From The Straits Times    |
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Copyright: ruslan117 / 123RF Stock Photo

1. Pick the right photographer
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: getting the right photographer who shoots photos in a style you like matters. ‘Cause you’ll want to look good in the photos that you’re going to show your friends and family, and look back fondly upon during your wedding anniversaries. And, there’s no point in dolling up yourself or your venue, and end up with a sub-par photographer, whose photos won’t turn out well.

2. Schedule an engagement or trial session with your photographer
This will give you the opportunity to see how your photographer interacts with his subjects, the way he works, and how the photos will turn out. Of course, there are also different photographers who specialise in different things (i.e. engagement shoots, spontaneous photos, studio shots, or moving, actual-day photos). So it’s up to you to see if you want to work with the same person for your various celebrations, or hire different photographers for different events.

See: 10 tips when working with your wedding photographer, and 11 tips on finding the right one for your actual day wedding.

3. It’s all about the light
Think about the light for the various venues where you’re going to have your photos taken – from outdoor venues for your pre-wedding photoshoot to the hotel ballroom or bedroom where you’re getting ready (and will want some photos to document the occasion – see our checklist of must-have photos for the album). Ask if your photographer can recce the site with or without you to see what he thinks, as he’ll need to set up the lights for certain areas that may be darker. Also, if you’re having your solemnisation in the evening as well as a dinner banquet, your photographer will have to adjust the way he shoots both events as the lights will be different then.

4. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
Even if you’re dressed up in your wedding finery, you should always look and feel comfortable throughout the day as it shows (in person and in your photos). If you’re wearing heels for the ceremony, consider changing into a pair of flat shoes or platforms for the reception, where you’ll be walking around and mingling with guests.

5.  Get guests out of the way!
I’m referring to the time when certain guests may decide to play part-time photographer and start crowding the aisle or stand in their seats to take mobile snaps of you while you’re exchanging vows. Prevent that by having your emcee announce that no photos or flash photography is allowed, as you’ve paid for a professional photographer to do his or her job. If not, have a sign at the reception table where guests sign in, asking them to kindly leave their mobile phones alone during the ceremony. They can take all the photos they want when the ceremony’s over, or during the reception.

See also: why mobile phones could ruin your photos.

6. Feed your photographers
This last minute doesn’t directly contribute to how your photos will turn out, but your photographers are human too, and they will get tired after working for hours on end without food and drink. Try and arrange for your photographers to eat at the same time as you do, as you don’t need pictures of you eating, or pictures of your food. And once you’re done, they should be ready to photograph the events that will be going on after your break.