The wedding preparations are in full swing and while you’re giving it your all planning your lehenga, the colour scheme for the decor and catering menus, it is your wedding photographer who will be capturing all the beautiful moments during the shaadi. These will be the memories that will be with you forever. Here we have for you all the things every bride must keep in mind before she finalises on the all-important wedding photographer.
1. Same photographer for both sides or different
First and foremost, you need to know whether you and the boy’s side are sharing the same photographer or not. Discuss this point with your fiancé’s family and plan accordingly. Common photographer also means the cost gets divided and that way you could settle for a photography team based on the budget.
2. Types of photography
Decide on the kind of photography style you want on your wedding as every photographer has their own strengths and weak points. Candid photography is spontaneous and no one will be expected to pose for the same. This kind of photography requires a different kind of a skill.
Traditional photography, on the other hand, is the one where the photographer tells the bride and groom to stand holding the varmalas so that they can get those perfect posed shots.
3. Do your research
Once you’ve decided on the type of photography, the next step is to do your research and find a photographer who is experienced in his field and fits in your budget too. Talk to members of your family who’ve recently got married and ask them for recommendations. Once you have a few names with you, check out their work on various social media platforms and read the reviews posted on their page.
4. See the full wedding albums
When you have finally shortlisted a few photographers and decide to go meet them, make sure that you do not only see the portfolio that they have made as that will have their best shots on display. Instead, ask them to show you full wedding albums of two or three weddings done by them, as that would give you a fair idea of their overall work.
5. Check their availability
Of course the first thing you ask them should be whether or not they’re available on the dates of your wedding functions. Their dates get blocked quickly so make sure you do this well in advance.
6. Keep the time of the function in mind
There is a lot of difference between day and night photography. Before finalising your photographer, let them know the timing of your functions as there is a vast difference between natural light and flash light. And if you are having a day wedding, check with them whether they have ever shot one before, and take a final call only after that.
7. Discuss videography with him
Apart from wedding photographs, even the wedding video plays an important role. Ask your photography team whether they will also be doing the videography. Or else, you’ll have to get a separate videographer on board and the budget will have to be divided between the two teams.
8. Finalise the total cost
The package should be finalised beforehand. You and your photographer should have a clear chat of the total cost of the service and there should be nothing left to be discussed later. Make sure that your package includes them giving you the edited pictures, and their raw versions too.
9. Extra cost
Additional equipment like the drone, props for a photo booth and LED screens need to be provided to you by the photographer. There should be no confusion later on regarding who needs to be the one arranging for all of it.
10. Communicate openly
Be open with the photographer and let them know what you have in mind. Your photographer needs to know all minute details about your wedding as he needs to capture all the moments. If you and your fiancé are planning to surprise your guests with a romantic dance, make sure you discuss this point with your photographer as they will need to make suitable arrangements to capture the moment.
11. Destination wedding
If yours is a destination wedding, discuss with your photographers whether they will be making his own travel and stay arrangements or you would be bearing the cost of the same. Also, talk about how the various props will be carried to the destination and whether there will be any problems or additional cost in carrying the same by flight.
12. Copyright issue
In your contract with the photographer, check who has the rights to all the pictures – is it with them or with you? Usually, the photographer has the right to the photos and they can use the same for promotional purposes. If you and your family are not okay with this, let them know the same before the contract is made and signed.
13. Delivery date and payment terms
Set a clear time frame as to when the photographer should be delivering the photographs to you. Ideally 2-3 weeks after your wedding is when the photographer should start sending you glimpses and shots of the wedding. Discuss this timeline before finalising. Also, ask them how much deposit they need in advance to block the dates, and when they expect to get the balance payment.
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