only their best shots from a few weddings? Experienced and reputable photographers will usually have a number of complete wedding albums that the would be proud to show.

Ask to see complete wedding albums so you can see how they photographed the whole wedding from start to finish. See if you like how they photographed the getting ready time before the wedding, the ceremony, the formals and portraits, AND the reception.

Many of our ISPWP members agree:
“This is important because it can let you see what kind of coverage to expect.  Portfolios and blog posts only show the best of the best and are often not a good representation of what to expect from an entire event.” Mike Peyzner | Choco Studio | San Francisco, California

“Ask to see a whole wedding – including ceremony and formals – from start to finish. Not just the album  and not just the blog images. Any weekend warrior can shoot and make 10 killer images for their blog. But it’s the coverage of a whole wedding that makes the difference between ‘Uncle Bob’ and a professional photographer.” John Lyons Weddings | Windsor, Ontario

“Hire a photographer you trust, who will show you an entire wedding and not just a few dozen of “best photos” from each wedding. Look at all the images to get an idea of the level of expertise and talent.” Marcin Rusinowski | 5fourths | Poland

Make Notes
Chances are you’ll return home from the bridal show with a bag full of brochures, business cards, pricing sheets and it might be hard to remember particular photographers. As you leave each booth jot down a few brief notes about the photographer while things are still fresh in your mind.

For example your notes could be as simple as this: Rachel Smith, Smith Photography, beautiful pictures, in budget, easy to talk to, loves doing bride and groom portraits, will do engagement pictures, has shot weddings at our venue, etc.

One of our ISPWP members, Richard Esposito, covers a lot of these points on a TV interview he did recently. See the whole video.
Richard Esposito | Photographer RE | New Haven, Connecticut

Have fun at the bridal shows! And if you’re looking to do some preliminary research before you go, check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory for the best wedding photographers in your area.

Have other tips for getting the most out of bridal shows?
Post your ideas in the comments. I’d love to hear from photographers who attend a lot of bridal shows and brides who have survived bridal shows!

Today’s article was written by Christina Craft of FunkyTown Photography, a Vancouver Wedding Photographer and ISPWP member.

Planning the Timing of Your Photography on Your Wedding Day

Many couples are overwhelmed with creating a schedule for their wedding day that allows a balance between spending time on preparations, greeting their guests and having their photos taken. It can be especially difficult for couples to figure out wedding photography packages based on hours.

This is a general guide to maximize time on the wedding day and to provide guidelines on how much time to allow for wedding photographs. Hindu ceremonies are quite a bit different (sometimes they are one to six days), so this guide is geared more towards Western ceremonies.

The times ranges provided below represents the experience and approach of our photography studio. Your photographer may have slightly different approach. The important thing to remember is for you to talk to YOUR photographer to make sure your wedding schedule allows for the pictures you want to get.

There are lots of emotional moments during the preparations – This image captures Rachel’s mother giving her a hug a minute or two after the dress was donned.

Preparations

• 30 minutes to three hours – bridal hair & makeup
• 20-45 minutes – bride putting on the dress & veil
• 30-45 minutes – portraits  of the girls together (bridal party, parents of the bride, etc.) after the dresses are on
• 30-45 minutes – capturing the groom and guys together (groomsmen, parents of the groom)

When planning preparations, brides should be aware that hair and makeup can sometimes run over time. If a stylist suggests one hour for hair and makeup, allow for two hours just in case things need to be adjusted or redone. The worst thing that will happen is the bride is ready a little early.

Hiring a photographer for preparations means couples will have the anticipation and excitement documented, plus it allows the photographer(s) to get warmed up for the day, understanding who is camera shy, who the key family members are, who is tricky to photograph, etc.

Most photographers will approach the preparations as a photojournalist, capturing candid moments as they unfold. Some may ask people to get ready in good light or to look towards the camera at certain times.

During the preparations the bride’s makeup and hair will be perfect so this is a great time to have some early portraits taken (and it means you won’t have to spend time on these portraits later).

If a couple only has a photographer for a limited period of time, it’s best to have hair and makeup completely finished and the dress ready to put on immediately upon the photographer’s arrival. It is also best for couples to maximize the time they spend in their wedding attire to ensure their preparation photos feature more than just everyone wearing jeans and t-shirts.

If couples allow extra time after the wedding attire is donned the photographer can take extra portraits while hair and makeup is still fresh.

Arriving at the Ceremony

• Bride – one to 30 minutes
• Groom – 30 minutes to one hour

Usually, the groom and groomsmen arrive at the ceremony first and will greet guests. The bride is usually the last to arrive. During this time the photographer(s) will usually do candid photography. Most grooms will have their boutonniere pinned during this time.

This couple told me they would be lighting a ceremonial candle, which allowed me to anticipate and position myself for the moment.

Wedding Ceremony

• 20 minutes to three hours

It is important for couples to speak with their ceremony official to find out if there are any rules or restrictions regarding photography. Some members of the clergy will not allow flash or will not allow any photography at all during the ceremony.

Most photographers will not interrupt the ceremony for any reason and will instead take pictures of moments as they happen. Couples should let their photographers know the general timing of the ceremony and should also discuss any surprises or unusual aspects of the ceremony.

I’ve personally seen the following surprises and it was helpful to know ahead of time so I could anticipate the shot:

• One couple gave rings to the bride’s children from another relationship.
• One groomsman had a toy ring in his pocket that was the size of a pop can. He gave it to the couple during the ring exchange instead of the actual ring, causing everyone to go into hysterical laughter.
• One groom pulled out a guitar and serenaded his bride during the ceremony.

Couples should also let the photographer know if they are releasing doves, ringing a bell, having a sand ceremony, lighting candles, having friends sing or perform, etc.

This Greek Orthodox wedding had lots of traditional touches and it was helpful to know the schedule to anticipate each ritual.

Post-Ceremony Greetings

• 20-45 minutes – if there is a receiving line couples should allow 30 seconds to one minute per person in the line.

Some couples will skip post-ceremony greetings or a receiving line and will go straight to photos. If this is the case, they should plan an exit strategy and have their ceremony official tell guests that they will see the couple at the reception.

If post-ceremony greetings are covered, this is usually when emotions are at their highest and photographers will get lots of candid photos of teary guests greeting the couple.

Right after the ceremony is a great time for photographers to capture candid moments.

Emotions also run high right after the ceremony and I was able to capture this tearful moment when Janice’s father gave congratulations.

Family portraits

• 30 minutes to one hour

Allow approximately three to five minutes per family group (i.e., bride and groom with parents, grandparents, siblings, nieces and nephews).
Allow an extra two minutes for variations on each group (i.e. groom with mom, groom with dad, groom with mom and dad, groom with siblings, groom with each sibling, groom with grandparents, groom with each grandparent).

This can sometimes be the trickiest part of the day for the photographer and guests often get bored so couples should try to limit the time to under 30 minutes. It’s important for couples to have a list ready and to appoint someone who knows the faces in the crowd. If lots of combinations are needed, some photographers will offer to do the additional family groupings at the reception.

To help things run smoothly, family portrait participants should be informed about where/when the portraits will be taken so no one runs off to the bathroom or outside for a cigarette break. The couple should also tell the photographer if one of the participants has mobility issues.

Since the family portraits usually involve the highest number of participants, it is usually easier to have the location near the ceremony so guests don’t get lost, and to have the portraits in one location.

Some photographers will ask that no one else take portraits during this time. This ensures all eyes are looking at the photographer’s camera and not at Aunt June’s camera. Most wedding days are about family reunions and sometimes it’s the first time a certain group will have been together in years. That’s why photographers want no distractions so they can get the perfect picture with everyone looking at just one camera.

Unfortunately, it was hard to get the kids to look towards the camera and the children were distracted when another guest began taking pictures

Wedding Party Portraits

• 20 minutes to one hour

Most times, wedding parties will travel in the limo or carriage to each location with the couple; however, to allow time for the photographer to spend time with the couple alone it’s a good idea to limit the wedding party portraits to one or two locations. The wedding party sometimes gets a little bored and tired, so doing wedding party portraits first will allow them to head back to the limo or cocktail party to continue celebrating.

If a couple wants a mostly photojournalistic approach, then wedding party portraits can be limited to one of the whole group together (or none at all). This group portrait should take no more than five or ten minutes.

Wedding party photos usually include the bride & her girls, the groom & his guys. If it’s kept to one or two locations, the wedding party won’t get bored.

Portraits of the Couple Alone

• 20 minutes to three hours (our average is 45 minutes to one hour)

Unless couples want 100% photojournalism, the couple portraits are usually the most important time for photography. This session works best if the couple is alone with the photographer(s). Sometimes well-meaning guests will tease, heckle or call out to reposition the couple (or even simply run up to have a conversation with the couple). This often delays the time it takes to get these key photos.

While the new wave of photography is more in favor of  creative portraits like those seen in magazines, parents will want at least one traditional, “look at the camera and smile” portrait. This portrait won’t take very long and it’s a good idea to get at least one to satisfy more traditional family members.

Sometimes I will ask couples if they would like to leave the reception for a few minutes for some additional evening or sunset portraits. This is good for couples who don’t have a lot of time between the ceremony & reception.

Reception Pre-Dinner Cocktails

• 20 minutes to one hour (usually this is done while the bride and groom are having their portraits taken)

Wedding Party Arrival

• 10 minutes

Dinner

• One to two hours

Most photographers close to the same time as the couple eats to ensure they are ready to capture speeches (which sometime starts while the last guests are getting their meals).

Speeches

• 15 minutes per speech

Sometimes speeches are done at the rehearsal dinner, but many happen at the reception. Couples should plan for at least 15 minutes per speech, even if instructions to the speech-makers were to keep the speech under five minutes. Often, guests can get a little tipsy or carried away and I’ve personally seen one speech last longer than 30 minutes with six others waiting in line to say their part.

First Dances

• 10 to 20 minutes

Bouquet Toss

• 10 minutes

Garter Toss

• 10 minutes

Cake Cutting

• 10 minutes

In this case, the papparazi were welcome and made for a fun photo while the couple cut the cake.

Couple Exit

• 15 to 30 minutes (people will often stop the couple on the way out the door to say goodbye, give hugs, etc.)

Conclusion

Remember this is a guideline and reflects what our photography studio has learned over the years. You should work closely with your wedding planner and photographer to make sure your schedule allows for the kinds of photos you want during the day. Communication is the key and will help reduce any misunderstandings and missed shots.

Good luck with your wedding planning! If you have any questions or comments, leave them in the comment box below.

Contact Information:
Christina Craft, FunkyTown Photography, Vancouver Wedding Photographer
Website: FunkyTown Photography | Email: christina.craft@gmail.com | Phone: (250)891-2852

Looking for the best wedding photography for your wedding? Check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory for photographers serving your area.

What do Wedding Photographers Really Do?

It comes up a lot. Usually when I’m standing in the buffet line for dinner, or when there’s a slow time during the day when I’m not taking pictures.

“So you’re the photographer?”

“Yessir, I am, and I absolutely love it.”

“Well I don’t doubt it. You’re doing a great job out there. It must be great to work only one day a week!”

I hear similar stories from other wedding photographers. There seems to be a lot of misconceptions regarding what wedding photographers actually do all week. It’s perfectly understandable, after all, the only time most people see us working is at the wedding. So I thought it would be interesting to survey wedding photographers and discover what they really do besides take pictures every weekend. Hopefully it will help clear up some misconceptions and give some insight into what goes on behind the scenes after we leave the reception.

About 50 wedding photographers responded so it’s a fairly good sample size, and I’d be surprised if a larger response would yield a much different result.

The Perception

How some people think wedding photographers spend their time (and how some photographers WISHED they could spend their time):

The Reality

How wedding photographers REALLY spend their time:

We clearly spend more time in front of our computers than behind our cameras, which is a sign of these digital times.

Photographers, does that sound about right? If you think we’re way off or if we missed anything, let us know in the comments.

Quotes

Here are some exerpts from some of the responses that were sent back from the survey:

Looking for a wedding photographer in your area? Check out the ISPWP Wedding Photographer Directory featuring the best wedding photographers from around the world.

Seattle Bride magazine has a wonderful article that features ISPWP members John and Joseph Hong. The magazine sent one of their writers (who is also a photographer) to shoot a wedding along with the Hong brothers.

What follows is an excellent first hand account of how the experience, talent, and equipment of a professional makes an enormous difference in the quality of your wedding pictures, complete with side by side examples of the same scene captured by both photographers. Definitely worth a read if you’re considering saving money by hiring Uncle Bob and wondering if the pictures will turn out OK. Read the whole article on the Seattle Bride site.

If you’re looking for an experienced professional wedding photographer, check out the ISPWP wedding photographer directory to find a photographer near you.