Things Your Wedding Photographer Should Know

You count down the months until you say "I do" and are in deep preparation to make sure your big day goes on smoothly. In addition to working with a wedding planner, florist, baker and caterer, you have also enlisted the services of a professional wedding photographer. Not all wedding photographers are created equal. Here are some reasons why it is recommended to work with a professional photographer, and some of the things that quality photographers should know.

Why a wedding photographer?

It can seem like an unnecessary expense to have someone with a big camera to come out and take pictures of your wedding when there are excited family members and close friends snapping pictures away on your big day. Sure, among the large collection of beginners there are some neat, decent ones, right?

While it does not take a professional photographer to get people in line and placed for a photo shoot or quickly take a picture of your first kiss or cut the cake, it does take a professional wedding photographer to know how to capture the best moments and take the best photos . Additionally, when working with a professional Miami Wedding Photographer, he or she may be aware of what moments you want taken and the style of photos that best depict your unique personality and the special feel of the day.

What a wedding photographer should know

Clearly, a wedding photographer needs to know the basic elements of photography, such as how to use his or her camera, how to get the right distance and focus, and how to get the best lighting for a shot.

Besides these skills, here are some other lesser known things that a professional wedding photographer should know:

What should I wear. The wedding photographer must not only look neat and professional at the wedding, but also during every photo shoot before the wedding. Quality wedding photographers who take their work seriously dress appropriately to match their professionalism.

Time of arrival. A professional, organized wedding photographer will not be late for any appointments or photo shoot, and he or she in particular will not be late for the wedding. He or she arrives early and stays late, making sure that every possible moment of your big day is captured.

Be familiar with each of their customers. It is one thing to take a few pictures of a couple on their wedding day using a mobile phone camera and never see the couple again. It is another thing to be a wedding photographer who works closely with the couple to ensure that their big day is perfectly captured. A professional wedding photographer knows that each couple has different photo needs, preferences, personality and wedding mood. The photographer will take all these elements into consideration when taking photoshots and taking their clients ’wedding day.

In addition, a close relationship is formed between the photographer and his or her clients due to the many hours of consultations and photo shoot. A photographer who does not notice or seems to worry about the important things about their clients, such as their names, interests, personality and preferences for their big day, is one to avoid as he or she is unlikely to invest in your big day or take his or her job seriously.

Working on a contract. You should avoid working with a wedding photographer who is not working on or drafting a contract. Even if the professional is a family friend or is a person willing to report their time, a contract is necessary to ensure that both parties fulfill their designated portion of the agreement. A contract prevents the hiring of an unprofessional photographer who could jeopardize the capture of such an important day in your life.

Ask for and observe a "shot sheet". If you are not sure what a "shot sheet" is, it is a sheet with a list of all the moments the couple wants captured on their wedding day. While most couples want the most important moments for the bride going down the hall, the exchange of wedding rings, the first dances and reception speeches, some of the other elements like bouquet, decor and invitations can be up to the couple's discretion. As much as every couple wants to capture every moment of their big day, this feat is often unattainable. As a result, couples make a "shot sheet" to give to the photographer and prioritize which images they want. Even a couple who do not have a "shot sheet" should have a discussion with their photographer about what shots they want. The photographer must notice and adhere to this sheet.