Wedding Planning - A Plan for your Plan
Hudson Valley Wedding Photographer - Wedding Planning
A Plan for your Plan
Plans and lists make a wedding run smoothly. Unfortunately, we all know that things rarely go according to plan; including weddings. From an unexpected blizzard the night before the wedding (this happened to our daughter....no joke) to forgetting a pair of comfy shoes to dance the night away, what do we do to prepare for the bump in the road that's bound to come? We create a backup plan!
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1. Delegate:
- Create a list of items that you often forget and put one of your bridesmaids or close family members in charge of packing a separate bag of these "extras" just in case. (Such as flip flops or flats, an extra towel for last minute make up changes, chapstick, wet wipes, deodorant, lotion, bobby pins, etc.)
2. Appoint backups
- If your flower girl is too shy to walk down the aisle by herself, have her mother or an older girl assist her or you can appoint a bridesmaid as a backup.
3. Talk to the people/vendors in charge before the event takes place
- Do you have a wedding planner? Discuss different backup plans with them, so you are both on the same page. This gives you the ability to continue to focus on yourself when changes need to be made. Many vendors have had to deal with snafus during past jobs and are poised and ready to deal with any issues that arise.
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If you don't have a wedding planner than talk to a trusted family member or a member of your bridal party about your wedding day plans. Brainstorm back up plans with that person and let them know what should be done if changes needed to be made.
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If you have any special guests or speakers at the reception, be sure to give a list of those names to the DJ beforehand.
The most important thing to remember is to take everything in stride. If plans have to change there are people around you who can help you figure out an alternative plan of action. It's your day and should be as stress free as possible.
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The Different Wedding Photography Styles
There are a lot of terms that apply to photographic styles at weddings: traditional, photo journalistic, artistic, and contemporary are all styles that photographers use to describe themselves, and to some extent, tell you how they will interact with you on your wedding day.
Traditional photographers emphasize classically arranged group portraits, and probably have a standard group of shots that they take at every wedding. The work of good traditional photographer is beautiful, but because their process is timely, and their method painstaking, some couples find traditional portraits dull and slow-moving.
Photo Journalists take a different approach - they document your wedding day without interacting with it. This is perfect for couples who want completely candid coverage, and who naturally look perfect in every image. The downside of this is that without some direction, many of the people in your wedding pictures might be talking (or even eating), and unless you’re extremely photogenic, you may not like the way you appear in these types of images.
Most wedding photographers call themselves photo journalists, not because they have a background as a war correspondent (they probably don’t), but because documenting a day without interaction requires very little experience or training. Great photo journalists are masters with their cameras, and almost never miss a shot, but beware of novice wedding shooters who may not have the skills needed for your wedding day.
Artistic photographers capture the beauty available at weddings, and often create exceptional images from flowers, table settings, and other details at your wedding. Their angles are often unusual, which yields some dramatic and unconventional pictures, though you may not want all the images.
Contemporary photographers attempt to blend the best of the above styles with a faster pace. If they’re skilled, they can handle, arrange, and group shots quickly, blend in with your guests at the reception, and capture creative detail shots throughout the day, giving you the best of all the styles. When they’re unskilled, you’ll get the worst of all the styles. Contemporary photographers may also describe themselves as fun, but unless you like their personality that might just be a marketing word.
There are pros and cons to each of these approaches, and you’re likely to meet photographers from all of the styles mentioned. There are less traditional photographers working weddings now, at least partially because it can take years to learn posing techniques, and become a master with lighting, but also because there are less couples wanting to be heavily posed and manipulated on their wedding day.
Some couples know right away what style of photographer they want, while others won’t know what they want until they see it. This is totally fine. Any photographer you interview should be able to show you dozens of weddings they’ve shot, so that you can develop a good idea about the type of images you’ll have from your wedding.
And remember - this is a fun choice to make! Don’t get stressed out about the labels - just look at a lot of portfolios, and you’ll develop a feel for how you want your wedding pictures to look.
Wedding Contracts - Sign on the Dotted Line
Okay after months of searching you finally found the perfect wedding vendor, now what? Well, first things first you need to get the details of the services that will be provided by the vendor -- to you -- in a written contract. Yes - A CONTRACT IS A MUST with every wedding vendor. If a vendor suggests not having a contract RUN, run as fast as you can. They're not legit. Any respectful vendor will not have you as a client unless you sign a contract.
Make sure you cover all the necessary details in your contract. Your contracts should include:
1. Company’s name, address, and phone number
2. Bride & Grooms Name, Addresses, and phone numbers
3. Date and time of the Wedding
4. Services and/or products you will be receiving
a. With the bakery and florist make sure included in the contract is information about delivery, set-up, and repair. (Cakes can get damaged in transport)
b. Special requests should be noted somewhere on the contract. This is especially important when working with DJs, and Catering Halls.
5. Name of person(s) performing services
a. This is extremely important when dealing with larger DJ or Photography Companies
6. Products that will be delivered after the event and the timeline the products will be delivered by
a. This is especially important for videography services and photographic services.
7. Cost of Services and Deposit
a. If any of these costs are nonrefundable it should be noted.
b. Each item should be listed and the cost associated with it.
c. If receiving a package, package items should be listed in detail.
8. Payment schedule should be listed in detail, including forms of payment acceptable, and applicable penalties (for example, if a personal check is returned.)
9. Alternative service or merchandise in case of a problem.
Remember that a contract is a legal and binding agreement between you and your vendor. Therefore, be careful and read the fine print. If there is anything that is missing from the contract and you wish for it to be added, don't hesitate to speak up; it's your hard earned money. Make sure the contract has two signatures: yours and a legal representative from the vendor's organization. Don't leave without having a signed copy for yourself.
One more thing, as extra protection you could always pay for your services with a credit card. That way you have a means to dispute any erroneous charges.
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These are just some suggestions. All data and information provided in this article, web-site, e-mail is for informational purposes only. Myles Studio Photography, Inc. makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be held liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
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Personalize Your Wedding Photos with Props
Weddings are all about detail. From the flavor of the cake to what flowers will be used for the bouquets. It's these details that make a couples personality shine through. Here's where the props come into play. Props are used in theatre, presentations, and commercials, but it's one detail that is often overlooked when it comes to weddings.
Something as simple as old school hats or new sneakers can break up the tradition of the black tux.
Are you a baseball fanatic? Why not use some sports accessories?
Using handmade signs adds a touch of humor and playfulness.
Or you can go big and show off a few of your treasured toys.
How bout it? Are you thinking about using a prop or two to jazz up your wedding day?
*Edited to add: Supplies to make props can be found in craft supply stores, such as Michael's, JoAnn Fabrics, or Hobby Lobby. Ready made props (as well as supplies to decorate props) can also be found on Etsy, a collection of online shops for vintage and handmade objects . If you want a more mix-matched feel, hit up your local thrift shop or flea market to see what hidden treasures you can make your own.
Seven 7 Biggest Mistakes Brides Make When Hiring a Wedding Photographer
The 7 Biggest Mistakes Brides Make -
When Hiring a Photographer for Their Wedding and How to Avoid Them
MISTAKE #1 – Picking a Photographer Based on Price $$.
The saying is true. “You get what you pay for.” This is especially true in the photography industry. If you want good photography, you should decide to work with a photographer because of the overall value you receive, NOT because they are the lowest priced.
Here’s why . . . Value = Quality + Service + Price
It is impossible for any company in any industry to offer the cheapest price, have the highest quality, and provide the best service all at the same time. You can get high quality and super service, but you can’t get both and still get the lowest price.
Just like in any business, you would hire the best people and buy the highest quality product – consequently, you have to charge more for your services.
Total value is all three. Quality, Service and Price!
The most common problems YOU WILL have when you pick a photographer who only offers the lowest price are:
1. Dirt cheap photographers don’t stand behind their work. If they make a mistake or worse yet, ruin all the pictures, then the problem is beyond fixable. Or you may have pictures that are okay, but you hoped for more. In that case, there isn’t a lot they can do. The end result is you get what you pay for. A little money saved up front can cost big in the end. There’s a little saying “What cost are you really paying for - photographs you don’t like?”
2. The second problem with a photographer who offers the lowest price is they tend to also offer the lowest quality. Your wedding photos are one of your most important and valuable investments you will make in your lifetime. The value you place on choosing the right photographer will show for many years. It is a long term investment. Why risk so much and throw away such great memories for a few pennies saved up front?
3. And the third reason why hiring the cheapest photographer is a problem is that you may have to sort through the proofs yourself and insert them in an album so your family and friends can look at them. A lot of times, if you want an album, they either charge you extra for that service or they may not even offer that service at all. Cheap photographers do not offer beginning to end service.
To avoid buying on price alone we suggest you choose two or three photographers and rank them in the order that is important to you such as Quality first, Service second, and Price last. AND ONCE YOU FIND A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER . . . STICK WITH THEM! You’ll be glad you did and you will have peace of mind in doing so.
MISTAKE #2 – You think all photographers are the same.
Every photographer is different. No two are really the same. Every photographer has different equipment and has different skills, abilities, and most importantly different style. They also have different employees that all bring a complete mix of abilities to their product.
Photography is art and craftsmanship combined. Most people who hire photographers don’t truly understand that despite all the technological advances being made, photographers still use the same quality work habits and techniques as they did 25 - 30 years ago.
Contrary to what a lot of people think, photography is not just picking up a camera and clicking the shutter. It takes craftsmanship to turn out quality work.
Photographers have to know how to capture the right moment, how to compose properly, how to expose properly, how to use light, shape and form in order to get the most flattering and artistic results and poses.
Communication is the key to hiring the best photographer for YOU!
• Ask what style of work they do – ask to see some samples.
• Ask to see the wedding contract. Some will make big promises and do something else – because their contract backs them up.
• Ask to see samples from recent weddings.
• Ask them who will be photographing your wedding.
• Ask them how long it will take to see the images AFTER the wedding.
• Ask them if they retouch or enhance the final images.
• Ask them what it will cost and exactly what do you get – how many images are included.
• Ask them how many weddings they’ve photographed.
• Ask them (this is a good one) what their philosophy is on wedding photography.
Wedding photography is not a generic product. Ask these and other relevant questions and it will become obvious who the right choice will be for you. You will notice a marked difference in attitude, quality, creativity and experience. Remember, this is your special day. Do you want to hire an amateur to take experimental photos or a pro who will create a masterpiece?
MISTAKE #3 – You have several photographers competing with each other for your work.
You may think this is a good way to do business. And it is to some extent. But here is why it usually isn’t a good way to deal with photographers. A good photographer has enough loyal customers that they don’t have to deal with price shoppers.
Once you find a good photographer it is important to stay loyal to them. If you flip-flop, most photographers won’t be motivated to keep YOU as a customer.
Price is important. But price should not be more important than good quality and good service. This is what some people like to do. They try and get everyone fighting for the same piece of pie. This might be an OK short term strategy because you save a few bucks. But, when you need a favor, or super fast service – not one of these photographers will bend over backwards to help you. (And if you have been a price shopper in the past, they probably will charge you more!)
Every photographer expects to bend over backwards for their clients every now and again. Provided the customer is loyal, the photographer will do all he can to help. All good photographers are loyal to you if YOU are loyal to them.
MISTAKE #4 – You think having the right equipment is all a photographer needs to do the job right!
Many photographers own wonderful equipment. However, that doesn’t mean they know how to use it properly. You can have all the “latest greatest whiz bang lenses and digital wonder cameras,” but if you don’t know how to use it properly, you are no better off than anyone picking up a camera and pointing and shooting.
Compare this to your cell phone. Studies show that half the people who own cell phones don’t even know how to program speed dial, let alone the more advanced features. The same thing happens in the photography industry. Many photographers have tools that have a lot of bells and whistles, but if the photographer has little or no technical and creative know how, he may as well be from fifty years ago.
Make sure the photographer knows how to use his tools to the very best of their capabilities. You risk not only pictures that could have been outstanding, but worse, yet, utter let-down because of lack of technical knowhow.
MISTAKE #5 – You don’t give the photographer enough time to get the job done properly!
Mistakes happen when you rush!
Or when there are not enough instructions. You concentrate so much on getting all the details organized; you forget to tell the photographer.
Be organized! Be organized! Be organized! And communicate all the details to your photographer, and also let him know any special needs, shots, or relevant details so you will not be let down.
Before the wedding, get them involved. Let them know what your hopes, dreams and plans are. Who knows, he may have some really cool ideas that might just thrill you, or some useful tips on making sure your plans go smoothly.
You can save time, money and headaches from the very beginning by communicating with your photographer. You should think of your photographer as one of your wedding planners. Consult with your photographer.
The time you start looking for your photographer is also an important consideration. You can’t expect very many good ones to be available if you start shopping only a few months before your big day. Most of the better ones are booked way ahead of that, often a year in advance.
MISTAKE #6 – You hire an amateur, friend or relative, or unqualified photographer and expect top-notch wedding photographs.
You may have seen a top notch wedding photographer in action at the wedding of a friend or relative. A really good wedding photographer makes it look so easy, almost effortless. There is a very simple reason for this. Experience.
The biggest mistake any bride can make is asking a friend or relative to capture their day and when the results are not there, the responsibility and ill feelings can be crushing. Most, if not all, untrained wedding photographers simply cannot handle the stress and responsibility that goes along with capturing a wedding. The pace, the stress and the speed is way too much for them, let alone being creative.
There is nothing wrong with hiring an amateur, as long as you have realistic expectations, and know you are going to be getting amateurish photographs. Even a professional photographer in a different field such as commercial photography will have a rough go of photographing weddings. Weddings are tough. Bottom line. And the only thing that makes it flow and seem almost effortless is experience. Do you want to give your photographer the opportunity to practice on your wedding?
Or do you want someone who is so qualified they can handle anything that is thrown at them and they come through at the end with dynamic pictures?
Of course a photographer can’t guarantee wedding pictures because of the very nature of weddings. A wedding is an event. Once your wedding is over, it’s over. You have your photographs as your memories, so ruined photos won’t matter much even if you get all your money back.
MISTAKE #7 – You don’t ask for references.
This is easy to solve. You can ask the photographer for actual names and ask to see actual samples from recent weddings, but let’s face it; this is almost too embarrassing for most of us to do. There is an easier way. All you have to do is ask around.
So, there you have it. I hope that if you made it this far, you will have learned something in your quest to finding the right photographer for you.
This is the easiest way you can hire the best photographer for YOU!
Contact Myles Studio Photography for a fun and stress free wedding day
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