This article has been written as a guide to help brides with decisions related to getting the most out of their photography sessions before, during and after their wedding. There are many different things that go into planning a successful wedding and we’re not going to be addressing them all. My goal however, is to at least help you in making more lasting memories. It’s a shame, but almost all weddings are scheduled figuring that the photographers can just deal with whatever is done, and in most cases we do pretty well working around things. However, planning with us in mind will only enhance the most important part of the day, your memories.
Step 1 - Location:
Most brides think that having a wedding in the local church is nothing more than giving them a call and getting a date. However, you need to be aware of a few very important things before making that date. First of all, almost all churches have rules about photography that can make recording your special day next to impossible. Some are dark, some have balconies, some don’t. All of these things need to be considered, because where your photographers can place themselves goes a long way to making you happy when it’s all over.
The Rules: The next big problem is that most brides are not aware that the church they’ve scheduled to house their special day, has rules against allowing photographers at the front of the church. This may not seem to be a problem at first, but what happens when you walk the aisle and everyone stands up? Another issue is that while capturing images from afar is not a problem for most professional cameras, you can’t expect the color and clarity of the images to match those that are captured much closer.
Lighting: Everyone knows a camera can’t take a picture in the dark. It needs plenty of light to get those special memories recorded and having a wedding in a dark location means that your images are not going to look that great when it’s all over. So try to schedule at a location that offers plenty of light, even at night. During the ceremony flashes and lights can’t be used for obvious reasons, so making sure you have enough light from other sources is very important.
Position: Just imagine, you’ve made all the plans, scheduled all the help, have everyone seated and you’re ready to go. The cameras have been forced to stay at the back of the church and there just wasn’t anything you could do about it. What’s left? Well, where are you going to face? Most brides end up walking down the aisle and facing the front of the church with everyone looking at their backs. While this might not bother the people so much, the camera won’t be able to get your facial reactions and other gestures that you might like to have 10 years later. Try to talk to your wedding planner and/or photographers to see if they have any suggestions during this phase of the wedding. Remember, we all have something at stake during your wedding and anything that will make it run smoother will help us all. Just ask.
When it’s all said and done, the photography that has been captured will be all thats left. The cake will be eaten, the food gone and the flowers will be wilted, but the images of the day will last forever. Plan your wedding as if it’s a movie production and the results will be something you’ll be proud of for the rest of you life.
–glenn hancock
