Wedding Photos – 5 Tips for Getting the “Biggest Bang for Your Buck”

Hi there, I’m Kathleen Kinser with JoPhoto Photography and I’m today’s guest blogger! 

Working with your wedding photographer is an important part of your big day.  The more you plan and communicate with your photographer, the better your pictures will be because your photographer will know your wedding vision, what type of pictures you like, and what to prepare for when photographing your wedding day.

Here are a few important tips to help make sure you get the biggest bang for your buck:

1. When looking for a wedding photographer, look for a photographer who includes a disk with all of your wedding photos, rights to re-prints, and an online viewing gallery.  This allows you to have all of your wedding photos, and you will be able to print them yourself without additional fees to the photographer.  The online viewing gallery also allows you to more easily share your wedding photographs with friends and family.  Many photographers offer different types of packages, and some packages do not include photos on a disk or an online viewing gallery.  Other photographers include the disk in their packages, or a disk is an extra fee.   All JoPhoto packages include all edited photos on disk, rights to re-prints, and an online viewing gallery.

2. In the months leading up to your wedding, as you are flipping through bridal magazines and going to bridal shows, note wedding pictures that you see that you like.  Begin creating an “inspiration file,” and show the pictures to your photographer so they will know what type of pictures you like (traditional, artictic, contemporary, etc).  This will help increase the number of photos your photographer takes based on your style, so you get the most out of your wedding photographs.

3. Send your photographer your wedding day schedule.  What time will you begin getting ready, and where? Send them your wedding coordinator’s contact information, and any other pertinent information including maps and parking.  This will ensure the photographer is always at the right place, at the right time.  They will also be able to review the schedule to make sure you have planned enough time to get all of photographs that you want.  This helps you maximize time, and allow more photographs to be taken on your wedding day.

4. Schedule as many photos as possible with family and your bridal party before the wedding.  Let your family know what time to be at the wedding location for these photos.  If you wait until after the wedding, it may take too long, and everyone will be rushed.  Use the time after the wedding to get pictures of you and the groom.  By doing this, you will get the most wedding pictures, and you won’t be in a rush.

5. Create a “shot list” for your photographer for the “must-have” pictures you want taken on your special day.  It’ll be one less thing to worry about, and your photographer will know exactly what pictures you want (in addition to the other pictures your photographer will take throughout the day).

JoPhoto provides affordable, creative & beautiful wedding photography in Knoxville and the East Tennessee area. With nearly 10 years of photography experience, wedding packages start at just $450.  Visit their  Wedding photography website at www.JoPhotoOnline.com.  To set up an appointment, please call Joe Atkins at (865) 363-3805 or e-mail Joe@JoPhotoOnline.com.