| These days, bridal shops really take the footwork | | | | good nearing the 7th hour mark? Checking ahead |
| out of your wedding photography. Step into a | | | | with your photographer would better prepare you |
| bridal shop, and you’ll be presented | | | | for the photo shoot. In turn, this will minimise any |
| with irresistibly-priced wedding packages. For three | | | | unpleasant surprises that might arise due to poor |
| thousand bucks you get this, you get that and | | | | planning. |
| you get the photography thrown in - FREE. That's | | | | Another thing to consider before signing up with |
| a lot of bang for the bucks, you thought. And so | | | | any photographer is the location of the photo |
| you sign up for one of the packages. | | | | session. These days, anything goes and |
| "Congratulations!" says the consultant, "Come in | | | | here’s where you have to be careful. |
| one month before your wedding and | | | | A number of couples have taken to endanger |
| we’ll set you up for the photo shoot." | | | | their lives by taking pictures on railway tracks. |
| It was a set up indeed. | | | | We’re not talking about disused railway |
| The problem with some of these packaged | | | | tracks, but tracks that have regular (and |
| photography is that they require you to have | | | | speeding) services running on them. So, make |
| your wedding pictures taken before your wedding | | | | sure your photographer really know the train |
| day. Many of these photographers would prefer | | | | schedule to avoid any unpleasantness, to say the |
| not to take your pictures on your wedding day. | | | | least. |
| For them, 'actual day' pictures are best left to the | | | | THE PHOTOJOURNALISTIC APPROACH: A |
| amateurs. Curious thinking, that. Ask around. | | | | POPULAR OPTION |
| Check with your friends. Find out how many of | | | | A good and responsible photographer will surely |
| them REALLY liked their so-called studio wedding | | | | want to get to know the couple first so that a |
| photographs. | | | | relationship can be built between couple and him. |
| "That wasn’t me!" | | | | Usually, a planning conference would be held at |
| "Hey! I looked ridiculous in that pose." | | | | the photographer’s studio or at your |
| "No, no! This one is censored, you can’t | | | | home. This is essential as it helps the |
| look at this, I looked ugly here." | | | | photographer build rapport with you. You will smile |
| Sound familiar? Well, what went wrong? How | | | | more naturally and readily before the camera if |
| your wedding photos will turn out eventually | | | | the photographer is somebody who already |
| depends a lot on you too. Just consider the | | | | knows you. That in turn contributes to better |
| following: | | | | pictures. |
| WAS IT TAKEN ON YOUR WEDDING DAY? | | | | While not imposing any particular form of |
| One month, one week, or even one day before | | | | photography, we find that about 60% of the |
| your wedding is still not your wedding day. So | | | | couples prefer the photojournalistic concept. The |
| would you feel the same as you would have felt | | | | other 40% is shared equally between candid |
| on your wedding day? While it wouldn’t | | | | photography and contrived ones. (couples looking |
| be fair to generalise that all photo sessions before | | | | at the wedding rings, the sort) |
| the wedding would turn out wrong, | | | | The photojournalistic approach, is not to be |
| we’re really saying that it’s | | | | confused with candid photography. Candid pictures |
| not the real thing. Contrary to what some | | | | are usually taken without the subjects’ |
| photographers might suggest to you (that | | | | knowledge. At times, candid shots may turn out |
| you’ll be too tired to look good if the | | | | well, but most of the time they become rather |
| photos were taken on the actual day), actual-day | | | | inconsequential as they do not adequately capture |
| photos will turn out well. And we are talking about | | | | the mood of the occasion. |
| studio-quality photography here, not those taken | | | | The photojournalistic concept, on the other hand, |
| by your uncles. After all, it IS your big day and | | | | captures the spirit of things. Posing is fine, but is |
| you’ll be naturally happy. And this | | | | done as naturally as possible. The advantages of |
| happy disposition would naturally be captured in | | | | choosing the photojournalistic type are aplenty. |
| your photographs. | | | | Firstly, you don’t have to pose |
| BEWARE THE SNARE OF "ARTFUL" | | | | awkwardly. Some posing, while done correctly |
| CONTRIVANCE | | | | (but contrived) are best suited for models who |
| You can’t believe why on earth did | | | | gloss wedding magazines. They’re slick, |
| you allow the photographer to "degrade" you that | | | | but cold. There’s no atmosphere of |
| day. But you were certain you looked stupid in | | | | love there. Secondly, unlike candid shots which end |
| the picture. "Groom, hold up the phone receiver | | | | up being inconsequential most of the time, the |
| and talk into it. Bride, look the other | | | | happiness that permeates the occasion is |
| way…that’s right, okay now, | | | | captured in the photographs. It could be the |
| cup your right ear and pretend to hear him. | | | | audience laughing in response to a good joke or |
| Perfect!" | | | | the glances that the newly weds exchange with |
| Who would want a picture like that? You | | | | each other. Or it could be a picture of the bride |
| won’t believe the paces some | | | | with her bridesmaids having a good time while |
| photographers put people through, but they sure | | | | looking into the camera. A good photojournalist |
| are silly. What your photographer feel is art may | | | | would be able to capture not just the subjects |
| not really be your cup of tea. So, do be careful. | | | | but also their moods and feelings too. Don |
| Learn to say no if you’re not | | | | Nibbelink, a professional photographer, rightly |
| comfortable with a particular pose. | | | | summarised what photojournalistic wedding |
| We’ve seen too many poor couples | | | | photos are all about: "Offbeat but sensitive |
| manipulated into poses best performed by | | | | wedding photography." |
| contortionists. Don’t be another victim. | | | | So, if you’re getting married, discuss |
| ENDURING THE PERFECTIONIST TORTURE | | | | with your photographer first on the kind of |
| If you really have to take pre-wedding (studio) | | | | photography you like. Ask for his portfolio and |
| photography, check with your photographer how | | | | see whether you are comfortable with his works. |
| many shots and how any hours of photography | | | | As mentioned, a good photographer will tailor his |
| he’s putting you through. Setting a | | | | works to your needs and not the other way |
| time limit with your photographer would be helpful | | | | round. Check with family and friends, |
| for it is not uncommon for couples to go through | | | | you’ll be surprised how much they |
| 7-hour photo sessions. If you feel that you can | | | | know about wedding photography and how to |
| take the marathon, fine. But would you still look | | | | avoid the pitfalls of wedding photography. |