Photographyblog, Annabel Williams, Making the most of the wedding!

The birth of digital photography liberated us in many ways and has given all so much scope to shoot shoot shoot and shoot some more.

The danger for the bride, groom and photographer, is an overwhelming set of images that might over-face the most enthusiastic of clients.

Firstly consider the customer, present a varied range of images which might hit the three hundreds depending upon the type of wedding - but many more I feel might be a little unfair for everyone!

Heart breaking for the photographer, as rejection is not great for anyone certainly hard for us creative photographers who place their heart and soul into photography.

And secondly for the client as they may be in danger of feeling they have just lost a great deal of their wedding day. This is just a personal viewpoint, but one worth taking on board.

The methods used to present images has been such a great debate, as we are all searching for the most effective, and efficient method that not only works for the client, but importantly works for the business too. As a rule, we prefer the slide presentation utilising Microsoft expression media which is simple, easy to use and very adaptable. Find a system that suits you then refine what you do, as the focus must always be on the client and not on the technology you are using.

My motivation when creating the perfect environment is for the bride and groom and secondly the business and the business’ reputation. Building a great experience for the client will give them a talking point - this is the final stage of their experience with your business, so it’s a vital stage. Reliving the wedding day, together with your guidance on the photos, can be totally rewarding and emotional for both you and the client.

Set the scene for couple by creating the total experience - take a bottle of champagne with you - they will naturally appreciate your attention and the fact that you are extending the wedding celebration as seeing the images for the first time is a big moment for the client.

For over a decade now we have preferred to do the wedding viewings within the client’s home. A question we are frequently asked during training seminars is should both sets of the parents be present at the viewing. Our advice wherever possible is try to avoid this, as the viewing than can become complicated, as both sets of parents might have differing budgets, the parents might talk the couple out of images that they do not see the value of. However, it may be worth investing the time to do three viewings, as that maximises your chances of gaining three orders, and the right level of order for each customer. Then no one feels difficult within the situation!

Make those magical moments last for your bride and groom - select a track of music, perhaps something of your choice, or use the first dance track the couple selected on their wedding day, as this is a really nice touch. As you are informally chatting and catching up on gossip and news, we would set up the projector screen and sales tools (prints etc) not forgetting the box of tissues!

Tears of joy often flow, for you and the client. With any music, always listen to the words first! Play through the images sit back, listen and watch and enjoy the moment yourself too.

Make note of what they are saying, and actively listen, as they will give you clues all the time, to the images of real significance.

Take the client through the image selection process with a goal to achieve the ultimate album.

We have worked with Queensbury for many, many years. If you are not familiar, treat yourself and go and look at their website, very inspirational!

In the early stages of your career you can gain a great deal from looking at images, within albums, the flow of images, style and structure. Take time out often to do this as it can be so very rewarding. For me it is all about the client and the process you take them through, keep it simple and focus on the client, they should select with you tapping into your expertise with regard to images selected and the range of images. Once you are all comfortable, talk through the design concept and which images are significant.

Be bold - take full credit card payment and make this a golden rule. It will make all the difference for cash flow and enable the business to function effectively. Don’t be tempted to alter the rules as it is the cash flow rules that keep you business afloat. Having credit card payment options will make all the difference to you and the client!

And finally ensure you allocate the right level of design time as these are the best moments, where the fun starts, the joy of designing a album. Give yourself time, as it cannot be rushed and it the most visual statement you business will have.

It is what people will book you from in the future. It is such an important reference point of why the client booked you in the first place. Imagine how many people the bride is going to share the album with, from best friends, to girl friends, work and family. This is a brilliant advert for your ability. So the design time you give yourself is so very important.

To keep the momentum going take time to design a nice card, while the album is being produced as this might take up to eight weeks. Sending the client a nice card incorporating an image from their selection will naturally have pride of place. This will also reassure the client that their beautiful album is on its way.

As soon as you know the albums completion date, inform the client and arrange a delivery date and time. Wherever possible, deliver the album personally as I clients really value your presence and indeed it is your big moment - your moment to shine, listen and learn from the client’s feedback.

This is important for your own development and progress, as a photographer. It will make a real difference on many levels.

Biography

http://www.annabelwilliams.com

Catherine Connor is Annabel Williams' business partner, and MD of Contemporary Photographic Training. Catherine's meteoric rise in the often chaotic, always exciting photographic environment comes from an unusual springboard grounded in the world of international corporate management. Her infectious energy never fails to motivate those around her, and equips her with an organic understanding of market direction, fashion trends and lifestyle management.

Catherine is first and foremost a people person; her unique sense of fun, determination to succeed and boundless commitment to her industry make her a born mentor, allowing her to impart to all delegates a wealth of skills and knowledge pitched perfectly at achieving the vital balance of confident ability and self-worth.

It is Catherine's passion for her subject that makes learning from her a pleasure, which her students can then take forward, and are able to apply so effectively to enhance their skills.

All images in this article © Annabel Williams

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Photographyblog, Annabel Williams, On the wedding day

The Church

As soon as you are in the church remember the guidelines the vicar has given you; check your camera settings in relation to the light, take stock for a second and quietly capture as much as you are allowed.

An image that often means so much to the bride and groom is the first shot of them walking down the isle after they have been married.

If you are concerned about them blinking, capture a few images when they are looking away from camera, chatting and acknowledging their friends, as these make wonderful images for an album.

As soon as you have what you need here dash outside and make sure that you and your camera are ready to capture the couple in the doorway, a wonderful image. Watch the light; keep them within the shade of the church if you can, a top shade gift.

When the bride and groom step into the church grounds encourage them away from the church front to prevent a line-up that would delay the wedding day completely.

A really great tip is to guide the couple to a photogenic area of the grounds with shade, to ensure that all of the images you gain of them greeting their friends are captured in the most flattering light. This is not always possible, and sometimes you have to just go with the flow. Start with the bride and groom, then add the bride’s family, then the groom’s family, then encourage both families together, lastly adding the friends, capturing each image as you go, as speed is of the essence.

Confetti

Watch the time, you will know when the bride and groom are due to leave for the reception so just before this liaise with the bridal car driver, tell him you are about to do the confetti shots, so he is ready too. He will really appreciate the consideration.

Look for the bride maids; give them the nod, as you want to get as many confetti carriers as possible. To a degree you are setting up the shot, trying to get everyone into the right position, it will not always pan out as you had hoped but wherever possible make it happen in a relaxed manner. Shot as many images as you can here, as with all action shots a large proportion will end up in the trash. Capture the confetti on the floor, the atmosphere it creates with the guests, and the laughter. When the bride and groom see these images they will mean so much to them.

Reception

Head to your car quickly as your goal is to be right behind the bridal car, capturing them not only driving away, but arriving too. As you are following the car, do a quick image check, have you captured the groups at this stage, what is missing, what still needs to be captured? Again, take stock for a moment. A great tip is to take plenty of memory cards and ensure that each chapter of the wedding day is allocated a separate card. It will make looking after your images both easier and safer. Guard your cards, have a good system and stick to it.

What makes a great networking photographer is one who also looks after those they work with - so ring the hotel when you are on your way to let them know the bride and groom are about to arrive. They will appreciate this and recommend you to others.

Have a structure, select three locations in or outside the reception venue and stick to them when shooting the bride and groom. Capture as many images of them alone as possible before the guests arrive because as soon as they do the bride and groom will naturally want to spend time with them.

When taking images of the guests wherever possible have the bride and groom, or their parents within the images, as they are more likely to place these images within an album. If the couple have children, don’t forget to take special images of them too as they will mean the world to them.

As soon as you know you have all of the essential images in the bag, enjoy yourself and be creative, capture images that will exceed exceptions, whether they are of the location and venue or the bride and groom. You can fall into line with their pace now and that of the hotel. If you have time, take detail shots of the room, arty images of table settings and let those creative juices flow...

This was a very hard post to write, as there is so much I want to share, so much to tell but let me finish by saying that weddings are glorious to shoot so enjoy every one!

Biography

http://www.annabelwilliams.com

Catherine Connor is Annabel Williams' business partner, and MD of Contemporary Photographic Training. Catherine's meteoric rise in the often chaotic, always exciting photographic environment comes from an unusual springboard grounded in the world of international corporate management. Her infectious energy never fails to motivate those around her, and equips her with an organic understanding of market direction, fashion trends and lifestyle management.

Catherine is first and foremost a people person; her unique sense of fun, determination to succeed and boundless commitment to her industry make her a born mentor, allowing her to impart to all delegates a wealth of skills and knowledge pitched perfectly at achieving the vital balance of confident ability and self-worth.

It is Catherine's passion for her subject that makes learning from her a pleasure, which her students can then take forward, and are able to apply so effectively to enhance their skills.

All images in this article © Annabel Williams

Read more...