Wedding Pictures: Avoid Expensive Photographers
The best place to start is with your friends and family. Maybe you have a cousin who is majoring in photography in college. Or perhaps your uncle has always been an amateur photography buff. Regardless of who or where, there is usually someone in every family who enjoys taking pictures, and who has at least some experience in lighting and positioning.
Spread the word through the family grapevine that you are looking for something with experience in photography. A college degree and a thick portfolio are not necessary; just make sure that their only experience isn’t with a disposable camera.
In most cases, a friend or family member will be flattered that you would consider their expertise, and will jump at the chance to photograph your wedding. You might also run into a little bit of fear – no one wants to be responsible for botching a loved one’s wedding day. Just explain that you aren’t looking for professional quality photos, but an elegant photographic album of pictures.
Before the wedding, meet with your chosen amateur photographer and discuss how you would like the pictures to look. Don’t treat them as you would a professional photographer – they are doing you a favor – but make sure that you are on the same page for how you want the pictures to come out. Discuss places for pictures, backgrounds and positioning, and give them a list of everyone who should be in every picture. Make it as easy on them as possible before the wedding, because you’ll be busy on the big day!
An added bonus for having a friend or family member photographer is that he or she will be familiar with your closest friends and loved ones, and will be able to get more meaningful shots throughout the course of the ceremony and reception.
If you are having trouble coming up with ideas, or if you need inspiration for your amateur photographer, here are some ideas to get your started.
1. Location. When you’re looking through the pictures in five, ten and twenty years, you’ll want some interesting backgrounds. Before the wedding, choose an outdoor location that will most effectively and elegantly capture the post-ceremony glory. Verandas, fences with vines and water shots are all classics.
2. B&W. Have your photographer bring two cameras to the wedding, one loaded with color film and the other with black and white. Black and white shots are very elegant, and can add diversity to your album.
3. Candid Shots. Let your photographer known that not all pictures must be posed. Let them wander the reception and take candid photos of people dancing, eating, laughing and talking in groups.
4. Leveling. Have chairs, tables and other props to help add diversity to your photos. Take a picture with you sitting in a chair and your spouse standing behind you, or one with the bridesmaids kneeling. This will give the photos a professional flair.
5. Close-ups. Some of the most memorable wedding photos are those of small, seemingly insignificant events. Take pictures of just your hands, showing the wedding bands, or of a guest signing the guestbook. Not all shots must include full-body images; some can be of localized themes.
6. Lighting. Not all pictures should be taken indoors. Even if both the ceremony and the reception are held inside, find a location outside in which to take pictures. Natural light can make all the difference in photos.
7. Background. Make sure that in “formal” photos, the backgrounds don’t hold any extraneous objects. For example, when photographing the wedding cake, make sure there are no plastic plates or cups in the picture as well.
