To quote Henri Cartier-Bresson, widely regarded as one of the greatest photographers of all time, “To me, photography is the simultaneous recognition in a fraction of a second of the significance of an event.” A wedding photographer has a huge responsibility on his or her shoulders because their job is to capture your mix of emotions, from your bliss to your nervous looks to your anticipation and ecstasy, all within this one event. However, sometimes there are limits to what a photographer can accede to, before your requests become a hindrance to their best efforts. Asking for All the Raw Files
At any one event, a photographer can shoot from 600 to 1500 shots. To request for the raw files regardless whether the photographer has gone through them or not, is like asking for the flour and not the finished, baked cake. Asking for Quicker Turnaround Time
Every photographer wants to complete his job and get paid; however, rushing him through the editing process would possibly compromise the quality and standard of the end product. Would you rather wait and have the most perfect photos or get quick gratification but less than satisfactory results. If you have certain deadlines to meet, be sure to let the photographer know a few months beforehand so that he or she can schedule enough time to meet your needs. Asking for a Specific List of Shots
A shot of the shoes, a shot of the bouquet, a shot of the dress hanging by the window, a shot of the bridesmaids lining up... the list goes on. Trust your photographer to already have this list in his head. Giving a long list of specific requests to your photographer will probably just distract him from capturing the real moments, while he tries to check off all the items on your list.
Asking to Replicate Styled Shoots from Magazines
Your photographer was hired for his personal style. To ask him to replicate a styled shoot you saw in some bridal magazine will not only result in stiff and awkward poses but will also be asking him to copy another person's art. Asking for Heavily Photoshopped Photos
Photoshop is undeniably a part of the photo-editing process. However, it is one thing to ask for the zit on your forehead to be removed and quite another to request for your flabby arms, your stomach, your thunder thighs and even the mole on your chin to be edited out. In the end, your own family and friends may not even recognise the bride in the photos! Asking for Discounts
In a previous article, I mentioned how photography is really an art. Asking for a discount not only undermines the photographer’s professionalism, but is an insult to him as well.
Asking to Imitate Pinterest Photos
To create a beautiful photo, natural lighting, timing, angle and even the emotions and thoughts running through the subject’s mind all play a part. To want your live photoshoot to look exactly like your pins on Pinterest may prove to be quite an unrealistic expectation.
Written by Kally Tay
Edited by Priscilla
* Kally Tay is a writer who used to be a bride from Annabel Law Productions and a friendship blossomed with Bel after her wedding. She loves to share her knowledge of being a mum and her corporate experiences though her blog at Middle Me.
