Your wedding portraits may be the most important photographs you will have taken in your life. When choosing your photographer you have to be very careful. Improvements in camera technology has made it virtually impossible to take a bad picture. Many amateurs, equipped with sophisticated equipment, are capable of taking decent photographs. However, there is much more to wedding photography than knowing how to operate a camera.
Wedding photography is about seizing moments, capturing emotion and creating memories. The technical skills required to do this are essential, but it doesn't stop there. The renowned French photographer, Henri Cartier-Bresson, termed it "the decisive moment", the point when the photographer releases the shutter to capture an image. Professional wedding photographers do this for a living. They photograph people every day and not only have the necessary photographic skills, but are adept at handling people, even emotional ones at a wedding.
How do you find a professional wedding photographer? First, you must ask if photography is their full time profession. Although you are not required to be a member of a professional organization to become a professional photographer, membership is a good indication that your photographer is very serious about their craft. Qualification for the Professional Photographers of Ontario (P.P.O.), for example, requires that you are an active, full-time photographer.
Another indication of your photographer's proficiency is the equipment they use. Whether it be traditional film equipment or digitl, there is a difference between ‘consumer’ cameras and professional ones. For film cameras, nothing can beat the quality of medium format equipment. However, many photographers now use 35mm equipment for a more photojournalistic look to their photography. It doesn't matter which format they use, but it should be professional grade equipment - something that can hold up to the rigors of professional use.
Today's professional digital cameras rival if not exceed the quality of many film cameras. But that's only the beginning. The creative possibilities afterwards are limitless. To take full advantage of digital, your photographer should be proficient in computer programs such as PhotoShop - an industry standard. As with film though, there are both good and not-so-good digital cameras. Ask to see samples to make sure you're satisfied with the quality.
OK - your photographer is a member of a professional photographic association and has medium format or professional digital equipment. What else do you look for in a wedding photographer?
First and foremost, you must view the photographer's work. Not only should your photographer show a variety from different weddings, but should also show you a sample of at least one entire wedding they have photographed. This way you can see if your photographer can produce quality throughout the event, not just a portfolio of lucky shots from different weddings.
Don't be afraid to ask questions about how they would handle different situations, such as crying children, obnoxious relatives or fainting bridesmaids. If you are not comfortable with their answer, or their personality, maybe you should look elsewhere. Remember, your photographer will be with you for most of the day. If you don’t like them, you won’t enjoy your wedding day.
The other thing to remember is that although you want to have fun at your wedding, and hate posed pictures, there are times when a more arranged photograph is necessary, especially with family groups or to carefully capture the detail in a wedding gown. Ensure that your photographer is comfortable with this style of photography too. Look for things like how people are standing in the portraits. Are they standing like a line-backer or do they look elegant? Do they look awkward with nothing to do with their hands? Is the pose flattering to their body type? If they're seated, do they look comfortable or like they're sitting on a pot? If it's a head & shoulders portrait, is the angle flattering to the shape of their face?
There are many things to consider when chooseing your wedding photographer and style is one of them, and probably the most important. Wedding photography is more than just snapping a few fun moments, and making a decision based on marketing hype or price alone could leave you disappointed.
A big advantage of choosing a photographer that is a member of a professional photographer's association is that they have the opportunity to become qualified and accredited. As a member of the Professional Photographers of Ontario, the photographer must pass qualification within four years of joining to retain membership. The letters displayed after a photographer's name, FPPO, APPO and LPPO indicate that the photographer has passed specific levels of the qualification program.
Accreditation, a national designation from the Professional Photographers of Canada (P.P.O.C.), proves that the photographer is capable of delivering above average quality in a given category, such as wedding photography. PPOC also offer a Master and Craftsman of Photographic Arts award for those that have excelled in the art of photography. Members with these designations also means that the photographer books up pretty fast, sometimes up to a year in advance.
When booking your wedding photographer, put your trust in a professional. Look for membership in a professional organization such as the Professional Photographers of Canada. Ask about accreditation and qualification. Look at the work of the photographer actually shooting your wedding. Ask questions, lots of them. Remember - you get what you pay for.
