You know that looking at your potential wedding photographer’s album is key, but what other questions should you be asking? We’re going to spend some time over the next couple of weeks looking at specific questions you’ll want to ask potential wedding photographers and why they are important. Today we’ll tackle why it’s important that your photographer scouts your location ahead of time.
You’ve checked out, in detail, the location of your wedding and reception. You know where the ceremony will take place, how long it will take you to get to the reception, and where the band, the cake table and the gift table will go. You have, in short, scouted out your location.
And your photographer should do the same thing. They should, if at all possible, also head up to your venue ahead of time and check out all of the details that can make, or even break, your wedding photographs.
Why is this scouting trip so important?
A couple of reasons.
As a wedding photographer, I want to know what the light is doing at the time of your wedding. There’s nothing worse than people squinting in photos because they’re facing the sun. Or missing out on a great shot because my exposure wasn’t set right.
So, I always head up to your wedding venue location at the time of day your wedding will take place. That way I know if there are any highly reflective areas that might create flare or harsh light, I know what colors I can expect to see, as well as how the background will absorb the light.
I want to know all of the possibilities for backgrounds that we can use in your photographs.
Most couple choose their location because they connect with the look and feel of the place. It’s my job to make sure this is reflected in the photographs.
By going up early, I get a sense of the venue and can discover different backdrops that will give your photographs a complete feel for the place. And there’s always the chance that I’ll run into a local who’ll give me a great insider tip or happen upon an idyll setting.
On one of my scouting trips I found a beautiful backdrop on a golf course adjacent to the wedding site. I talked to the course officials, got clearance and we were able to sneak in between golf parties to get some fantastic shots. The couple ended their day with some great shots they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
I can introduce myself to the reception site staff when everyone is calm and focused.
Naturally, the day of the wedding is a bit hectic. And it’s probably not the best time to be making initial introductions to the staff I will be working with all day.
So, I use the scouting trip as an opportunity to meet the staff, answer any questions they may have and get all of my questions answered. By doing it beforehand, we can take the time to go over details and make sure everyone is on the same page.
I can get to know the details of the place and get all of my questions answered ahead of time.
Are there enough power outlets for all of my equipment? How many extension cords will I need? What’s parking situation like? How long will it take me to get from Point A to Point B?
These are questions I need to get answered before the big day. That way on your wedding day I am focused totally and completely on the task at hand – taking memorable, excellent photographs. I don’t want to be worried that I’m running behind because the parking lot was further away than I anticipated…
The best way to make sure that everything goes as planned is to plan ahead. And for a photographer this means checking out the location ahead of time.
Sphere: Related ContentWhat do you see at www.seanolearyphotography.com?
