What is a photograph?

A photograph is ageless A photograph can often tell a story in a single glance A photograph can evoke a vast array of emotions A photograph can bring a lost memory to life A photograph depicts a single moment in time A photograph can make you smile A photograph can make you cry A photograph can make you laugh out loud A photograph can be sentimental A photograph brings joy

Would you want your romantic Williamsburg wedding photographs to be anything less??

Looking through family albums is an American pastime. Who doesn’t like to look through photo albums with family & friends? And what is your Wedding Album, but a Family Album, in its infancy! There it is!  The first day of your new life together – right there – in a book - for you to open and share and relive each precious moment anytime you want.

When should you choose your photographer?

You should start looking for a photographer immediately after you have finalized the details of where, when and what time your Williamsburg wedding ceremony and reception will take place. You cannot book a photographer too early...make sure it's on the top of your wedding planning list.

How do you choose your photographer? A referral is probably the best way to start – your friends will be happy to share their photographer’s name with you if they had a great experience. Bridal shows in Williamsburg also offer an opportunity to preview others. When you look at a photographer’s work – can you picture yourself on YOUR wedding day? Ask about their photography style and how they go about capturing those images throughout the day. Your photographer’s personality should mesh with yours. From the time you’re putting on your shoes, veil and cufflinks to the last wave good bye to your family and guests – who will be there with you? Your photographer! You should do yourself a great service and make sure that person is someone you like to be around! Does this photographer photograph more than one wedding per day? If so, will they be the one to photograph your wedding AND reception or will another photographer take over?  You should see the work of both photographers and meet them both.

Is price important?  Of course! Should it be the total basis for your decision?  No! Check out other photographers and know what you are getting for your money.  Determine what you want & ASK if these things are included in the package prices.

Ask about such things as:

Imprinting your names on the album cover – extra cost?

Option of including black and white photos – extra cost?

What styles of albums are offered – price differences?

Is there a discount for Friday or Sunday weddings?  Military discount?

What is the hourly charge for additional wedding day coverage?

Approximately how many preview images will you have?

How are the preview images presented?  Are these yours to keep?

Putting images on the website for friends & family to view – extra cost?

Are the CD images available for purchase?  If so – what’s the cost?

Can you take this CD anywhere to have prints made?

Wedding planning means ASKING questions…and lots of them! Wedding photographers understand that you don’t  interview them on a regular basis and there are many questions that you won’t know to ask.  Talk to your friends about their wedding photographer – be observant when you attend weddings. Know what it is you like and don’t like.

Who should be your photographer? Someone you can trust and whose advice you know you can rely on. Someone with YOUR best interest at heart and not their own agenda. Someone you can relate to and be yourself with. Someone you can have FUN with! Spend a little time with potential Photographers. Give them a call and visit their studio. Look through their samples and get to know them – and let them get to know you!  What have you got to lose? Use your intuition to determine if this person is right for YOU. Be prepared to make a decision and place a deposit (photographers’ calendars fill quickly, especially with popular wedding dates). If your intuition feels right and you’ve visited other photographers or have been given a personal reference and you feel you’re a match… GO FOR IT. Get your endorphins charged by checking wedding photographer off your list!

Make sure the Photographer you choose:

Will LISTEN to you and follow through

Will be un-obtrusive

Will capture your day – not create it

Will always be sensitive

Will not drag you away from your guests for a photo opportunity

Will not be a ‘velcro-photographer’

Will help you in ANY way they can during the day

Will capture your personality and you at your best

Will capture the intensities of the day

Will capture the sentimental moments

Will always be upbeat

Won’t forget the kids

Won’t forget that your parents have relatives too

Won’t forget that your guests are very important people to you

Will make a positive impression!

You did a great job when you can look through your wedding album and see the nervousness in your groom’s smile before the ceremony or the tears in your Dad’s eyes as he sees you in your wedding gown for the first time. Or the expression on your Mom’s face while you’re dancing with your Dad or the proud look on your Grandparents’ faces. The smiles and laughter captured on your friends and family’s faces as you head off on your honeymoon let you know that you chose your photographer wisely!

Article by:

Ann Bradshaw – Owner/Photographer

Say Cheeez! Photography

Phone:  (804 or 866) 966-1855

Email ann@saycheeez.com

Website www.saycheeez.com