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After you have selected the best videographer and photographer for your wedding, there are a few things you can do to dramatically raise the quality of your wedding video and photos.  After communicating what you are looking for in your photo/video package.  Challenge the artist in a vendor by asking him/her, “So now what are your ideas so that you would want to use my video/pictures in your marketing after the wedding?”  After that exchange the vendor is going to go the extra mile because you gave him the opportunity to create a situation to perform some of his best work based on your preferences. I personally would love for a bride to ask me this question.  This article is dedicated to answering that very question.

Your dream wedding: Help us help you

Ask if the location you have chosen for your ceremony is ideal for taking bridal photos.  This will give your photographer/videographer a chance to give you input on maybe choosing a more photogenic location.  This will keep the photographer from feeling like he might offend you by making a suggestion to take pictures at a different location.  It’s that very reason why many times vendors just “make it work.”  I have been to several weddings where we took the couple 5 minutes from the ceremony location and got some really beautiful photo/video pictures.  If you plan to do this ahead of time, for an extra 15 minutes, it could totally change the quality of your photo and video.

Communicate to your planner that you want her to work with the photo and video team to make sure they don’t miss anything.  A planner can get tunnel vision sometimes, focusing on keeping things moving and on time and that can sometimes compromise moments during your wedding.  For example, if there are going to be toasts at the reception, the planner can give the team a heads up so the first person toasting isn’t captured in the middle of his comments or missed altogether.  Or we can get in place for the cutting of the cake instead of jostling for position at the last minute because the planner just walked the couple over and began cutting.  I’ve had some photographers ask the couple to re-enact the cutting because they missed it.

Your dream wedding: Coordinate timeline planning

Some of the most creative moments occur before the ceremony.  Try to have as much time as you can to work with the photographer in taking photos.  An hour after you are dressed is ideal.  The location plays a vital role in your photo and video.  Make sure your location isn’t trying to cram as many weddings as they can on your day.  I’ve had weddings where the couple was told they have 15 minutes for pictures.  I find that unacceptable, you should too.  If your location is too time sensitive, consider getting dressed elsewhere and traveling to the location before the ceremony, this can make for a more relaxed atmosphere because you aren’t rushing to get settled, just so you can start getting ready.  Finally, discuss contingencies in case something does happen, the limo is running late or someone in the bridal party is late.  You could shift bridal pictures to a different time during the reception.  Agreed upon time-shifting ahead of time is a lot easier to execute, again this is better than, “just making it work.”

Your dream wedding: Lighting is key

The better the quality of light, the more rich and vibrant your images will be.  A flash doesn’t fix everything.  A lit room with flash will create beautiful photos, but a dark one with flash can make you look like your standing in front of car headlights.  Hotel rooms can be dark, consider an area that’s open and has good lighting.  Many hotels have bridal suites that are perfect.  A good photographer can manage this, but remember we don’t want to manage, we want to maximize.  During the reception consider having many low lights versus a few bright lights, this will allow you to maintain the ambiance without compromising your images.

Your dream wedding: Points to remember

All you have after your wedding is your images.  These little changes and considerations can make an incredible difference in your photos and video.  The images you see in our marketing materials that helped you decide in choosing us, are the weddings that took the above information into consideration.  Make sure your wedding is one we want to show off because in the end it benefits you the most.

Milas King