tips & tricks for the brantford bride

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There are so many options and elements that go along with the photographing of your wedding! You could easily sit with a potential photographer for an hour or so, just chatting about the possibilities.

I visited a large wedding show in S.W. Ontario and were dumbfounded by the number of excellent photographers on display there. Being absolutely drawn to art and beauty, I was naturally compelled to ask a million questions. And brides, it's all here for you...

These are some of the questions I asked...

What are your prices?

(there is no point in talking to someone who's minimum rate is $3000 if my budget for photos is $2500)

From what I saw this weekend, prices begin at approximately $1000 (this doesn't usually include prints of any kind) and go as high as $5000+ (the whole 'shebang'). Things that can affect the price are the date of your wedding, number of locations, number of hours, the wedding albums and print you order, the styles you're looking for, the popularity (aka availability) of the photographer, and more.

What type of training/accreditation can a photographer have?

Photographers can be trained at college and then start out on their own. They can also learn by becoming an apprentice under another 'big named photographer', learning the tricks of the trade by accompanying them to weddings and being taught all of the different techniques.

Photographers also have the option of becoming PPO (Professional Photographers of Ontario) member, which means that they submit their work to be reviewed and competed against.

There is no reason to say why any one of these different types of training are better than the other. The reason I say this is because just about all of the photos I viewed were amazing but often in different ways. Each photographer has his/her own style, specialties, and approach to photographs. Some are beautiful portraits, some look like they walked of the page of Brides Magazine and others were more daring with a bit of an edge.

How far ahead do I need to book a photographer?

Depending on the photographer, weekends can fill up rather quickly. For a single photographer operation, there are only so many Saturdays in a year (52, to be exact), so anyone in demand could end up needing 12 or more months advance notice. If your wedding is on a day other than Saturday, in the off-season (winter  tends to be less busy than spring/summer/fall), or more than 8-12 months ahead, you should have an easier time booking the photographer you really want. Always call to check, however, because cancellations do happen.

What type of new artsy options are available these days?

So many different options on the styles of photos.

• colour vs. black and white

• portrait/posed vs. candid

• traditional vs. contemporary

• black & white with painted/digitally added colour

• unique locations such as photos standing in water, in the middle of

the road, pumping the gas tank of a vintage car

• traditional beautiful outdoor locations such as parks, gardens, etc.

• inside photos in your church/chapel/reception hall

• photos can be created with different borders and rendering

• different types/sizes/colours/makes of albums are available - including albums made of aluminum and glass

• so much more...

Would it be cheaper to hire a friend of the family who is particularly handy with a camera?

Cheaper - likely. Better - not necessarily. You have nothing after the last guest leaves, except your living memory and your photos or videos. These are what you will be showing your children/future children, what you will give to your parents as Thank you gifts, and what you will look back upon in future days. Often.

Your friend may be handy with a camera but your odds of getting the dream photos you imagine in your head, are not good. There is a reason that professional photographers come with a price tag. If your photo budget is extremely strapped, try hiring a photographer for their smallest package and then allowing your friend to compensate with his/her own camera aside from that. You could also add throw-away cameras on each of the tables so that guests could take shots as well (these won't turn out very well if guests are having a few drinks  beforehand!). Otherwise, if preserving your memories is a priority, make cuts in other areas of your budget to compensate for more money where you want it most.

Should a couple preserve memories in video?

Absolutely, a video is a terrific addition to your library of memories. Just remember that you need room in your budget, and that you still want to document the day with photographs.

- Jennifer Goulden, TheWeddingRing.ca