Wedding Photography 101

NJOKI CHEGE lays out what to look out for when it comes to your wedding photosWeddings are memorable events, and every special moment ought to be captured in our hearts... but most importantly, on camera. This calls for impeccable and spot-on photography. In an era where technology has favoured the trade, it is expected that people will take advantage and get the best photos they can. Unfortunately, most couples don’t seem to realise the importance of professional photography hence compromising on the standards of photos for their special day. Most importantly, they ignore the fact that at the end of the day, what remains is the photos that will tell the story to future generations. For the perfect pictures, consider the following:Make-upMake-up, by all means is important, not only to hide certain facial flaws, but to bring out one’s natural beauty. Ensure you do a trial run with your hair and make-up and have photos taken to make sure you are happy with your appearance. Remember that make-up looks different under the camera lens so make sure to check it out, both in natural light and indoors.ClothesYour wedding dress should be comfortable and practical. If you are uncomfortable, it will show in your pictures. Many photographers become lost for words when they have to tell the bride: "Your cleavage is too much..." So don’t make them do what they would rather not.LightingMutua Matheka, a professional photographer and artist, believes natural lighting is the best. "For me, the worst time to do a photoshoot is in the afternoon, in between the church service and the reception. At this time, there is too much light thus a lot of squinting, which produces poor quality photos," says Mutua. For best photography, he recommends a photoshoot in the evening, the one or two hours before sunset, a time photographers call ‘the golden hours’. Celebrated US wedding photographer Mark Parker advises brides to keep lighting in mind when choosing the venue. "If your wedding is indoors, try to avoid buildings with high dark ceilings and few windows. Since natural light will look much better in your photos, try to plan your wedding when the room will be at its brightest," says Mark.The photographerWith so many people masquerading as photographers, be careful whom you contract to capture this important day in your life. Maina Waithagu, a professional photographer with Parallel Media, advises clients to do their homework when choosing a photographer. "Sample different people’s work and insist on seeing a fully covered wedding in an album. Then brief your photographer thoroughly and also understand what he/she is to deliver. Make arrangements for their transport if they don’t have their own. Be cooperative since you are all working towards one goal," Maina says. Most importantly, get to know your photographer before the wedding day. This is key so that you can be relaxed and real with them. "It’s sad some couples meet the photographer the morning of the wedding. Take time to interact with your photographers, laugh with them, come up with ideas and most important, become friends," adds David Macharia of Versatile Photographers. Macharia further advises couples to be careful of brokers who claim to link people up with photographers. Once you have settled on who to use, have a written document indicating what you will be expecting for your wedding and by when.Besides staying with you for the whole day, a good professional photographer must be using a digital camera with over 10 megapixels. They should also deliver photos at least a month after the wedding. As for the total printed photos, expect at least 300 photographs, although there are some who go up to 500 printed photos. CostThis is where the cookie crumbles. Normally, a couple will like a photographer’s work and style, until they find out how much he charges; Then they opt for a cheaper one only to regret later. Every photographer worth his salt has different packages from which clients can choose from. The more prominent the package, the more expensive it becomes. Printing, designing and storage The bulk of the work in wedding photography lies in the final process of printing and designing. There are two types of photo paper — glossy and matte. Photos printed on glossy paper have a vibrant shiny finish, although they are highly susceptible to fingerprints. Those printed on matte paper have a more professional look as they have a reduced glare and the fingerprints and smudges are not visible. However, colours are usually less vibrant and may produce a pattern or visible texture when the photo is scanned. Designing entails arranging the photos in a manner that they best tell the story. Here, you will need a creative photographer who will tell the story as it is.With technology favouring photography, clients are spoilt for choice when it comes to storage — from DVDs, to albums, to digital frames. The photobook, according to most photographers, is the way forward. It is a fresh, creative way of storing photos. "Though quite pricy, photo books are a great asset for you if you want your best memories stored forever. They are presentable and classy," says Sami Khan, a Nairobi based photographer. Khan also recommends a digital photoframe that facilitates the display of digital photos without the need to print them.

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