Is Your Wedding Photographer a Trouble Shooter - New York Wedding Planning Guide, Directory

IS YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER A TROUBLE “SHOOTER”?

by Katrina Hajagos, Katrina Photography

Okay, breathe. Your make-up is impeccable. The flower girls are adorable. Even your mother is behaving. It’s forty minutes to show time, the moment you’ve fantasized about since you were a little girl. All eyes will be upon you as walk down the aisle in your fabulous Vera Wang wedding dress. The only problem is your bridesmaids are having a hell of a time doing up the button-back closure of said dress. It wasn’t a problem at the final fitting weeks ago, but now butterflies have hiked up your chest dimensions a notch or two. You look around for a source of authority. Mommy, Daddy, the Priest. No luck. You look to your wedding photographer in desperation, who is documenting this little flurry of anxiety. “The crochet hook,” she says after lowering her busy Canon. You start to relax. Where would you be without your savvy wedding photographer?

It’s an old trick I learned on the job (closing button-backs with a crochet hook) and it’s something I’ve mentioned to brides on occasion. The point of this little anecdote, however, is not the alternate use of crochet hooks but the fact that your wedding photographer is the only professional presence that will be with you from beginning to end. Because of this unique roll, wedding photographers have seen it all, and as a result, they have observed what solutions work and what don’t.

Over the years I have learned that my job as a wedding photographer has far overreached the mere taking of beautiful pictures. I see my role sometimes as a casual consultant. Because I’ve experienced hundreds of weddings, I understand how these momentous occasions progress, the coordination of countless little details, the etiquettes. In meetings with clients, a good wedding photographer may prove herself valuable beyond the beauty of her work. Sometimes it’s in the subtlest of ways. Here are several pointers to keep in mind when choosing a wedding photographer:

Have an idea of the style you’re looking for.
Spend time looking through the many wedding magazines available as well as websites to forge at least an inkling of the photographic style you want. Bring clippings to a meeting if you like. A good wedding photographer can help you formulate the style you’re looking for, but it’s a good idea to bring in a kernel.

Make sure the chemistry’s right.
I can’t stress this enough. You should feel altogether comfortable with your wedding photographer. Even if you love the work, if the connection isn’t there, don’t commit yourself. After all, she will see you at your most vulnerable. From the jitters to the joy, she’ll be at your side, clicking away, encouraging you, and, hopefully, providing a calming presence amid the whirlwind.

A second photographer.
No photographer can be in all places at once. My wedding packages always offer a second photographer. I simply believe that the day is too important to risk missing any special moments. If you’re going to scrimp, don’t scrimp on this. The results will be well worth it.

Remember, in the end, a wedding is a celebration of love and a day to remember for a lifetime. The less you have to worry about, the more you will give yourself over to the occasion. Avail yourself of the wealth of knowledge wedding photographers can offer.