Article in Oakfield Magazine
RECORDING YOUR MEMORIES
The old cliché holds – "After your wedding all that is left are your photos". A concerning fact is that many people book a photographer and do not have any idea of what they are going to get. Couples look at a portfolio, speak to the photographer and leave the rest in his or her hands!
The issues to explore with a photographer are as important as the menu, the décor or the design of the dress. Are the photos going to be printed on gloss or matt paper. A suggestion would be matt, so that fingerprints do not show should the photos be touched. White borders on the photos can make a marked difference – especially if the photos are mounted on black pages. The borders do not cost any extra and would display the photo’s better.
Make sure that you understand the structure of the package you have taken. Is there a good spread of enlargements, does the package include an album – if so what album – and will the photographer compile the album as part of the package? If not, what will the additional cost be. Find out what the costs will be for reprints for all the various sizes. Let the photographer show you the sizes available. Black and white and sepia are very fashionable at the moment, are these included in the package? What are the costs for digitally manipulated photos? Be sure to find out how long after the wedding the photos will be ready and in what format you will be able to view them. Some photographers work with jumbo’s and others use contact sheets (A page where the images are all postage stamp size).
If the photographer is going to put the album together for you, ask to have special items included such as an invitation, program of events, hymn sheet, a copy of the speeches and to leave some space for honeymoon photos.
The album is the custodian of your memories, so make sure that it is a good quality album with acid free pages. The glue to be used must also be an acid free glue to prevent the photos from going yellow with time. Although it is traditional to have a white album with white pages, it is unfortunately not practical. You want to show your album off to your friends without being concerned that every time someone touches it, it might leave marks. Preferably go for a dark cover with black pages. The album is less likely to look grubby and with the white borders the photo’s will display very well.
The best way to visualize what you want is to imagine yourself 10 years down the line sitting with your children and telling them about your wedding and showing them your album. Let your album be the record and "storybook" of your wonderful day!
Chris van Zyl
Focal Fusion Photography
Cell 083 793 6019
info@focalfusion.co.za