As wedding expenses can be quite costly, couples are often searching for cost cutting options i.e. having a friend or family member photograph their day…after all, they own a digital camera right?. Let’s face it, everyone is a photographer these days, or aspires to be.  So much more goes into capturing your special day than just owning a camera. Planning a wedding which may be the biggest day of your life, can be quite stressful… but worrying about whether Uncle Bob forgot to take the cap off his lens or didn’t put a memory card in shouldn’t have to be one of those. Just as no two brides (or grooms) are alike, no two Professional Photographers are alike as well. When planning your wedding, here are some of the things to look for:

Getting to Know You

Yes in our age of technology, there are some questions that can be answered via e-mail or over the phone but it’s so important to meet your Professional Photographer in person and get to know his/her style, personality and make sure it’s a good fit with your expectations. Anyone can quote you a price, but if that’s the only thing you’re looking for you may have big regrets down the road.  Take your time to seek out a Professional Photographer that is friendly, punctual, has good customer service and people skills. Recommendations and affiliations with professional organizations is always a good start. We’re affiliated with WPJA/Wedding Photojournalistic Association and PPA/Professional Photographers of America in addition to being voted “Best in Atlanta 2010″.  Make sure to do your homework and once you find the right one for you, an Engagement Session is a wonderful way to get comfortable in front of the camera, let your hair down before the big day and really get to know your Photographer one-one-one!

Experience

Although back in the day Grandma’s wedding pictures were quite lovely (and still are)…we’re just not that type of photographer! Our style is photojournalist, unrehearsed and contemporary! Photojournalism…not quite sure what that is? It’s a style which encompasses the candid moments, the laughs..the joys…and the tears through years of experience and anticipation of those special moments that only happen once! It’s storytelling at its finest…from the moment your eyes well up when your groom sees you for the first time, to the lingering hugs and kisses from your guests as you drive off  into the sunset to begin your new life together. Of course, Mom/Dad/Grandparents always request the traditional shots that include family members that traveled so far to celebrate you and the group photos with your long lost relatives…we’ll happily do those too!

Lighting Skills

Many places of worship have lighting restrictions during ceremonies yet you will still want those precious moments captured. A seasoned professional has equipment that can overcompensate when receptions are held in dimly lit venues, or churches where flash photography is not allowed without compromising your images. Advanced lighting skills and off-camera lighting are paramount when shooting under these circumstances.

Anticipation

Wedding day pace can be exciting and fast moving and sometimes things don’t always go as planned or stay on schedule…that’s just the nature of the day. With so many important elements combined to create your big day, something is bound to go askew..not to worry! We anticipate anything and everything, and are always on the ready so that we can get split-second shots when they happen. Flexibility is key!

Know the Shots

Like second nature! Yes, we got the ring shots, the first kiss, the bouquet toss, the first dance…yes, yes, yes, while Uncle Bob is chatting with his long lost family member that he hasn’t seen in years! Sorry Uncle Bob…no offense, but we just know our stuff! Relax and enjoy the wedding!

Wedding Etiquette

There’s plenty of do’s and don’ts and professional etiquette goes a long way! You’ll never have to worry about us getting in the way of your videographer (if you choose to have one), or taking an unflatterying picture of someone with their mouths full of food, (unless of course you want us to…that’s your call)! We realize there may be other wedding professionals there as well and we welcome them and always play nice!

Equipment

Although all cameras look very similar there’s a big difference between the consumer grade and professional grade equipment. Under ideal conditions, your friend or family member could produce some very nice mementos as keepsakes of your wedding…but what about when the action starts…the dancing, the lighting, the bridal portraits and the family group shots? That can be a daunting task even for the best of professionals and there’s no time to learn as you go which could mean the difference between getting tack sharp bright images or dark blurry ones.

Post Processing | Editing Skills |Pro Level Photo Labs |Albums

After the day is over, the post processing of your hundreds of images begin. Post processing…what’s that? Well, it’s color correcting, light balancing, tonal changes if necessary and cropping if needed. Then there’s the creation of your online gallery, selection of your images, and the customizing your beautiful wedding album heirloom. You may even decide you want oversize wall prints to display in your home. Most premium album and print companies reserve their services for professional wedding photographers. Your wedding day turned out fabulously but our job doesn’t stop at the end of the day.

When the last guest leaves, the presents are opened, and the tuxedos are returned, all you have left are your images and a chance to see all the behind the scenes, emotion filled moments that you missed while you were saying “I do”. One last final tip…remember it’s YOUR day! Look fabulous, savor each special moment and let us document it for you, creatively, artistically and professionally! Congratulations!

Photographically yours,

Arlene