There are two main types of wedding photography, classic and photojournalistic. Classic photography is what you probably immediately think of when you think of wedding photos. There are pictures of the bride and groom. And then there are pictures of the bride and groom with the wedding party. And then just the groomsmen. And then just the bridesmaids. And then the bridesmaids with the groomsmen. You get the idea. A classic wedding photographer will capture your wedding with posed for pictures.

Photojournalism is more candid. A photographer who works with this style will be catching the candid moments, focusing on what really happened that day, instead of poses. This type of photographer will be there snapping away on their shutter when you don’t even realize it.

Both styles have their advantages and disadvantages. Classic wedding photography allows the details, such as the wedding dress or the rings to be captured. Everyone who was in the wedding and who attended the wedding as a guest will also be included in the photographs. The classic wedding photographer will also try to get some shots that aren’t just portraits. This means that they will take some shots of the bridesmaids slipping the garter onto the leg of the bride or they will capture a hug between the bride and her mother. Although these pictures may seem candid, they are actually posed. A classic photographer may be at the event for the entire day, depending on what the original contract states but usually, they will be there primarily for the portraits and some candids and then be on their way.

The classic photographer has some disadvantages as well. Because the classic photographer is so busy trying to get pictures of everyone present, they will not have the time to capture all of the details on film. Photographers who have the classic style of photography also seem to be a bit more difficult to work with when it comes to flexibility. Because they are interested in getting the perfect shot, they may need the perfect lighting conditions or the perfect weather.

Because a photographer who uses the photojournalistic style of photography will be more candid, they will also be more casual. They will be sure to include pictures that are of the entire wedding party and they will mix and match to include the same type of bridesmaid’s photo, groomsmen photo, and so on. The difference is that they will not have to take a picture of every single combination that could be taken. They will focus on the most important photos and only take those. They will also take candid photos but the difference here is that these candid moments will not be posed. So they might get a picture of the groom doubled over in laughter. Or they may take a picture of the bridesmaids wiping the bride’s tears of joy away.

The main advantage of a photojournalistic photographer is that they will truly capture the joy and the emotions that you were feeling on your big day. While they may not catch every single shot available, they will catch the important ones. They will also probably be a little more laid-back than a classic photographer and be willing to wait for the rain to blow over if the wedding is outdoors or, they will find amazing photo opportunities in the rain. A photojournalistic photographer generally needs more time than a classic photographer. This is because all of those wonderful moments that they want to get on film don’t all happen within a two hour time period. To get the best shots, they may need to stay for the entire event.

That could be one of the biggest disadvantages of the photojournalistic photographer for you. Because they do need more time, you might be paying more for that time. This isn’t always the case, depending on what your agreement is with the photographer, but many do charge by the hour.

It’s very important that you think about the type of photographs that you want to be looking at not only a month after your wedding but years after your wedding! There is nothing right or wrong about either style, it is completely a matter of personal preference.

1. Negatives or Digital Files

Even if it seems like an unnecessary luxury at your original meeting with the photographer, keep in mind that, years down the road, you may want to make more prints of your own. Whether there are pictures in the film that you didn’t receive with your package, or your pictures have faded and you want reprints, it’s always nice to have the option of getting more prints of your wedding day. When speaking with your photographer, make sure that you can have the film negatives or the digital files so the memories that have been captured will be yours forever.

2. Experience

As the photographer plays such a major role on the day of the wedding, it’s important that they have experience. A photographer that has been in this situation many times before will be able to organize everybody, put them at ease, and make things flow more smoothly. Being a wedding photographer can be a stressful. A photographer with experience behind them will never let you see them sweat and will pull things off calmly.

3. Professional Attitude

This includes returning your calls promptly, treating with you respect at all times, and not making offensive comments towards other photographers or other couples. The way they speak of others is probably the same way they will speak about you so make sure that they are respectful. If not, immediately scratch them off your list and find a photographer who would love to be a part of your big day.

4. The Ability to Listen

You need to make sure that you and your photographer know that this is your wedding and your opinion matters. Make sure you have an idea of what you are looking for and bring these ideas with you when speaking to photographers. Ask at your venue if they have photos from past weddings and browse them to see if there is anything that you would want for your own wedding. A photographer needs to have a clear understanding of your vision so the final product is as you had pictured. To do that, they need to listen.

5. Style and Approach

Over their professional career, every photographer develops their own way of doing things. They know what works for them and what doesn’t. Their individual approach will help get the best photos of your wedding. While you need your photographer to listen to your thoughts and ideas, you also need an understanding of their way of working to see if it will coincide with yours.

Photo by vanz

If you want those gorgeous prints taking on your big day, you’re going to have to pay for them. But just because a photographer slaps down a price list doesn’t mean there isn’t room for negotiation. Here are a few ways to save on wedding photography.

It’s a good idea before you do anything to talk to professional photographers in your area. Get to know the different styles available to you and how much they charge. When meeting with photographers, don’t base your decision on price alone. Look at their portfolio. This will help you decide what you do and don’t like.

Ask for references from past clients. This will provide you with an insight into their professionalism and personality that may make or break the decision for you.
Book your photographer as early as you can. You will have more bargaining power, as they probably won’t have other jobs lined up so far in advance. Booking the photographer early also means one less thing on your “To Do” list!

Often a photography package will include a certain number of developed photos in an album and digital copies of all the photos taken on a CD. If you don’t already have them, definitely negotiate digital copies into your photography contract. You can look through the snaps later and get the ones you want developed using a cheaper service. You could scrap the photographer’s album altogether and make your own leaving you to define the kind of album that you want.

If you have an amateur photographer in the family, it may be a good idea to ask them if they will take your wedding pictures. Just make sure you have a look at photos they’ve taken and check out their gear, an SLR camera is a must.

Hiring a photography student can be a great way to find a low cost, motivated and talented photographer for your wedding. Check at your local college. Ask for their portfolio and have a few sample shots taken before making any deal.

The emergence of digital cameras has driven the price of film cameras way down. This allows you to place one or two film cameras on each table at the reception and have your family and friends snap away. You can get great candid photos your photographer may miss and it provides your guests with a source of entertainment as they vie to see who will get the best shot.

1. A Sparse Portfolio

You wouldn’t buy a wedding dress without first looking at it and the same theory should hold true with the photography. Any professional photographer worth their salt will have a portfolio they will encourage you to look through.

This will give you a chance to browse through their past work. Once those pictures are taken on your wedding day, there really is no going back, so you want to have some idea of the final product you will be receiving. A photographer with a very sparse portfolio should send alarm bells ringing.

2. A Price Too Good To Be True

Price can be a tricky issue when it comes to wedding photography. The price really can be all over the map as some photographers will only charge a few hundred dollars and some will charge up to ten thousand.

It’s generally true when it comes to wedding photography that the more you pay, the happier you’ll be with the final result. This is only because those that charge on the lower end of the scale are often doing it as a hobby or as part-time work. While many will have experience some may be complete amateurs. Those who charge a little more are often professional and have a firm idea as to how to handle the art of capturing your wedding day.

Another thing watch out for is price flexibility. Photographers will have their own packages and prices. Try to make sure those are not set in stone and that you can play around a little and substitute here and there. Just as no wedding is the same, no couple is the same either and different couples will want different things included in their packages.

3. A Lack of Time

Of course you want every moment of your big day captured. Make sure the photographer will be able to stay on the premises for the entire day. If a photographer has more than one event on the day of your wedding, they may rush through your pictures and not give you their full focus. You need their undivided attention, if they are not willing to give you that then cross them off your list.

4. A Lack of Flexibility

You want them to be flexible with their time, with their price, and also their style of photography. Unfortunately, some photographers may be stuck in their own train of thought. They may not be willing to branch out and try something new. Make sure that they are up-to-date on current trends and are flexible enough to go with new styles.

5. A Conflicting Personality

This is just a simple matter of everyone getting along, which is sometimes not so simple. If you and your photographer seem to have conflicting personalities, it’s time to find someone else. When personality issues are involved, moments spent with a photographer can be grueling and this will be reflected in your photos. A photographer who feels they do not get along with you will not have the same motivation as one you develop a true connection with.

Decide what you Like

You might be clueless about what looks good in a wedding photograph but by quickly scanning through a few bridal magazines, you’ll soon see a pattern in the style of photography that you like. Do you like the black and white photos or is it the profile pictures that attract you? You’ll soon see a pattern and while this won’t make you an expert in photography, it will give you a better idea of what you like.

Hire a Professional

Choosing your wedding photographer can seem difficult but after speaking to a few and knowing what you are looking for you will soon find the photographer that is right for you. The most important thing is that you are comfortable with your photographer so it won’t be awkward while posing on the big day and so you can make sure they will make you feel comfortable. Make sure you ask things such as if it will be them that will actually be taking pictures at the wedding. Sometimes photography firms have many photographers and any given one could show up on your big day, making any previous rapport you’ve developed useless. Make sure that photographer you deal with throughout wedding planning is the one that will be asking you to say, ‘Cheese!’

Decide on a Video

Videos of weddings are becoming more and more popular and even if you’re tempted to save money here, consider that it’s a very nice memory for your future children, not only of the ceremony but to see how their relatives looked the day you were married. You should also seriously consider a video if there are several people from out-of-town that won’t be able to attend the ceremony.

Set a Budget

What’s bad about having so many options with wedding photography is that it’s very easy to get carried away and spend way more than you had ever thought you would. This is why it’s so important to decide how much you will spend on your wedding photography before you even begin to speak with photographers. Decide how important the wedding photos are to you and how many of them you would like to have, as well as which type. While it’s true that every additional option is likely to cost more money, you also don’t want to scrooge yourself out of these precious memories simply because you were trying to save money. If the photos are extremely important to you, consider cutting costs somewhere else in the wedding budget. If that’s not possible, spend as much as you can afford on professional photography and have a friend snap the rest!