Helping Those Who Will Record Your Ceremony
My
ceremonies are optimized for visual impact. I encourage all
couples to face their guests which 99% of them do. Couples
light their Unity Candles and Wine Share while facing their
guests etc. This format is chosen because it makes the ceremony
visually accessible to the guests, it also renders the best
possible format for the photographers and videographers.
 I
do not restrict your photographers in any way, they are free
to go anywhere during your ceremony and shoot from any and
all vantage points. I have seen photographers stand on ladders
during my ceremonies and I've seen others lie on the floor.
When they
move into center aisle with me, which is where I officiate
from for the majority of the ceremony, I will favor one side
of the aisle to give them a wide open shot of you and your
wonderful bridal party.
Your
photographer would be wise to ask me what photo-ops to
expect during my ceremony. Photographers routinely miss
some of the ceremonies best vignette moments simple because
they
didn't know they were coming (and didn't bother to ask).
Yet these special moments are made to order for photography.
For instance, my brides pause at the base of the aisle
while entering and then kiss their escort on the cheek.
This is a terrific photo album shot but is missed if
it's not expected. A groom will go down on one knee to
embrace, with open arms, the flower children who have
walked (or ran) down the aisle to hug him. Again, it's
missed if not expected. A groom will meet his bride,
and her
escort, and greet that escort warmly while his bride
looks on- a terrific shot. But if the photographer doesn't
know to expect it, he or she will be out of place as
it happens. And we don't get a second chance.
I
cannot go up to a photographer or videographer, prior
to the ceremony and begin telling him or her what to
expect. They will understandably assume I'm trying to
tell them
their trade and will take offense. But if you as a paying
bride and groom request they ask me what to expect in
the ceremony I gladly will. And your photo album will
improve accordingly.
The
most important question you can ask your photographer/videographer,
whom you are considering for hire, is not: "How good
is your photography?" The most important question
is:
"What are you going to wear to my wedding?" About half
of all Chicago area photographers observe no dress code.
Their reasoning is... "well, I'm not going to be in any
of the photos since I'm the one behind the camera, so
what's the big deal?"
The
big deal is that a photographer in wrinkled clothes reflects
very poorly on a bride and groom in the eyes of the guests.
Those guests are apt to reason... "Bill and Suzie
went cheap," or worse yet,- "Bill and Suzie
are cheap." Most of the people who attend
your wedding ceremony will never see your photo album.
This
is largely because 1) they were at your wedding and aren't
curious about what it looked like, and 2) they had cameras
with them and took several of their own photos. However,
every guest saw your photographer and how he or she was
dressed (or not dressed). If they looked tacky, it reflects
on you.
What
is appropriate dress for the photographers at your ceremony?
Appropriate attire for photographers is a suit, a tux,
business dress for the ladies, or what I call "ninja."
The three girls on this page are in "'ninja,"-
a black outfit with accommodations for the equipment
they carry.
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