Ladies, avoid the urge to tan too deeply for your wedding day.  While a slight bit of color is usually flattering to most skin types, overly dark complexions resulting from excessive tanning can cause problems with your photography.  Not only does this look unnatural but it can also effect how your gown will photograph. We will want to show your beautiful gown with all of its gorgeous details in your photographs.  In order to do this we must avoid over exposing light colored materials because this will wash out the details in the image.  So, if we shoot to get detail in your gown, (less exposure for the photo), your skin tones will be too dark if you tanned excessively. 

In order for your skin to show up correctly it would require more exposure for the photo because of the deep tone and more exposure would wash out the gown details in the lighter colored materials. The bottom line is that you should be natural or only tan lightly for a slight hint of color if you tan at all.  This will produce the best results for photographing your gown and your complexion.

Family groups that are photographed at Church following the ceremony consist of the Bride and Groom, any children they may have, parents, siblings, and Grandparents.  In other words, family group photographs at Church consist of immediate family members.  Our time for photographs after the ceremony will be limited in order to keep you on schedule for your reception arrival time. Therefore, it is in your best interest to keep family group photographs at Church limited to immediate family. It is wise to inform these people ahead of time not to leave after the Ceremony so that the photographs with them can be completed.  You may even consider appointing someone on each family side to round them up when the time comes.  The Bride, Groom, entire wedding party, and all family to be photographed should gather in the Church 5 rows or so back from the front immediately after any type of receiving line and/or bubbles, rice toss, bell ringing, etc.  The family groups are usually shot right after the bridal party so that they will not have to wait very long.

Cosmetics with Sparkles

There has been an increasing trend for the Bride, Ladies, and little Ladies in the bridal party to wear various cosmetic products with glitters and sparkles.  These products can include make-ups, foundations, eye colors, loose powders, gels, and/or lotions.  Please beware that these products with glitter and sparkles contain metallic particles and may not photograph well.  They can reflect the light in strange ways at times showing up as white, silvery, or colored dots and specks on the skin in your photographs.  While the sparkles may look pretty to the naked eye, they may not be portrayed that way in the photograph.

Why? What happens is that the metallic particles reflect the light source, especially strong directional lighting such as sunlight and camera flash lighting.  The metallic flecks act like tiny little mirrors producing unflattering white dots, light colored specks, and/or colored specks on the skin.  It is impossible to predict when or how these specks and discolorations will appear as the reflective quality can vary significantly with as little as a very slight turn, movement, or change in angle.  Imagine the photographs or film images you have seen where the sunlight reflects off of the water surface and you see the bright, spectral highlights that are produced.  It looks like diamonds or bright spots reflecting on the water. This comparison although more intense is similar to the effect of what happens when the lighting reflects the metallic flecks on your skin.  The specks and sparkles can be small in scale but still be recorded by the photographic equipment and show in your photographs as white, silvery, or colored specks or spots.  The effect is also similar in comparison to the way that sequins or shiny metallic beads on dressy clothing will catch the light and be recorded in a photograph as a bright white, silvery, or colored circle or shape.

The only way to fully prevent this is to avoid wearing products/cosmetics that contain glitters, sparkles, or have a metallic “look” or sheen to them.  Any photograph taken has the possibility of showing these spots, specks, colors, or reflections if products are used that contain glitters or metallic particles.  Any image which is chosen to print that shows spots, specks, or discolorations resulting from using glittery/sparkly cosmetics will be printed as such unless hand retouching to remove them is specifically requested when the print order is placed.  The cost for individually hand retouching these images varies from $25.00 to $35.00 per image depending on the severity and time involved in the retouching process.  Any retouching fees are are in addition to the normal cost of the print.

The most important thing to look for when hiring your photographer should be that you absolutely like their work and style.  Photography is a very emotional and visual medium.  You should not hire someone out of desperation or only for price point.  Just like you know when you find that perfect wedding dress, you will know when you find the photographer suited to you.  You should be very comfortable with them. Talent, skills and style come with experience.  You need to personally view work samples and albums.  Check to see if they have a website online and if so, check it out.  Make sure that the work that you see displayed, whether it is on a website or from viewing sample albums, was done by the photographer that you are speaking to and that if you hire the company, you will get the photographer whose work you saw and want. That last statement is very important.  You don’t want to fall in love with the style of a particular photographer only to have a different one from the same company show up to photograph your wedding.  Equally important is that you are comfortable with them and confident in their abilities to provide you with what you are seeking.  Good Photographers get along well with people and will make others comfortable.

   It will show in your photographs.  They are creative, well mannered, appropriately dressed for the occasion, courteous, and respectful.  Their personality should be warm and friendly, never arrogant, rude or demeaning.

At first it may seem like an impossible task to find the photographer that is right for you.    One of the best resources at your disposal is to ask your friends, family members and co-workers for their advice and referrals. They can provide some of the best information to you from their past experiences and observations.  Bridal shops, local wedding service vendors, and wedding related businesses can often guide you and be great sources to help you. Any professional will tell you that the best advertising they have is “word of mouth” advertising.  When they do a good job and clients are satisfied, the word spreads. Their reputation is built upon their work and past dealings with clients.  It is this reputation and cumulative experience that becomes their greatest asset for future business.   Many professional photographers will advertise in your local yellow pages and phone books.  Often website information is also listed within these display ads.  You can then visit their website to see if you like their work before calling them.  This is also a handy way to check work style if you are out of town and/or state and planning your wedding long distance.  

Do not try to save money by having “Uncle Joe” photograph your wedding.  There are many reasons for this.  It isn’t fair to put that kind of pressure on Uncle Joe.  Imagine how horrible he would feel if something went wrong. If something does go wrong or malfunctions, then what?  Is he bringing two of everything just in case that should happen? Professional equipment is expensive and the photographer should ALWAYS have backup equipment in case of accidents or malfunction.  Having a nice camera does not qualify him to be a wedding photographer.  He can’t be a guest and enjoy himself while performing a job at the same time.  Did you invite Uncle Joe to your wedding as your guest or to work?  Make no mistake about it, wedding photography is demanding and requires constant thought, observation, creative skills and good equipment.

While price will most probably be a concern for all components in your wedding planning, it should not be the determining factor for your wedding photography.  You will find all price ranges when researching and checking.  Each photographer will have their own unique system and packages and each will offer different services and items.  You can not compare apples with oranges.  You must evaluate different photographers and their prices based on the combination of their work, and talent, experience, and abilities, personality, and creativity coupled with the physical products and what you will ultimately receive.  The total value for all of these factors will be your final summary for each individual photographer.  Only then can you decide which one is best suited for you.  Some of the factors to consider in relation to various pricing are fees and expenses which the photographer incurs as well as the talent and skills of the photographer.  All of these expenses are figured into the pricing of various packages offered by the professional.  A photographer who uses professional grade equipment, supplies, processing labs and album companies can not be compared to a photographer who uses consumer grade equipment and supplies, super market or discount store print processing and discount store album supplies.  Again, it is like comparing apples and oranges.  When you speak with and personally meet with the photographer, these factors should be discussed.  The quality of work and product offered, talent and personality of the photographer can be evaluated at this meeting.  Always meet the photographer in person when at all possible before hiring them.  Questions should be answered completely and to your satisfaction.  You should receive copies of any contracts and receipts for services purchased through the establishment.  Documentation reflecting everything included in your purchase, reprint pricing, and other services and options is also important to have and retain for your records.

The bottom line is this:  You have put a lot of time and effort into planning your wedding day to make it memorable, special, and beautiful.  The day will fly by in the blink of an eye and be gone all too quickly.  Memories will fade and the only physical thing that you will have to relive and remember your day will be your photography and video.  Choose wisely.

Author: 

Diane L Maxwell 
DLM Photography 
 02/23/03