I’ve almost finalized my photographer for the day. I was wondering what exactly should I tell him for what sort of photographs I need. I know they are aware of what they need to do but I want to explicit so as not to miss out anything:
I mean I want him to cover the following on each day:
Decore (small to big)
closeups
different effects on the photographs
couple photos
coverage of family & guests (not everyone but some)
^ those are all things that are put in afterwards in photoshop, so don't worry too much about those.
as well, give him a list to use as a guide but don't hold him to every single shot on the list because would you rather he worry about your list or get on with it and take great pictures as the moments arise?
You should probably create a document listing the keyshots you definitely don't want missed. Make copies and give it to the photographers (if you have 2) and your planner (if you have one).
The list should be a guide for them. If you have to have a picture of your shoes, favors, some decor items you made yourself, pics of you hugging your parents, etc - you should indicate on the list that those are an absolute must.
If you've hired an experienced photographer, he/she would know what to take pictures of, and not to miss any rasams. But again, if you have any family heirlooms, or special objects that you must have pics of...you should write these down for the photographer
^ a friend of mine did exactly that, got the pictures she wanted. For getting ready shots, have someone other than yourself keep a list of personal keepsakes and mementos you want images of, and let her show them to the photog as you get ready.
about effects, this varies by photographer, so have a look through their albums to see what they do and don't do. I've heard photographers gripe about clients coming with the work of OTHER photographers and asking them to duplicate it. some photographers rely heavily on filters, portable lighting, perspective, and not to mention the moment itself to create images, while others like to experiment in photoshop techniques.
Do not burden/stress him too much especially if he is new in the business. Give general guidelines and trust him to do well, otherwise you will never get what you had in mind.
Completely disagree. If you cannot handle the stress of being a wedding photographer, then you need get out of business. And ESPECIALLY if he/she is new to the business, you should give them a detailed list of what you want.
I agree with Asiya and Noor.
You should make a detailed list of shots you MUST have covered. You should write it as this:
Getting Ready - Makeup - shallow DOF and macro shots.
Getting Ready - Clothing - macro and distance shots of the wedding outfit.
Family - shot with grandma.
Family - shot with Mom
Family - shot with parents.
...
The clearer you are with your photographer, the happier you will be with your shots.
My wedding was four days with another two days of prep/tour guiding/shopping. Despite extensive preparations with our photographer, a very dear friend who fabulous, we still missed shots. AND, we had three other photographers covering wedding day itself.