1) BE SELECTIVE ON YOUR LOCATION

Put some effort in choosing a beautiful location for the majority of your photographs. If a beautiful theme restaurant is not possible, ask a friend or relative if you may use their home or find a spacious park along your route. Another alternative is to choose a beautiful resort to spend your first night together. Then check in early for your pre-ceremony photographs. Look for distinctive features like spiral staircases, archways, columns, fountains, tall ceilings, beautiful furniture or English gardens.

2) HIRE A PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST

On your wedding day, a beautiful makeup job could make your photographs look like you spent a fortune on your photographs. Your investment in makeup will easily be returned.

3) GET ROMANTIC

Flowers and candles are easy to acquire and can dramatically improve the romance of any location with minimal effort. Fresh cut flowers, tea lights, sprinkles of rose petals or shear material draped over windows will bring extra warmth to any room.  Be sure to coordinate these extra touches with your photographer before he arrives.

4) MAKE PRIVATE TIME FOR YOUR PORTRAITS

Design your day for extra photography while your guests are not present. Avoid the extra stress by allowing plenty of time to complete your formal portraits early, while your hair & makeup are fresh.  Do them while few guests need your attention.  In some cases, there may be plenty of time for extra photography before the service.  This allows you to engage in your reception immediately following the ceremony while emotions are high and guests are eager to share your moment.  Photography should be fun and stress-free.

5) SHOOT YOUR FAVORITE PORTRAITS DURING DAYLIGHT

Sunset ceremonies are romantic, but many of your most favorite photographs will follow later when its dark and flash photography is required. This is “artificial light” and the photographs will lack depth because the background falls to black.   It’s much better to shoot your photographs during daylight hours when your background is illuminated by “natural light”.   Afternoon light offers the most warmth and depth.

6) HIRE AN EXPERIENCED PHOTOJOURNALIST

Choose a photographer well trained in formal portraiture as well as in photojournalism. They are two distinct styles, but both are a must.  Capturing special candid moments as they occur are priceless, but can you imagine the disaster if your photographer left it to fate for your family to arrange themselves for the family portrait?   Beware; there are well-paid “artist” that never organize a shot.  They feel capturing the moment should override the necessity to ask someone to move to a better position. Remember, posing can sometimes be just as important as the candid shots.

7) SEE THE WORK OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER FIRST

Never select a photographer whose work you haven’t seen.  During the interview, require that they show you at least one complete wedding from their work.  You should also be able to select your photographer at the moment you secure by payment.

8) BACK UP CAMERA EQUIPMENT

Choose a photographer with well-maintained cameras. Your photographer should always carry a second camera (complete system) just in case something goes wrong with the first camera.

9) PACKAGES vs SHOOT - ONLY PHOTOGRAPHERS

Many couples are often over-burdened with new responsibilities after the wedding, such as moving, expanding their job responsibilities or just about anything you can name. Yet, they often hire photographers who just hand them the images on a CD. Sometimes this works great, but what about the people who spend thousands on their wedding? You need to ask yourself, "Do I have the knowledge and time to create something as nice as the wedding I just had?" or "Do I even know where to buy a nice album?" Don't put this decision off till your first wedding anniversary! Just go back to your photographer skilled in this art... or start off with a wedding package that includes it. Building an album involves countless hours. Professional photographers can do it better, in less time, and have access to numerous great albums. Their prints should also exceed the normal standards (ask to see samples). Begin with a photographer who builds wedding albums regularly since they know how to shoot the whole story rather than leaving you something disjointed. Shoot-Only photographers tend to be less accountable.

10) MATCH THE PHOTOGRAPHER TO YOUR EVENT

Remember, your photographs are the only thing remaining after the wedding day ends.  There are no re-takes.  Why get married on a million dollar yacht and hire a budget photographer? Your photographs should look great and be representative of your event.

Orange County California Wedding Photography | Orange County CA Wedding Photographer |
Orange County CA Wedding Photography | Costa Mesa California Wedding Photographer