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