EMC Photography Studio is run by me, Adele Lopez. And I tell it how it is. Please understand prior to reading, this is not to offend or to criticize anyone specifically. It is just reality.
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Imagine this:
You're standing outside of your venue, about to make your grand entrance. You're feeling great, a little nervous but you'll push through it. You flatten the front of your dress, check your hair, the bouquet is holding up nicely in this weather, look around and ... Wait..... where is your photographer?
"Hey,! Hey you, um... I'm sorry I don't remember your name. Could you find my photographer please?"
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TRUST ME! You DO NOT want this to be you. We! don't want this to be you.
More often than most Wedding Photographers are not given the proper direction from their couples they are serving. I am not saying you are bad people. I am saying, YES, it IS your job as our clients to give us the most information you can before we photograph your wedding. You wouldn't go to a salon and tell the stylist 'ehh, just wing it', would you? (a horrible analogy I know but that's all I have at the moment)
Point is, the more direction we have about your BIG day the better. It makes our jobs easier as photographers and your stress level will plummet knowing we are doing our jobs to capture those sublime moments you will cherish forever.
THINGS TO TELL YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER - Part 1
(There will be a quiz at the end so take notes)
ATTIRE
As adults, we know showing up to a wedding in Jeans and a Kiss T-shirt from the 80s is NOT proper Wedding Attire. Most of our mothers and grandmothers made sure we understood this at a very young age. However, we often assume everyone is aware of this rule, your guests and staff will have the common sense and show up looking their best. NOPE!
This wasn't just an attire example; this actually happened at a wedding I attended as a guest a few years back. The couple hired a very well known wedding photographer in their area and he showed up, ready to go to a movie on a Tuesday afternoon, I mean, to photograph their moments that will last forever. I was appalled and so was the bride and groom. They approached him during the reception about how he was dressed and his reply was: "You did not tell me what to wear."
Okay, let's back up a little. Informing your Wedding Photographer on your wedding attire will ensure them to show up looking professional. Point Blank.
VENDORS
Vendors are important to everyone. From Baker to Photographer. You may have already gotten a list to fill out from your Wedding Photographer to list all of your Vendors and their phone numbers. Why? Why would Wedding Photographers need this type of information?
The answer is simple: Recommendations
We all work together in this industry. As Wedding photographers we capture everything. We capture the cake, which we send a copy to the baker. We capture the dancing with your DJ in the background, we send that photo to your DJ. What about the table decorations, officiant, planner, food? That is all sent back as a courtesy by us in hopes those vendors will appreciate our efforts as photographers and recommend us to other couples.
You may be saying to yourself, "why would I want you to profit more from my wedding?" Because Gratitude is what humans thrive on. We send these photos for them to place on the vendor's social media & websites.
Mary from your office knows you hired XX-DJ services and goes to their website, sees our photo and books them because of you. She comes to you after her wedding saying "Thank you for recommending me to such an amazing DJ." See, Gratification, You're Welcome, Gold Stars for you.
NAMES OF WEDDING PARTY
"You in the Pink dress could you move to the left a little bit" (oh, crap, you're all wearing pink!)
Yeah, It happens to a lot of wedding photographers. Photographers have to waste time by walking closer and pointing. Personally, I think that is the rudest thing a wedding photographer could do to someone. "YOU, HERE". It would be soo much easier to say something like "Okay, Nancy, I am unable to see you behind Brenda could you please move a little to the left for me. Perfect. And Rob, please place your beer behind your back, that would be great. Thank you so much" <- yup, every wedding there is a Rob.
FAMILY/GUEST DRAMA
No, wedding photographers are not asking you to spill the beans on every skeleton in your family's closet. Don't get ahead of me now.
This is what we personally ask 'Every Single Bride'. "Is there any Family or guest that has an issue with another member of your family and/or guest?" (Yes, we really do ask this)
The last thing wedding photographers want is placing Rob by Ricky or Amanda by Brittany and have it turn into a huge game of "SHE TOUCHED ME!!!" on your big day. So if there is something your photographer should know prior to, regarding any Drama between guests or family please for the LOVE OF PETE speak up.
*Last one for today*
WHEN DO WE EAT OR TAKE A BREAK?
Your wedding photographers are on their feet for sometimes up to 12 hours. They are twisting their bodies in so many positions during your wedding, they feel it for 'days' after. So, yes, beyond popular believe your wedding photographer's do in fact need a meal, sometimes two.
No photographer on normal circumstances would expect you to feed them during their shift, but please be courteous and let them know before the wedding date when they are able to take at least a 30 min break to either eat in their vehicle, leave the venue for a quick bite or eat as one of your guest at their own designated table and/or chair(s). Let them rest a spell because if your photographer passes out, you're left with you Aunty taking your photos. And no one wants that.
I am just kidding. There is no quiz. Just a recap.
1) Tell your photographer what attire you are expecting your guests to wear to your wedding day.
2) Give your Photographer a list of vendors so they can send them their work & you get thanks for it.
3) Give your Photographer a list of names of your Wedding Party (Including mothers & Fathers)
4) Disclose ANY family drama that would distract the photographers from getting the BEST photos possible
and last but not least
5) Please, Please, Please be courteous to your wedding photographers. They have to perform at their best and to do that, they need food. (Suggestion: 30mins every 5 hours of services)
Please leave us a Comment:
What is the #1 thing a Wedding Photographer should know about a Wedding?
And as always - Thanks for Reading.
www.emcphotographystudio.com
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