Many years ago being a photographer was a bit like being a wizard, or non-creepy magician; nobody had any idea how you created the magical results you got and if you were taking photos in some of the smaller villages in East Anglia you were in danger of being burnt at the stake by villages accusing you of stealing their souls. Now almost everyone knows how to pick up a camera (well let’s face it, a telephone) and can ‘snap’ a photo with almost no effort and zero planning. So planning sucks right? Who needs to plan photos if anyone with a plastic lens glued to a phone can capture a magical moment? You may have already guessed which way I’m going with this, and you probably think I’m going to bitch about how everyone these days thinks they’re a photographer. Well you’re wrong. Maybe. I LOVE the planning of photos, here are just a few of the reasons why.
First impressions count…
This is certainly true for any photographer when they are pitching for work, but first impressions are a two-way street. I love the first time I meet a new couple; I wanna find out if you guys might be up for some of my crazier ideas (http://www.akexpressions.com/wedding/photobooth/). When I walk away from the first meeting with a couple I haven’t met before I can be fairly sure how much fun we’re going to have on the wedding day; sure we’ve got a few minor details like contracts and deposits to get nailed, but I know as well as you do that we’re both focussed on one thing - A FUN WEDDING!
Second impressions are cool…
Once we’re up and running we like to do a wedding pre-shoot. These sessions are very relaxed and give us a chance to chuck about some ideas while getting some excellent photos that’ll be perfect for Facebook bragging and ‘save the date’ fridge magnets (seriously!).
Third impressions are…. well you get the idea
By the time we’ve had a good nose around the wedding venue together we’ll be pretty good friends; you’ll know how easy we’re going to make things for you when it really counts. Because we’ve put in the time to get to know (really, the pleasure is all ours) then you can chill on your wedding day. Obviously we’ll be working our nuts off checking and loading gear, preparing for anything up to sixteen hours on our feet, magically being in five different places at once. What’s that saying about Swans and how they seem elegant on the surface when it’s all kicking off under water? Well we’re like that, although you’ll have to get to know me a LOT better before you find out if I’ve got webbed feet.
By the time you’re off on a honeymoon adventure somewhere (or just drunk off your arse on a beach getting sunburnt) I’ll be editing your images and uploading them to my site so you can get a chance to ask me to remove the shots of Aunt Gladdice groping one of the bar staff.
When you’ve recovered from your honeymoon (and preferably stopped peeling) then your wedding will be ready for you to view. Good times!
So there you have it; is planning your wedding photos dull? Of course not, especially if the planning is much of a riot as I’m going to make it for you!