Here's something I've been hearing a lot lately, on the topic on weddings...
'Everyone has a camera these days, anyone can take the photos'
I'm writing this post because I feel pretty strong about the blasé statement. I'm not saying the statement is wrong. Yes, lot of people have cameras and yes, any one of those people could take some photos of you at your wedding. But do you know what you'll be missing out on? No, really missing out on?
So should you hire a professional wedding photographer? Should you ask your friend or guests to take some photos at your wedding?
Special moments
I like to document the story of your day as it unfolds. I'm constantly looking for little moments that are so easily missed, like the last minute touch up to the dress or the look on the father's face when he sees his daughter, the groom fidgeting nervously as he waits for his bride, the tear spilt by mum as she takes in the scene. I love these real moments! Sometimes you just know when you expect these little but important moments. And that comes with experience. A profession wedding photographer has photographed hundreds of weddings, so know when something worth capturing is about to happen
Bridal Preparation
Everyone knows girls love their time with their friends getting ready. Bridal prep is all part of the big day, so being present during preparation is a biggie. It’s a lot to ask a friend or guest to attend early morning to capture photos of you getting your hair and makeup done. Of photos of the dress hung up and a few glasses of fizz early door. Bridal preparation is included in my wedding photography packages.
A Second photographer
The boys have their fair share of the fun too and this might not be something you even thought about, but if you decide you would like photos of the groom pre wedding ceremony I second photographer will be needed. Again this is something I offer in my package.
Details
The time and effort put into a wedding makes each one unique and tailored for the couple. I've worked at stunning decorated venues. I love the venues where the couple's creative style is apparent. I appreciate the small details. A wedding photographer isn’t just a wedding photographer, they are a still life photographer too.
Involvement
It is so important to make everyone in front of the lens feel comfortable. This isn't always an easy task for the more formal shots. I find having a sense of humour and a laid back approach whilst always being ready to get that shot helps relax people. You need to be a real people person, whilst organising large groups of people in a small time scale. This takes skill.
Wedding Photography Kit
It's not all about the camera. It is also about the person behind it. As I shoot in manual – I tell the camera what it should be doing rather than allowing the camera’s sensors to make the decisions for me. However kit is important. Pro cameras and more importantly the lenses, get the results. Without getting all technical, there is a world of difference between the standard DSLR, mirrorless and high end kit. Church’s are often dark and flashes can’t be used so high-end kit really makes a difference to getting clean crisp images. Along with the skills of the photographer
Lighting
Your guests won’t always know how to light a dark venue such as a small church. Going from a dark venue to a light venue requires monitoring the light constantly and reacting by changing iso, aperture and shutter speed. For example lighting the couple, but still exposing a beautiful sunset correctly involves skill not just a click of a button..
Skills
I think the talent of a photographer is often overlooked. It takes refined skill to create beautiful photographs. Photography is an ever-changing field, so we are always learning and finding new ways to be creative. It is about forward planning and communicating. Making people feel at ease and instructing. Coordinating large crowds and posing an entire wedding party. It requires patience and time management so the day moves in an efficient manner. Being a photographer is so much more than getting the perfect shot.
Getting the whole thing
I love to tell the story from the very begin to the end. This can mean working from 8am or finishing at 11pm. I feel it's so important to document everything. Will a friend fully commit to this on the day? Will they have a few drinks and miss the important shots? Will they know when something crucial is about to happen? Will they document in detail? The honest answer is no. Wedding photography is the first investment to think about after booking the venue. If any of the above is of importance to you, do your research and invest in a pro wedding photographer. You won’t regret it
Editing
The job doesn't finish when the last song finishes. I may leave shortly during the party, but that doesn't mean I stop working. I have thousands of images to go through. All my images are colour balanced, retouched and edited individually in my signature style. Pro software is used and these are delivered to you in a cute bespoke box along with an online gallery to share with your wedding guests and family.
Conclusion
Yes, of course it’s okay for friends and family to take photos. The more photos, the better. These photos will ultimately be what you look back on to remember the big day. After the wedding, you will only have your memories and your photos, so you want quality, professional photos. Your wedding only happens once! Professionals have the experience and know what they’re doing and what needs to be done to get the best photo. Your friends and family are attending your wedding as guests, let them be in the moment, let them enjoy it with you.
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by.
Gemma x
