If there is one occasion that everyone wants to celebrate with
photographs, it is their wedding. It is an occasion that every
one wants a degree of professionalism, and many people want to
ensure quality. Therefore there are many opportunities for a
photographer to make money, if they are willing to cover
weddings.
A contract for wedding photography is very important, go to your
local library and have a look at sample wedding contracts and do
not forget to include a disclaimer. Your disclaimer should
clearly state that you are not responsible for photographs that
do not come out for equipment failure, which is not your fault.
You should also use a disclaimer to say you are not responsible
for photos misplaced as a result of sending the film away to be
processed. You definitely do not to be sued for breach of
contract on your first job.
Before the wedding has started, you should have in writing how
many photographs need taking, and be aware of the cost of
processing, and the cost of the albums. All that is necessary is
that you estimate how long the session will take and add your
hourly rate to the figure. Pay special attention to specific
requests of the families, they may have a long lost cousin,
coming, and they particularly want separate photos of them. It
is important you can talk with each family well before the
ceremony and establish exactly what they require. Remember that
a lot of the guests will also be recording the ceremony, or
aspects of it, so avoid unnecessary competition, get as many of
the photographs done before the ceremony as you can. Be aware
that some venues restrict the places that you can photograph
from, so make sure that you are fully aware of this before the
ceremony. It is important that you pick the correct vantage
point before the ceremony. Do your homework properly, because
verbal referrals will be very important for you from this type
of business.
Before the ceremony make a complete list of all the photos that
will be required. Here is a fairly standard list PRE-CEREMONY:
Bride with her mother Bride with her father Bride with both
parents Groom with both parents Bride with her immediate family
Bride with grandparents Groom with grandparents Bride with maid
of honor Groom with best man Bride with flower girls, etc. Groom
with ushers The flowers Any other special requirements. JUST
PRIOR TO CEREMONY Groom’s mother entering church with usher
Bride’s mother entering church with usher Groom’s father
entering the church Bride with father, about to walk down the
aisle Any other special requests. WEDDING CEREMONY Bride’s and
groom’s attendants as they walk down aisle Bride with father
walking down the aisle Bride with father approaching groom at
altar Shots of wedding party at the altar Shots (if permitted)
of bride and groom at altar Bride and groom kissing Bride and
groom leaving altar Any other special requests. POST-CEREMONY
Bride alone at altar Bride and groom at altar Bride and groom
with bride’s family Bride and groom with groom’s family Bride
and groom with minister, priest, rabbi, etc. Bride and groom
with wedding party Bride and groom kissing A photograph of the
bride and groom’s hands, entwined with the wedding ring. Bride’s
attendants (all) alone Ushers alone Any other special requests.
RECEPTION Entry of wedding party Different shots of guests
(table to table) Different shots of guests not at tables Bride
and groom dancing Parents of bride and groom dancing The wedding
cake Bride and groom cutting the cake Bride feeding groom Groom
feeding bride Best man’s toast Bride and groom kissing Bride
tossing the bouquet Groom removing bride’s garter Groom tossing
the garter The band The servers The “getaway” car, especially if
decorated Bride and groom driving away in car Any other special
requests.
Not every wedding you cover will want every type of photograph,
but it will be a good idea to write down a list of what is
required, for your first few weddings, because if you forget,
you cannot organise a re run. Also you must remember that it is
a sentimental day for many people, and there will be
opportunities for unusual photographs, keep a watchful eye out
for the child guests, at some point the possibility of an
unusual photograph is going to present itself. Weddings are all
fairly standard, but most people like to add a reminder of
poignancy or humour. It will be a good idea to get yourself
invited to the wedding rehearsal, that way you can meet the
guests, and be more comfortable with them on their big day.
The film is a large outlay for a wedding, but most people will
be prepared to pay up to 50% before the day, which will be
sufficient to cover your expenses. Do you use digital or film,
for the big day. Digital photographers can use Photoshop to
enhance your wedding photographs with such techniques as
hand-tinting, flaw removal, montage, changing images from color
to sepia and black and white, and much more.