Jeff Ryan Photography

Professional Wedding Photography

First and foremost please let me take this opportunity to wish you my sincerest “Congratulations” on your up-coming wedding!! Having photographed weddings for a period of 32 years, I realized long ago that a common denominator for their success is excellence in planning and careful organization, particularly when referring to the proper scheduling of your day. It is my hope this article will provide good, sound advice for brides to be, so their wedding day will be a most enjoyable celebration, and not a day of disappointment. On a further note, at the end of this article I have prepared a list of suggestions titled “Recommendations”. I would encourage the reader to pay special attention to this list, which will prove very beneficial to any potential bridal client. Now, please let me itemize several helpful suggestions pertaining to the creation of the photography on your special day.

In the first instance, communication between you and your photographer is of the utmost importance, ensuring all details are ironed out long before your wedding day occurs. I am referring specifically to the scheduling of events on your wedding day. In addition to this, making certain that the proper groupings of people, placed in correct combinations (should families have parents that are separated or divorced from previous relationships) also be addressed. On another note, in order for your photographs to be completed successfully, both parties have to work together realizing that time restrictions, inclement weather conditions, commuting time and late arrivals may occur. What are late arrivals? Here are some realistic occurrences/examples which I have experienced in the past:

1. Flowers not being delivered on time have often delayed a photo shoot.
2. Scheduling hair and make up appointments inaccurately.-( Not allowing sufficient time to see the completion of each prior to your shoot time causing them to overlap).
3. Spending excessive time getting ready pertaining to fitting the dress, veil and other accessories on the bride.
4. Brides maids and/or family members delayed for the pre-ceremony photo shoot
5. If the bride is late for her photo shoot prior to the church service or ceremony, one must realize that she is going to have less imagery to make her selection from when viewing the originals.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of your itinerary however, many couples coming to professional photographers are not aware of the time requirements needed to complete all of the contracted photographs successfully. Clients should be informed that in order to create beautiful portrayals of family members and friends, a specific amount of time has to be allotted for in your schedule (usually much more than one would estimate). Speaking from experience, several brides I have conversed with in the past have expected to have all their pre-ceremony photographs made approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour before they arrive at the church, which unfortunately is impossible if high quality work is desired. They neglect to take into consideration the time required to set up and dismantle professional photographic equipment in their home, travel and set up time at the church and what if the limousine happens to have un-expected delays when it is due to arrive at the brides house? I have incidently, encountered all of the above mishaps/incidents on previous weddings.

I believe it is the photographer’s job to properly educate clients regarding the scheduling of their day due to bridal couples inexperience regarding such matters. The scheduling of your photo shoot becomes very important after the ceremony, and members of the bridal party and families involved should be fully informed as to where the group photographs will take place, allowing for an optional rain location if necessary. (Please remember to include additional time for formal photographs of the bride and groom which are usually completed before the reception should the need arise). Several bridal couples I have photographed over the years have elected to have the formal imagery of themselves made before the ceremony which then allows them the luxury of proceeding directly to the reception hall after the family group pictures have been completed. Occasionally, couples do not want to invest the necessary time of approximately 45 minutes to one hour after the family photos have been completed, to begin formal posing of just themselves. This is an option you may appreciate for those who are having their dinner somewhat earlier rather than later in the day.

Another question I am frequently asked over the phone is, “How much do I charge and what do I get?” As a professional photographer, my first concern is, have you seen actual samples of my work before? If the answer is no, I politely explain to clients that trying to purchase professional bridal photography over the phone is not advisable because they do not know at this point what they are buying. I regularly ask a bride during the initial stages of our conversation if she would consider buying her wedding dress over the phone without seeing it? I encourage couples to meet with me at the studio for a bridal consultation to view samples of professionally created wedding portraits. During this appointment, they can become better acquainted with my services which they are interested in investing in. The next concern that couples have is the cost of professional photography which can vary greatly. I would like to point out with the utmost respect to the reader, an old expression that still holds true today...“you only get what you pay for”. If you desire excellent services at your wedding whether it be disc jockey, catering facilities, floral arrangements or photography, it only stands to reason that you are going to be expected to invest more funding to obtain that high quality service. This is not to suggest that one must purchase the most expensive services available. It simply means that you should give much thought to investing sufficient dollars towards the most important, meaningful areas of your wedding and direct less funding towards areas of least importance which at times may appear frivolous . Prioritise your needs. Several married couples I have conversed with in the past have mentioned that when they were shopping for a photographer, they often found a particular persons work they greatly admired, but because he/she was more expensive than others they decided to look elsewhere. They then contracted another photographer who had a low initial base price and later realized, (after adding on all the extras after their wedding was over), that they ended up spending very close or more than the amount that their favoured photographer initially quoted them. The end result is that they could have obtained their preferred photographer which would have more accurately represented and fulfilled their overall needs. My bridal photography offers couples well executed imagery depicting sensitivity and love that people feel for each other on their wedding day. This is accomplished by proper selection of backdrop, lighting systems and very careful attention paid to detail. All brides should be looking for these nuances when viewing sample books. I make couples aware of the fact that professional photography is not a quick in and out affair; otherwise the client would not be receiving the quality of work they would expect to receive.

Photographers are currently shooting two distinct styles of imagery. One is photo journalistic and the other is known as traditional. Photo journalistic style imagery is for the most part, a series of images that are very unposed, unrefined and often poorly lit. Traditional photography pertains to a more portrait shooting style. I have created both styles of photography at weddings and without doubt, the majority of imagery that most couples insert into their finished albums is the traditional style. The faces of the people are clearly visible and recognizable with good expressions and excellent exposures. I offer clients a combination of both shooting styles during their wedding meaning, a series of informal and formal poses of all those involved.

Another frequently asked question is do I produce imagery using film or utilizing the digital medium, even when professional film appears to be dissipating in the marketplace? As a photography teacher and professional photographer, when comparing the two mediums on a regular basis my preference is film due to it’s wide exposure latitude, excellent image stability and archival characteristics. If clients request digital services, I will accommodate their requests and provide them with a CD depicting their day. This comparison between film and digital is not to overly criticize the digital medium, but I (and other professionals I should add), personally believe it requires further development at the time of this writing if it is ever going to have the ability to at least equal the characteristics of professional film.

I have prepared a list of recommendations and helpful hints for couples that will assist them when making a selection of a professional photographer. This newspaper article I have prepared on your behalf has been my pleasure to compile and I hope you derive much benefit from it. Incidently, I would like to indicate to the reader that most weddings I photograph come off without a hitch. If they are well planned they become fun filled, festive occasions, full of memories which last long after the day has ended!

We at Ryan Studio would be delighted of the opportunity to create beautiful bridal pictorials of your families and friends on this most special day in your life. My sincerest congratulations are once again extended to you during the planning stages of your wedding! Please contact us at your earliest convenience...it would be our pleasure to serve you.

With Good Wishes, Jeff Ryan.

P.S. Please check the Special Offer section on the wedding page which features either an Early Bird Discount or Special print offer!

Mr. Ryan is a professional photographer/teacher residing in Kanata offering numerous photographic services to the public. He has studied photography for a period of 32 years and may be reached using the following methods:
Phone: (613) 599-5363
E-Mail: jeffryan@jeffryan-photography.com
Web: www.jeffryan-photography.com