Sometimes someone taking a picture during the ceremony can be really cute, but sometimes it can actually ruin your wedding photos.  If you are willing to take that chance, that’s up to you of course, but here’s a few things to consider:

This is an adorable image that I captured of the bride’s dad taking pictures during the ceremony:IMG_3847-copy

A news story with some real life examples:

Wonder how couples enforce an unplugged wedding? To start with, just for the record I’m all for unplugged for the simple reason that it’s important to me as a person to be present and focused, I feel your guests should have that, but I do also realize it’s not my wedding, so if you decide it’s not for you then I support you 100% and can work around whatever your guests do!  I would like to add that of the hundreds of weddings that I have photographed that have been unplugged, not one of my couples has regretted the decision. Back to enforcement: First things first, make it clear to your guests from the beginning, then repeat.  Any opportunity to make your wishes known should be taken.  Your wedding website, even invites can include instructions for your guests.  Spread the word among friends and family that you will need their help getting the word out.  You can be funny or formal, whichever your style, just make it known.  Signs tend to get ignored at weddings, so consider having your officiant make an announcement that you request their full and complete presence so they can feel “all the feels”.

Another thing to consider is who you hire to capture video of your wedding.  Have you seen those large steady cams?  How about one of those just inches from your face as you recite your vows during the ceremony?  Some very talented videographers may be very good at capturing footage for commercial ads, but may not have the ability, talent or correct equipment to properly capture a wedding.  The videographer you hire should have lenses that are able to zoom in from a distance during the ceremony, so they don’t become a part of the ceremony and block everyone’s view (including guests and your photographer’s view).

 

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Q:  Where should I seat my photographer at my wedding?

A: The industry standard is that the photographer should be seated in a position at your wedding where they can easily see everything that is happening at all times-even when they are taking bites of food, so that they can quickly grab their camera and take a shot if something important happens (which it usually does). Most photographers have this in their contract in order to ensure they are able to effectively capture what is happening at your wedding (in other words, so they can effectively do their job).

You may not be able to guarantee the timing of when they are fed, but if at all possible, having them served at the same time as you will also help to allow them to capture everything at your wedding.  (There is usually a large lapse of time between when the wedding party is served and when the last table is served.)

Our clients have us seated with guests, somewhat close to (close enough to see) the head table, sweetheart table, stage and/or what have you.  Sometimes we even get seated with the groom or bride’s parents, which obviously is a huge honor, but definitely not expected!

Your photographer will need to have a place to sit and have a meal, after all-we will have been with you a total of 10-12 hours that day, working very hard and we likely have not had anything to eat or drink since we left that morning, and may have had a long drive to get to you as well.

If you have circumstances that make any of the above a challenge for you, talk to your photographer so they can be prepared and offer help or suggestions.  Remember your photographer attends weddings almost every weekend, they are professionals and they know weddings.  Your photographer will appreciate you being upfront and giving them an opportunity to be prepared-like maybe packing a cooler with some food and water if needed for their team for example.  You never know-they may be hypoglycemic or have dietary restrictions, and we can all agree as human beings that everyone, whether it’s the bride, groom, parents, guests, vendors or servers should be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect.  Think state labor laws & our Constitution…..

Making your photographer feel welcomed into your space/event not only makes your photographer’s job easier, it allows them to capture better images in a less obtrusive manner.  Blending in to the situation enables them to position themselves better for better images.  It’s in your best interest to make sure the situation for them is optimal.

Another photographer’s take on this topic:  http://www.ten2tenphotography.com/where-does-the-wedding-photographer-sit-during-dinner/

Some interesting comments in a bride forum about this topic: https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/seat-for-photographer/69be8d74e0ac0a8d.html

If you have any questions or concerns about this topic, it’s a good idea to be upfront and talk with your photographer.  If you are a photographer who is new to navigating these waters-feel free to shoot me an email:  info@mhuberphotography.com

 

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Sarah Kevin Hindu Wedding

Where to begin!  Sarah and Kevin are about as sweet as can be.  I knew when we met last year that we would get along very well when they described what was important to them for their wedding.  They wanted someone that they knew they could trust to keep things moving.  They knew the schedule would be tight and didn’t want anything missed. Rather than babble on about my feelings/experience of Kevin and Sarah’s incredible multiple day wedding, I’ll just let the images speak for themselves.  Trent and I covered everything, but here are just a few of my favorites:

Getting ready:

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Baraat:

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Ceremony:

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Arrival of the Bride:

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First Look:

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Together at last:

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Time to celebrate!

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If you would like to see more, here’s the highlights slideshow of Sarah and Kevin’s multiple day wedding event:

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IMG_7326-NEW

One thing that has bugged me for years is when photography trends in image processing just take over the internet. Don’t get me wrong, I love trends as much as the next person, but when all you start to see is the same thing over and over, it eventually gets old. Image processing can have such an overall effect on the look and feel of your wedding images. Right now a very popular trend in image processing is a dark, warm, moody look. I’m so in love with this look right now, but I also remember that just 5 years ago the trendy look was overlays, about 5 years before that was overly color saturated images. This is why I’m hesitant to add that look to all of the images, because very soon that look will be out dated and something else will become popular. That’s why it’s very important to me to make sure my client’s feedback is included in the processing of their images. I want my clients to love their images for many years to come. Your Facebook post can always be changed, but your wedding images cannot be brought back to the original color that actually existed on your wedding day once that faded desaturated or black and white effect has been added. This is why I always keep and include the natural color versions with all of your high resolution images. If you decide you really love the trendy color effect that’s popular right now, you have those as well, but 10-20 years from now when you look at your wedding images, you’ll always have that option to go back to the original color version. This is also why all of my images in my galleries don’t have the exact same processing filter or action applied to them. Everyone likes different things, every wedding is unique, and trends change. If you want all of your wedding images to have a matte look, then they will, BUT you will also have all of the original color versions as well.

This look is very popular right now:IMG_7390-2

Natural is always a good option:IMG_7390-film

Black and white is pretty too sometimes:IMG_7390-matte-BW

The Matte or Film look is popular too right now:IMG_7390-matte-look

And some people like more color saturation:IMG_7390-pop

What’s your favorite look?

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