Everyone from the bride and groom to the wedding coordinator wants your wedding to go off without a hitch. Because I play such an important role in the use of your time on your wedding day, I recognize that it is part my responsibility to make the photography at least flow smoothly.
Often times we will ask for a shot list if we feel that it will help us in the end to facilitate some very tricky maneuvering. And there are many weddings where a shot list is completely necessary because of divorce or family dynamics. My personal preference is to have a shot list for the formal portraits. Every family is different and some family members are no longer with us, therefore the standard shot list of family groups and sub-groups is necessary to coordinate the formal portraits in a respectful and timely manner.
You also want to inform your photographer of important traditions you may be paying homage to, special objects of affection that you may have with you that day or special relationships that you want to respect.
If you are hiring your photographer to tell the story of your day as it unfolds however, the photographer must be free to capture anything that draws their attention or spurs their emotion because the humanness of those moments are the ones you will cherish the most. It is after all the shared human experience that we are capturing.
Some couples just want a photographer on their wedding day to document the day but its my desire to not only document your day but your experience. When looking at photographers make sure you hire one whose photos excite your emotions and make you feel but also a photographer that moves you. You are not only hiring a person with a specific skill set or talent but also a person in which you must be able to bond. Trust is of utmost importance so you must have a rapport to build on. You should feel at ease in their presence and enjoy them as much as they enjoy you.
In the end, any portrait artist can paint a portrait and any person with a camera can release a shutter. Look for the artist who can capture emotion in the portrait and the photographer who can engage you in such a way that you are certain that you can work with. Then allow them to gain freedom for their art through trust and respect. You will be surprised at what the freedom of creativity can produce.
Often times we will ask for a shot list if we feel that it will help us in the end to facilitate some very tricky maneuvering. And there are many weddings where a shot list is completely necessary because of divorce or family dynamics. My personal preference is to have a shot list for the formal portraits. Every family is different and some family members are no longer with us, therefore the standard shot list of family groups and sub-groups is necessary to coordinate the formal portraits in a respectful and timely manner.
You also want to inform your photographer of important traditions you may be paying homage to, special objects of affection that you may have with you that day or special relationships that you want to respect.
If you are hiring your photographer to tell the story of your day as it unfolds however, the photographer must be free to capture anything that draws their attention or spurs their emotion because the humanness of those moments are the ones you will cherish the most. It is after all the shared human experience that we are capturing.
Some couples just want a photographer on their wedding day to document the day but its my desire to not only document your day but your experience. When looking at photographers make sure you hire one whose photos excite your emotions and make you feel but also a photographer that moves you. You are not only hiring a person with a specific skill set or talent but also a person in which you must be able to bond. Trust is of utmost importance so you must have a rapport to build on. You should feel at ease in their presence and enjoy them as much as they enjoy you.
In the end, any portrait artist can paint a portrait and any person with a camera can release a shutter. Look for the artist who can capture emotion in the portrait and the photographer who can engage you in such a way that you are certain that you can work with. Then allow them to gain freedom for their art through trust and respect. You will be surprised at what the freedom of creativity can produce.
