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PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
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PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEOGRAPHY
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A well made wedding album will be the
key to unlocking your wedding memories for years to come, so choosing
a great photographer is very important.
We'd like to extend a special thanks to Ron from Ron
Wimmer Photography in Milwaukee, WI for supplying us with
the following helpful tips to use when choosing your photographer.
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| 1. How should the studio or photographer
be selected? |
One of the best ways is
to ask friends and family for referrals. Who have they worked with
in the past? Once a few names have been gathered, appointments should
be made. Visiting each studio or photographer is the best way to sample
each studio's work, style, and services. Every studio is different.
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| 2. When should we sign the
contract with a photographer? |
| Plan on beginning your search
for a photographer nine months to 1 year before your wedding. Many
popular photographer's schedules fill up quickly so the earlier you
start, the better chance you'll have of getting the one you want! |
| 3. How does the studio or photographer
price their photography? |
Some studios price everything
a'la carte; everything is purchased separately including the photographer's
time, wedding album, pages, and photographs. There can be many hidden
costs. It is often much simpler to choose a photographer that takes
the complete package approach, as we do at Ron Wimmer Photography.
Our packages are all inclusive. You pay one price for the wedding
album with the finished portraits, as well as the photographer's time
and services for the day. You know what you are paying up front, with
no hidden costs.
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| 4. What kind of photography
coverage do I need on my wedding day?
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| Do you want complete all
day coverage? (strongly recommended) Or do you want only limited coverage
(ceremony and altar formals only.) I strongly recommend that couples
get complete wedding day coverage which includes the following: Pre-ceremony,
Ceremony, Altar Formals, Park Photos, and Reception Coverage. Why
complete coverage? There are only three things that you leave your
wedding with-- the ring on your hand, your spouse on your arm, and
that album of photographs. Full coverage will enable you to capture
the entire day's events so that you'll be able to look back and savor
the memories forever! |
| 5. If your prices change before
my wedding day, do I pay the increased prices? |
Some studios constantly change
their reorder prices or album print prices. Be sure that the prices
are guaranteed at the signing of your contract.
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| 6. Do we need an engagement
session? Why? |
| I strongly recommend that
all couples have an engagement session. This is a great way for a
couple to see how they are photographed and interact with their photographer.
The photographer gets to know the couple and understand the likes
and dislikes of the Bride and Groom. The engaged couple also has the
opportunity to use these photographs for newspaper announcements.
(Moms love these!) |
| 7. Who will be photographing
my wedding? |
| Be sure that you know exactly
who will be photographing your wedding, and who's work you are viewing
in the sample albums. Be sure to take the time to meet with your photographer
to establish a rapport. You'll want to be sure that you are comfortable
with both their ability and personality! |
| 8. Does the photographer carry
backup equipment? |
| Any good studio or photographer
should carry doubles of all equipment. Ron Wimmer Photography carries
doubles of everything as well as 3 cameras. |
| 9. What film format does the
photographer use when photographing the wedding? |
| There are currently two different
film formats that weddings can be photographed with. One format is
35mm, the other is medium format. 35mm is limited with its grain structure
for enlargements (8X10's) as well as the small 3-1/2X5 images which
are used in the wedding album. 35mm film tends to be contrasty and
grainy. Medium format is the ideal format for wedding photography.
The negative is 2.5 times larger than 35mm. When enlargements are
made they don't have to enlarge them as much therefore reducing the
graininess of the finished portrait. In short, the medium format gives
you better quality for the photographs in your album as well as any
enlargements. |
| 10. What photographs will be
taken at my wedding? Do I have choices? |
| Any studio or photographer
should provide a photo check list to the couple as to what photographs
will be taken. The bride and groom should also have a request list,
a list of photos that the bride and groom would like to have. |
VIDEOGRAPHY |
It wasn't too long ago that
wedding videography wasn't even an option for couples. Today, however
most couples at least consider hiring a professional videographer.
Videography isn't a substitute for photography, but it can capture
many things that a still photograph cannot such as the joyful laughter
of friends and family or the vows recited during the ceremony.
There's no doubt about it, good videography is an art. It takes special
skills to hold the camera still, frame a shot correctly, and be able
to check the lighting and sound. Professional videographers can offer
all this plus the option to have your wedding videotape edited. The
editing process will eliminate any boring or tedious segments and
will add nice transitions such as fade-ins/outs between the ceremony
and reception. Take a look at the list below for more pointers to
hiring a professional videographer.
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- Ask for referrals from a prospective videographer and be sure to see some example tapes for yourself.
- Check whether the videographer will use one or two cameras? The use of two cameras will allow for a much greater variety of perspectives. For example you would be able to see the bride's face as she makes her way down the aisle as well as a shot of her train trailing behind her.
- Shop around for service and price. Prices vary a great deal among professionals, take care not to sacrifice quality work for a bargain price.
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