I love looking at great photography and I am so fortunate to be sharing a studio space with one of the best photographers in the area. Thomas Beaman is new to Central PA, but has been a successful award winning (Bride's Choice 2010) photographer in Northern California before moving here last summer. In addition to his talent as a wedding photography, his portrait photography is fantastic too (as you can see)..super creative and captures the moment perfectly. If you want to see really amazing work, you have to check out his blog to see the landscape photography he has done. On his blog he also offers great wedding tips in addition to sharing his talent as a photographer.
I asked him for a few wedding photo tips, and here's what he had to say about taking pics on your big day.
Tip #1 - The most important piece of advice I can give is to hire a photographer that you really love (or really really really like). Why spend all of this time and energy (and money) planning the perfect day just to go out and hire the cheapest photographer you can find.
Price should never come first when choosing something this important. These photos and albums are going to be passed down generation after generation so make sure you choose a photographer that fits your style..a photographer that will capture your day the way you want it to be remembered.
I would never want a client to hire me because I was $100 cheaper than the photographer down the street who they really wanted. Hire your photographer based on the photography and how well their personality mixes with you.
Tip #2 - Talk to your photographer before setting your wedding day timeline (hopefully your photographer will have some great advice to offer). He/she will be able to make sure you have thought about all of those little things that come up.
For example...I recently received a wedding day timeline from a bride where I was scheduled to photograph the bride, bride with family, and bride with bridesmaids at 3:30pm. The next thing on the list said that I was to be at a different location to photograph the groom and groomsmen at 4pm. That left me 30 minutes to photograph the girls, get back to my car, drive to the new location, park, and be ready to photograph the guys. And this was assuming that the girls would really be ready at 3:30. I simply sat down with the couple and had them schedule hair and make up earlier. This allowed me the time I needed...the couple got some amazing images and the bride was a lot more relaxed.
Tip #3 - Stay together at the reception. I have been to so many weddings where the bride and groom do the first dance and then go their separate ways. Walk around and greet family and friends together. The more you stay together, the more amazing photos you will have on your wedding day.
