Love That Bridal: Schnapps and Clicks

When you're looking for a photographer, unless you're partial to your Fstops and Apertures, the main deciding factor will be your budget.

quirky photos make for great life-long wall art.

Photography will be one of the most expensive parts of your wedding, with wedding packages averaging from $1000-$3000.

I've said it before, if you're spending money on your dress, then spend the same on your photographer! What's the point of having a gorgeous dress, if you don't have gorgeous photos to remember it?
Same goes with venue, cars, hair, make up, flowers - all of these things add up, so be sure your photographer is there to capture it all. Your wedding photos should tell the story of your day.

Clouds and Rain are a good thing on your wedding day, just look at this photo.

There is such a thing as a bad photo, and yes, a bad photographer (well, not bad, but inexperienced). You don't always get what you pay for when it comes to photographers. The best way to go about choosing your photographer is to look at their work, and if you like it, then discuss with them your options for having them as your photographer. Every wedding is different, time, locations, and even the level of interest of the photographer will all come into play when it comes to cost. Now you might be confused at the "level of interest" part of that. The opportunity to photograph a Circus wedding over a "typical church wedding" will hold more interest (to some), and so they may be willing to work down the price with you. The circus wedding in a photographers portfolio may well earn them a ticket up the photography-ladder, so brag! Yes, brag to about your wedding to potential photographers.

I had to share this one, city life! A cheeky kiss back up in the hotel room. Don't forget, to take time with your photographer during the whole day/night for photos.

this is a very popular type of shot, it's a silhouette of the bride during preparations in front of an open window. it's a very dramatic shot, showing off the shape of the dress.

It has become popular to "simplify" your wedding to avoid the "wedding price tag". I am so against this - there is nothing interesting about a "small wedding, just want the disc only" emails I get. But, when someone drops me a line about "We'll ride in on the elephant before we head over to dance with clowns and ride off into the sunset on a tandem bicycle" - that's the wedding I want! And I want it over any other photographer in Adelaide, so I'm going to give you my best price.

an intimate close up to capture the emotion of the bride looking into her grooms eyes.

It also comes down to what you like, the style of the photography. Is it fun and playful, candid, intimate, bright, black and white, journalistic, posed. Try to be objective when looking at photos that you like, and write down "inspiration words" to describe them, use these with your photographer.

Another thing to keep in mind, is that other than your spouse, the person that will be with you all day, will be your photographer. Make sure you like them!

a clever capture, the groomsmen all with their heads down, adding focus and light only on the groom.

Here is a great site to keep your eye on for photographers, have a scroll through the wall photos, and familiarise yourself with photographers work that you like. If you see there name pop up a few times, and you're drawn to their work - get in touch!

A soft and romantic portrait, not all posed photos look bad and this is proof.

Who Adelaide In Focus.

There are literally thousands of photographers in Adelaide, ranging from amateurs to published professionals.
Who Adelaide Bride Guide has put together a list - *Photographer List*

How Much Should We Budget?

When starting out, it is hard to know what wedding photography costs, because photographers are not prone to advertising their prices. An important factor to remember is that any price quoted will be a starting coverage or package price only. Every wedding is unique, as is every couple. Generally, the prices between different photographers reflect their qualifications, experience, skill, and creative style. The quality of the overall product and level of service will also vary with price.
Basically, like many services, you generally get what you pay for. Therefore, the more paid, the greater the quality of photography and professionalism.

make sure your photographer is familiar with your venues prior to the wedding so that you utilise it's beauty.

Most photographers will have a starting package or coverage which allows for the time that will be spent together on the day and will either include a basic amount of photographs in a basic album (package) or a credit that will go towards an album afterwards (coverage). Starting amounts are usually around $1500 and generally will provide only about 20 to 30 photographs. Remember these are basic or starting amounts only, and generally do not include all the extras you will want. Also, generally 20 to 30 photographs is not enough photographs to tell a full story of your wedding day, so most couples want more and better than the basic album.

A windy day provides a beautiful capture of movement in the brides veil here.

you can feel the brides emotion.

You won’t really know what and how many pictures you will need until you see the images, so you need to budget for the extras of additional photographs and a better album. Prices can range anywhere up to $5000 for a full photography package. Great photographs are hard to resist. A decision to employ a photographer based purely on price however, and not skill, generally ends in heartbreak, so think carefully before choosing a cheaper option. You will invest a lot of money on a wedding and all will be for only that one day, except the photography. This will be the one thing that you will have forever that will bring all the wonderful memories of that one day back. If money is an issue however, organise to get a better photographer, but spend a little less time with them on the day and choose a few less photographs. It will be the quality photography you remember, not the cost.

oh, and have a little FUN!

Good photographers use the best equipment, it's the best quality but it also comes at the highest price. Even though you may only see them for about 15 hours before, during and after the day, they will also spend at least 30 to 40 hours producing your album. You really though, are paying for the value of a photographers style, experience, qualifications and expertise and not just for time, materials and overheads.

there's no need to be serious all day!

How much time should we set aside for Photography?

The amount of time will vary with each wedding, however it is a good idea to discuss with your photographer what would be appropriate prior to booking your church and reception times. Things to keep in mind are the size of your bridal party, family, length of service, travel time and what locations you have in mind to travel to. You will need around one and a half to two hours free photographic time (excluding travel) after the service in order to do family groups, bridal party and your more personal shots at one or two locations.

If you're into your iPhones like these guys, then let your photog know! This is a fun capture!

Tips On How To Avoid Frustration And Achieve Great Photographs

Establish an open communication and discuss what you want and what can be achieved.

Be on time, so plan well and allow extra time for unexpected delays.

Rehearse the ceremony and work with the priest to obtain professional photographs, ask your photographer if they would like to be included in the rehearsal. Allow enough time to comfortably do the photography (usually one and a half to two hours).
Plan the times and meeting spots with family for the photography locations to avoid delays and disappointment with missing people. If you've seen a photo you adore in a vineyard, park, beach etc, then discuss this with your photographer and arrange to have photographs taken in a similar location!

During your portrait session (allow around 2 hours) use your surroundings, explore, have fun. This groom took his bride into a cafe!

Plan transport for family and bridal party to get to these locations quickly. Be sure to include your photographer in these plans too.
Don't allow family and friends to shoot in front of the photographer as it spoils your professional photographs.
Organise some drinks and snacks for the photography shoot and bring them with you. An esky in the back of the limo/car will go a long way to keep everyone happy. Or, stop in at a cafe for a quick snack!

for gelati!

Book a professional makeup artist and go for a trial. Ask to keep the makeup a flat base to avoid shine. Don't do it yourself, be pampered on the day. Not all make up photographs the same. Some oil based make ups come up shiny and are reflective, others just simply don't last all day.

and just how adorable is this wedding photo, and so unique!

you might attract a bit of attention, but that's ok, it is your wedding day. Don't be afraid of the attention though, embrace the spotlight.

be silly! dance, laugh, smile and joke.

don't shut your photographer out of the room, even when brushing your teeth. Photography is about capturing moments in time, and they can happen ... any time.

So you spent a fair amount of money on dress, don't be afraid to get down and dirty! Lay on the beach, the grass, the picnic table, jump on the car, let the dog come for a cuddle - after all, you're only going to wear it once.