Once you have chosen a photographer, you should communicate your expectations to them. This communication must be clear to avoid confusion and the critical portions should be in writing so there will be no misunderstanding later. The key items to cover are: the date, the time, the place, the items the photographer will deliver as well as a clear description of the style of photography.
There are many styles of photography ranging from studio portraits to action shots taken for a newspaper. Within each of these styles there is a lot of attitude, so take a moment with your photographer to explain what you like and what you don't like so they can adjust to your wishes. Note: A good photographer will take notes. They do multiple sessions each week and remembering the desires of a client for several months is difficult at best
TIP: When choosing a photographer you should look at their portfolio and ask about their favorite style then pick a photographer whose personal style matches the style you like best. This makes it easy for the photographer to get just the pictures you want because they are doing what they enjoy doing.
Once the photographer knows what style to use, they need to know how to be where the action is taking place. Just like a movie mogul, you need a script to tell the photographer what pictures to take and when. Then you should arrange the events so the photographer has time to move from place to place and be present when the action occurs.
TIP: One way to assure the photographer knows what to expect is to put them on the guest list. That way they will get a program, menu, and other items as the at lease as soon as the guests get them.
Most large events have an event coordinator. This is the person that provides the script for the event. They make sure the food, flowers, photographer and the guests arrive at the proper Time. If your event has such a coordinator, you should introduce the coordinator to your photographer before the event if possible, but no later than the start of the event. If there is no person hired for this job then you should select an individual or name yourself as the coordinator. The photographer needs someone to gather each group for the picture and make decisions about time since the photographer does not know your guests or much of your family and many photographers will continue to take pictures so long as someone poses because that is what they like to do.
TIP: Trying to be a participant in and at the same time coordinate an event is an exhausting task. The cost of a professional events specialist buys a lot of time with your guests. If that is not practical, pick a coordinator who is neither the guest of honor nor their immediate relative.
As mentioned above it is imperative that you explain to the photographer exactly what pictures you want. If you don't, the photographer will use their best judgment and may miss some photograph you would like to have. It is well known in photography circles that there is a huge difference between award winning photographs and photographs that a customer likes well enough to purchase.
One of the best ways to convey your desires to your photographer is to make a list of the people and activities that are important. For weddings you can find a suggested list on our web site. When creating the list for your event, be sure to add the names of the people beside the description so the photographer knows who to call when it is time to take the picture. As a rule of thumb, a single page single spaced typed list of pictures will result in 100 to 200 images and take one to two hours to photograph if they are all in the same location.
Once you have chosen what pictures to take, the next decision is where to take them. Look at the place where activities will occur starting with where the participants are getting ready. Is there some special location that you would like to see in the background? Is there a special place where you spent time as a child that you would like as a backdrop? Do you like flowers, trees, or a rustic wall? If any of these appeal to you then add that information to the list of instructions to the photographer. Left to their own devices, most photographers will select a location based on the available light, the lack of reflections and other distractions. While these might create an award winning photograph, it may not be a picture with any meaning for you.
TIP: If you select special locations, be sure to think about the need to get all the people to that location for the pictures. Walking 6 blocks in the July sun or December cold to get to a childhood playground may produce a beautiful picture, but will not make you a favorite of the participants nor the photographer.
TIP: When planning an event you must of necessity plan several months in advance (Otherwise the photographer, venue etc. will already be booked). If you are planning an outside event consider the weather and direction of the sun when selecting a photographic location. Taking pictures into the sun may create an great silhouette, but most people prefer to see the faces of their guests in the pictures.
When the event starts, be on time. The photographer makes money based on the use of their personal time and talent; therefore, unless you have contracted for the photographers' entire day, they may schedule another event before or after yours. This increases the photographers income, but will not work in your favor if your event gets off schedule. Since almost all event schedules slip, the photographer may have no choice but to leave when the contracted time is up even if the picture you really wanted can not yet be taken.
TIP: When selecting a photographer, ask what provisions they make for time overruns and schedule changes then plan accordingly.
When planing the event, create pauses. The bride pauses just before she starts down the isle. The guest of honor pauses as they open the door to the ballroom. Each of these pauses heightens the expectations of the guest and creates an atmosphere of excitement for the event. It also provides the picture perfect moment for the photographer. So sprinkle these pauses throughout the event. It will increase your fun and you will get better photographs as a result.
Don't smile! If you want to understand what this means, stand in front of a mirror, think about some special person in your life leaving you for a long trip then try to smile naturally. Unless you are a professional model you will have a difficult time creating a natural looking smile. If you want to look happy in the mirror or in your pictures forget about smiling and be happy! Think about the fun time you are having or have had. Think about a special place where you feel loved and happy. You face will follow your thoughts and produce a beautiful smile.
TIP: Let someone else handle the event so you can enjoy the moment. If you are concerned with coordinating the event or worried about the food, or any of a hundred other things that go with hosting a big event you will have a hard time smiling and your pictures will suffer.
And finally, the most important thing you can do if you want your photographer to get the perfect picture is ... RELAX and BE YOURSELF. If you and your guests are having fun and enjoying the event. Your photographer will capture that joy in every image and you will have pictures to treasure forever.
