- The eye of the photographer - do you like his photographs?
- What is his style – formal, informal, reportage, does it suit your own style?
- Quality of his work / prints / albums.
- Personality...does you like him?
- Budget...make sure you are comparing apples with apples when it comes to price.
- Service...what are you getting for your money?
- Experience...does he have sufficient experience?
- Premises...is he operating from a permanent location or rented space?
- Don't take chances. You can't retake the photographs so make sure you get a qualified professional photographer who is a member of a professional organisation with his / her own studio.
- Look at lots of photographs by the photographer. Make sure you see complete albums and not just the best shot from lots of weddings.
- Look at how the bride's dress is arranged. You want a photographer who knows how to do this quickly and properly. You will spend a lot a money on you dress. You want it to look stunning.
- Look at the family shots. Inexperienced photographers will often fail to organize groups properly resulting in awkward and unsightly arrangements.
- Leave enough time. As a general rule you need to leave roughly 4 hours from the start of the ceremony to the start of the meal plus driving time. This may seem excessive but it is better to have a little extra time to spend with your guests instead of having to rush and maybe miss out on some photographs.
- Have a Plan B. If you are planning an outdoor location for your photographs consider the possibility of bad weather.
- Consider the time of year. If you are getting married during the winter months remember it might be dark as early at 3.00 pm. A wedding at 1.00 pm or 2.00 pm may mean little or no outdoor photography.
- Finally...pick the photographer you like the most ...he or she will be inches from you on the most important day of your life
CLOTHING
- Keep things simple in terms of colours and patterns – avoid multi coloured or heavily patterned items which can distract the eye
- For more formal portraits consider a plain shirt or something with a collar
- For more contemporary portraits consider a simple white or black tee shirt
- Bring a couple of changes
- Longer sleeves tend to suit adults
- Classic beats fashionable every time
MAKE-UP
- Normal make-up if fine – do not put on extra or apply heavier than usual
- Please bring some make-up with you for touch-ups during the shoot
- We can book a make-up artist for you – additional charge applies
HAIR
- Your normal hairstyle will be fine. If however, you decide to get a haircut give it a week to settle in
- Always bring a hairbrush
SPECIFIC ADVICE FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN
- Avoid giving advance warning to your kids – children may get very excited or alternatively very apprehensive
- Book a time of day that suits the child – this will enhance the process
- If the child has a favourite toy feel free to bring it along
SPECIFIC ADVICE FOR BABIES AND NEWBORNS
- Pick a time after a nap – when energy levels are best
- Please avoid sessions within a week on any inoculations
- If the child has a favourite toy feel free to bring it along