Picture Perfect

A picture is worth 1,000 words, they say, so what would you like yours to say about your wedding reception? It seems just about every wedding reception these days has a photographer. When you think of wedding photographers (or perhaps photographers in general) you may think of a couple individuals armed with cameras, directing you into place, crowding you and your friends together and forcing you to pose in awkward positions and smile. Much like the entertainer, the photographer brings their own expertise into a party, including their knowledge of shot selection and lighting to ensure the perfect snapshot. It’s very difficult to replicate or substitute for the experience and proficiency of a quality wedding photographer. Setting up a group shot should be enjoyable and provoke interest from your bridal party and your friends.

Atlantic Coast Entertainment understands that wedding photography is one of the most challenging things to capture effectively, but a proficient photographer can make it appear effortless. This is because they’ve attended and shot at many receptions. They know how and where to stage the best pictures. You’re certainly going to want to capture you and your spouses’ portraits for the wedding day, but what about your bridesmaids, groomsman, relatives, friends and the location of your ceremony and reception? These are all key visuals for a spectacular event and won’t be overlooked by a top notch photographer. This is why selecting a great weddingphotographer is crucial if you’d like to remember the best moments of your biggest milestone.

Professional wedding photographers usually work in teams of at least 2 because there’s simply too much going on for one person to capture. They are also attentive at all times, not just recording the obvious moments but the subtleties as well. Be wary, however, of companies (or individuals) with so many cameras and lights that it seems they are always around, perhaps even making guests uncomfortable with their omnipresence. A tactful professional will seamlessly blend into your reception, capturing creative angles of your dance floor (sometimes elevated from the action) and staying just out of reach during an important cake cutting. They won’t be imposing, but they will be present and will capture everything they need to.

While it’s not 100% essential to every photo shoot, several companies and professionals offer post-editing options on your photos and this may be worth looking into. These types of “illustrative” effects can bring your photography into an artistic realm, creating illusions such as you and your spouse dancing in the clouds, or something as simple as de-saturation to the point where only red roses stand out. In these cases, the photos are mindfully edited to say something about the individuals themselves which is why it’s important to have a good rapport with your photographer, before, during and after your event. While your Cousin Ernie may be a “darned good” photographer with a nice camera, it’s hard not to question his credentials for taking on such a challenging job. Remember, your wedding only comes around once, so make sure you’re comfortable with your photographer to ensure you’ll have pictures worth revisiting down the road.