THROUGH THE EYES OF A Wedding PHOTOGRAPHER

Congratulations on your engagement! The proposal was epic and you are head over heels and planning your dream wedding in Malta.

If we may, let’s take a moment and rewind back to when we were children! Think about the number of times throughout your life hearing a comment made about the day sometime, in the future, you will marry and celebrate with an amazing party. Your wedding is something that is mentioned or referenced countless times from your younger years, well before you have found “the one”, let alone feeling ready within yourself to take the leap with your partner in crime.

The Importance of Photography

Now let’s fast forward and you are now married to the love of your life. The day was glorious, the sun was shining, as it mostly is in Malta, and you are still riding the newlywed-high. Some parts of your day are so fresh and vivid that you struggle to distinguish them from reality, while others are a fleeting thought. After the dress, the flowers, the food and alcohol, the music, the hire cars, the hotel and the various other aspects that made your day that extra special, aside from our own memories, your photography and video are the only tangible reminders of your big day. And an incredible day it was! Think of your wedding is a jigsaw puzzle, and each piece is a separate vendor, a memory, a special guest, a feeling and every single one of these pieces matter in shaping your celebration and make up the entire picture. So, let’s for a second think of your photography as the piece in the middle. Without the right photographer, you may as well remove that very piece and boy, does its absence stand out. All that effort and a piece is missing.

Which photographer is the right photographer for us?

So, today, let’s talk about photography, how to select the right photographer and ensure that you and your partner have a photo to reference each beautiful moment that occurs on your wedding day, some of which you weren’t even present to witness yourselves. Just like music, art and architecture, photography is a form of creative expression and it is subjective. Think about it, give 10 photographers the same brief and each one will come back with something different. This is because visual artists see the world through their own life experiences; it’s all about perspective. So, with the large number of photographers out there, who do you choose? How do you choose? Are you attracted to someone’s work because of their style/visual aesthetic, do they capture candid moments so well that you can’t even remember them snapping away on your wedding day? Are you a couple who likes being in front of a camera and want your images to look like they are straight out of a wedding/fashion magazine or are you the complete opposite and the more candid, the better?

These are just a few things to ask yourself. But we believe what is equally important, is whether you get along with them. After all, most brides and grooms would preference a good experience with good photography over good photography with a pushy, potentially rude photographer. Of course, this ethos applies to any of your chosen wedding suppliers, however, you will be spending the most time with your photographer/videographer than any other vendor. So, we want you to make the decision that is best for you.

If you are working alongside a wedding planner, they will be able to recommend a few photographers to you. This is helpful because your wedding planner has very likely vetted their recommended suppliers, after all, their work ethos, professionalism, and demeanour ultimately reflect themselves as a wedding planner. So, it’s in everyone’s best interest to have the best people working with you as one big creative collective on your wedding day. So, let’s take a moment to delve into a few points to consider when choosing the right photographer for you.

Personality 

Naturally, you need to feel comfortable and get along with everyone contributing to your wedding day and your photographer is no different. Their personality and the way in which they interact with you and your guests is everything. Your chosen photographer is someone you should simply gel with, almost like an unofficial bridesmaid there to help in any way. They are personable, professional, insightful, and fun to be around but can also politely direct guests or provide guidance on how to stand to showcase your best silhouette. They are someone who can read a room and simply understands what people need, a person that is accommodating and adaptable, someone who is time efficient and can honour timelines along with being able to deliver a memorable experience that is nothing short of positive.

Professionalism and Experience 

It’s quite clear when you meet someone and instantly know that they are knowledgeable in their field and above all, trustworthy. Most of the time, experience is evident in the details. Your chosen photographer is one of the first vendors selected by couples, after your planner and ceremonial/reception venue (if different) are selected, the photographer is one of the next vendors couples typically try to secure. As a result, photographers are quite involved in the planning of your day, in particular the timings between each section of your wedding day. Us planners are in constant talks with our photographers regarding the scheduling of the day and consult them to ensure there is enough time for them to achieve the desired outcomes requested by couples. Photographers understand the wedding planning process and any good photographer will be conscious of how timing or ill-timing can have a flow-on effect and impact the the day’s events and respective vendors (e.g. the ceremony or the kitchen serving the entree). Sometimes, having to make up for any time lost whilst taking amazing images for you. Their minds along with the wedding planner are across the whole day and it is this level of understanding/teamwork that makes your day run like clockwork.

Pricing and Inclusions

Professionals alike, photographer’s costings/packages are influenced by their skill set, years of experience and behind the scenes expenses. Some have greater expenses, some have less. For some, photography isn’t a full-time occupation, for others, it is their livelihood. Typically, with your photography and video, a large aspect of work is dedicated to after the wedding, where the curating and editing takes place. In fact, having spoken to our photography suppliers, they have all mentioned the editing process can take 3-4 times the length of the wedding day coverage. So, minus the cost of equipment, travel, insurances, taxation, software, storage subscriptions and the list goes on, a 10-hour coverage can amount to 30-40 hours of work. Affordability is certainly a factor all couples should consider. Make sure you compare apples with apples. Does your package include 1 or 2 photographers? A second photographer helps with separate preparation locations and provides secondary angles/sections of the day that would be entirely missed if it were for the job of 1 person. How will you receive your images? Is there an option to share your wedding photos with family and friends without the hassle of printing and postage? Is there a cap on the number of images provided? All of these questions are not only valid but also answers you should receive before making a decision.

We hope this entry has provided you with an insightful understanding of how integral your chosen photographer is and how they should benefit your day. We will continue with another entry regarding your wedding photography in future posts and delve into more detail. Should you be planning your wedding in sunny Malta and wish to discuss your wedding plans in more detail, we, Sarah Young Event and Wedding Planners are here to help. With over one thousand events up our sleeve, we are the premium planners of the land and will make your celebration in Malta as perfect as you imagine it to be. Thank you from the team at Sarah Young Luxury Event and Wedding Planners.