July 20, 2011

Side Note...

So a friend and fellow photographer had shared this post and I couldn't have agreed more. Just something for everyone to consider who is wanting to get pictures done by whomever they choose. I think it applies to all photography sessions, not just weddings. Enjoy!

Thanks Katherine! 


If You Want Your Wedding Photographer To Love You

Alright, I'm just going to break it down for you. Most photographers aren't going 
to be quite this blunt because they want your money... and usually to get your 
money they have to act like your best friend. Well I'm going to act like your REAL
best friend right now and give you all some good, honest advice that will make 
your photographer love you. And trust me, you want your photographer to love
you. Why? Because their entire job is making you look good.

1. Know what you want. Photographers, although awesome, cannot read minds. 
Photographers can carbon copy every couple to look like every picture, but the
good photographers hate doing that. Let your unique selves shine! Find your own 
locations that you love and have an attachment to. Bring props that you love and 
that describe you. Find poses that you love and are comfortable doing. Great
photography is a collaboration between you and the photographer.

2. Wear classy clothes, formal, artistic, or otherwise. Normal church clothes are 
not usually very classy and there is a big difference between a classy casual shirt 
and a crappy casual shirt.

3. Trust the photographer, even when a position feels awkward (unless you're 
naked and they're a creeper... which is about 89% of the photographers in Utah County). 
It's horribly annoying to photograph people who won't do what you ask 
them because it feels weird.

4. Pull out your inner model. Photographers can lie about your fashionability 
only so much. Watch ANTM, pose in mirrors, whatever you need to do to be more comfortable.

5. Don't complain. We're all in it together. We all know it's hot. We all know there are bugs. 
We all know you aren't lounging in pajamas in a perfectly temperatured 
recliner eating bon-bons. Your photographer is in charge of making you and your surroundings 
look good, not making the weather or conditions feel good. We 
know if you find it's too hot/cold/whatever to continue before the shoot is over, 
there is a good chance you'll complain again when you get the pictures and 
they're aren't as many as you hoped and then we get the blame.

6. If there is something really wrong, tell your photographer. If you just had knee surgery and 
they positioned you on your knees, fortheloveofeverything this is an OK time to complain!

7. Don't say "oh you can photoshop that out later" about something you could 
have fixed yourself or about things that aren't changeable. Your failure to lose 
those extra 10lbs is not grounds for us needing to photoshop your body to 
perfection. If you let your fiance wax your nose but instead she ended up ripping
your entire nose skin off in the process (you know who you are...), that's OK. 
Accidents happen. But, be somewhat understanding if a photographer poses you 
in such a way that minimizes the need for photoshop in every picture.

8. If your "friend" (aka, someone else's friend that you hung out with once at a 
group event one time) is a professional photographer, don't expect to get things 
for free. Free photography for good friends is one thing, free prostitution for 
someone else's friend that only calls you when they want freebies is another thing entirely.

9. Have fun with it! Photography turns out a gazillion times better when YOU'RE
having fun because it probably means your photographer is having fun too. If 
your photographer is having fun, your pictures will turn out beautiful.

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