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As a wedding photographer in the leafy county of Surrey, south-west of London, I often found myself having to deal with unexpected alterations to the weather, amongst other things. It is part of my work that I must be prepared for all eventualities - a wedding day is such an important occasion and to get it all wrong would be unforgivable.

A guest at one of the smaller nuptials for which I had been hired as the wedding photographer, taking place in Guildford, on a glorious summer’s day, strolled over to give me his opinion of the best way to photograph a wedding, as I was packing away my equipment after taking the formal shots beloved of so many couples, with family and closest friends arranged in a charming, if somewhat stiff, group on the rather narrow steps of the registry office.

Usually, I tried to show no sign of ever having been approached in this way before, although I don’t think I have ever done a wedding without at least one guest trying to give me a last-minute course in wedding photography but, on this occasion, I was unable to contain my amusement and I found myself asking the rather portly gentleman in question whether it was my appearance that gave him the impression I needed instruction, or his belief that the couple who had hired me as their wedding photographer had been mistaken in so doing.

Naturally, the gentleman was very apologetic and I assured him that, far from resenting the advice I received from wedding guests, I often learned something that I might easily have missed - if not about taking photographs then at least about the way people view the subject of wedding photography in general.

It has been a long time since I was a wedding photographer - the last of my students is due to retire soon, which might give you some idea of just how long - but I still take a keen interest in the weddings that take place in the areas that I used to frequent and in the wedding photographers who handle both registry office and religious weddings.

In some ways, nothing much has changed about weddings over the decades and yet, in other ways, things have changed quite a lot since my day - one of the most popular wedding photographers in Surrey today, and deservedly so, is a young ex-Northern woman (well everyone is young to me, it’s true, but I suppose she must be in her mid to late twenties) whose name, I am told, is Kat Hannon. Her background as a photographer is extensive and she brings her skills in reportage to her wedding shoots in a wonderful manner.

My nephew came over with his laptop the other day and showed me the most remarkable series of pictures which, I have no doubt, will be pored over by the couple themselves and future generations too, with pride and fascination.

Obviously, I told him, this must be a very famous couple - perhaps it was a sign of encroaching senility that I didn’t recognise them. Young William laughed and told me that, far from being famous, this was the wedding of his next-door neighbours in Leatherhead. The bride is a secretary and the groom a computer systems analyst, apparently, but you would have been convinced, or at least, I certainly was, that they were the stars of some first-class drama production - a romance, undoubtedly, or something of the kind.

Just as I was wondering whether traditional wedding photography really had become a thing of the past, an absolutely excellent formal group shot of the wedding party came up on the screen. Isn’t the Internet marvellous? I don’t think I will ever quite be able to take it for granted! Somehow, Kat Hannon manages to combine reportage with traditional wedding photography and produce a truly wonderful way for a couple to look back on this important moment in their lives.

There were some wonderful intimate shots of the bride and her attendants, applying last-minute mascara and laughing at some aside, that nervous tension in their faces being completely absent in the next shot. There was an excellent photograph of the happy couple when they clearly thought themselves unobserved, grinning into each other’s faces like a pair of children who had managed to sneak out of school - if it were my wedding, I must say I would have been thrilled with the photography and I did experience the tiniest pang of regret at being past my sell-by date, but only for an instant!

Kat Hannon is a wedding photographer in Surrey, south-west of London. She specialises in a reportage style of wedding photography alongside the traditional, more formal style of picture. You can find her work at www.kh-wedding-photographer.com

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Most people will say that wedding photography can only be captured by a professional with a keen sense for creativity. These emotions will only be available over a short duration and can not be recreated. Most brides will first wonder how much does a wedding cost, before figuring out how much does a wedding photographer cost. I will tell you this much, you will usually get what you pay for. This includes the creativity and time spent to create something unique. A professional wedding photographer in Michigan works very hard to preserve these once in a lifetime events.

You want your wedding to be perfect, and nothing is more important than the images from your big day. You will look back on these photos ten or twenty years from now reflecting on these precious memories. What do you expect from your wedding photographer? Do you want something simple, or something truly customized to your needs? This is a question you will have to ask yourself before finding out how much a wedding photographer will cost.

How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost

Well have you decided on what you are looking for yet? Before you do, you will need to understand the difference between cheap and good. I am sure you heard the slogan, ‘Cheap is not good and good is not cheap’. You will usually get what you pay for. As mentioned earlier this will be reflected in the time and energy put into your wedding day.

Knowing that your memories are on the line, you will have to feel comfortable with the wedding photographer you hire for your special occasion. Do you get the vibe that they will be able to deliver on your wedding day? Can they handle the expectations you have set for them? The best advice is to look over their portfolio and see if you notice any trends. If you do, then you are probably dealing with a cookie cutter service that does not step outside the sphere of influence often. Another biggie is recent references from brides within the last six months. These people will be able to tell you how they felt about their decision and the wedding photographer you are considering.

Cheap Wedding Photographers in Michigan

Buyer beware, there are many part time hobbyist out there that claim the title as a full time devoted wedding specialist. When looking over their portfolios do you notice color and emotion? Do their pictures tell a story about the day as it unfolds? Some different poses and indoor outdoor shots will give you an idea of the imagination of the vendor you are working with. This has to be one of the most important aspects of the choice you make. For example, many cheap wedding photographers in Michigan might not carry this trait. If they do, then their prices may be set low to acquire business because of a lack of referrals. You will have to do the investigating to figure out how their prices compare and what is the reasoning behind their pricing structure.

Average Wedding Photographer Prices

Many brides to be will consider price their deciding factor in going with a photographer. This is a big no no when it comes to hiring the company that can make or break the entire evening let alone day. Going back to what we said earlier price should be the least important factor. Now I would like you to think really hard for one moment.

Do you want your wedding reception and wedding ceremony pictures to be average?

Honestly, no bride does. Your wedding is different from all the others being planned. So how does your photographer set him/herself apart from the competition? Do they bring additional assistants to get more than one perspective? What is the turn around time on the proofs? To help you distinguish between the average and the exceptional, I have laid out a couple of helpful tips on how to choose a wedding photographer below.

Final considerations for a Wedding Photographer in Michigan

So there are several important questions you should be asking before going out of your way to pick the perfect wedding photographer. A couple of final considerations are the type of lighting your photographer will be using, the equipment/filters, how many assistants, and photo copyrights. Now that you have been given some great advice on how to choose a wedding photographer, it is up to you to make the final decision.

So, if you are looking for a creative and professional wedding photography company in Michigan, then keep in mind the following advice and you should get outstanding results.

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What to look for in your wedding photographer

There can be a lot of confusion for the recently engaged couple on what to look for in their prospective wedding photographer. Questions can range from what the photographer will wear at the wedding to whether the photographer photographs with film or digital cameras. Planning a wedding can be a stressful and confusing process. The following guidelines will help soon-to-be brides and grooms make an informed and solid decision regarding the employment of a wedding photographer.

How important is a wedding photographer?

At the end of your wedding day, the things that are going to still be with you are your memories and, hopefully, beautiful wedding images that will help you relive those moments for the rest of your lives. Therefore, hiring a wedding photographer is can be compared to hiring a personal historian– someone who will help document and record the tears, the laughter and the joys of the day. Entrusting your memories to a professional wedding photographer may very well be the most important decision you make in all of your wedding planning. Therefore, all care should be taken in ensuring that the professional you select is talented, skilled and fully capable of delivering the finished product.

Finding the right wedding photographer

1. What style of photography to you like? Do you and your fiancé prefer a primarily photojournalistic and candid approach or is a more traditional style more to your liking? Would you like your photographer to perform extensive post-production to your images (such as color tinting a black and white photograph) or do you prefer a more organic enhancement of your images?

2. How many photographers do you want providing coverage of your wedding?

Many photographers bring second-shooters along to help cover the wedding. Other photographers prefer to work alone and feel confident in their abilities to provide full coverage of the wedding solo. Talk with your fiancé about your preferences and whether or not you want an assistant to accompany your photographer.

3. Are your negatives and/or digital files included in the package?

Many wedding photographers now include the negatives and high resolution digital files in their packages but there are a number of photographers who do not. If you’re working with a budget, you may want to look for photographers who offer the negatives and/or files as ordering prints from a photographer could cost you a lot of money.

4. What sort of photo album are you looking for?

Wedding albums range from the simple to the extravagant. Some photographers will offer a simple linen album that holds approximately 50 4×6 images. Other options are Flush Mount albums or Coffee Book Table albums. These albums can cost anywhere from $600 to $2000. Review your photographer’s samples of wedding albums and talk about what you’re looking for.

Remember, being informed gives you the tools to make a good decision about your wedding photographer. Knowing what you’re looking for before starting your wedding photographer search will save you a lot of time and help you be confident that you’ve made the right decision.

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