Feb 23, 2019

3 Reasons Wedding Photography is the Best Investment you Can Make On Your Wedding Day


3 Reasons Wedding Photography is the Best Investment you Can Make On Your Wedding Day




1. Memories Fade


The reality of your wedding day is that it’s only one day. this might make you think, “Why Should I spend thousands of dollars on something that’s only one day?” Because, it’s essential to have a photographer there who can capture the memories so you can re-live them. When the day is over, the details will be all but forgotten, but the photos will live on.


Additionally, there is so much more that goes into hiring a professional photographer than the photos you get. As photographers, we also recommend a schedule that aligns with your vision of your day, keep you calm and focused on what matters, and generally just be someone fun to hang out with – we do spend a lot of time together on your wedding day after all.

2. You only do this once


Aside from sporting events, weddings are one of the only events where you don’t get a re-do. There’s no setting up the shot again. That “first kiss” isn’t the first kiss if it’s staged. If these photos are going to live on the walls of your home for years, your best best is to hire a professional. Chances are you’re spending a lot of money on your wedding day – more than you’ll spend on any one single day in your entire life. This warrants hiring a photographer who has been there, who knows the ins & outs of the wedding industry, and can anticipate things before they happen.


3. Pros are pros for a reason


You can hire a friend with a DSLR or someone who has a popular Instagram following to be your wedding photographer, but chances are you’re making a mistake. We’ve seen it happen too many times. A bride or groom thinking they can save money by hiring their cousin or best friend who “takes good pictures”. It could work out, but it probably won’t.


It’s great to look for deals on your wedding day, and do things DIY, but photography is not one of them. There is so much that goes into one single shot, let alone a whole day, you want a pro on your side.



There is a reason why us pros in the industry use such expensive equipment (one of many lenses we use can cost upto $3000 (and thats just for one of many that are required to capture your day the way we vision... let alone spare camera bodies, cards etc etc .. if one piece of equipment fails (and sometimes they do! It’s always peace of mind that your day can be captures flawlessly :)



We would love to hear from you regarding your Wedding or events needs! :)

More blog posts can be found at our main website www.amkphotography.co.nz 

When Should You Book Your Wedding Photographer?


When Should You Book Your Wedding Photographer?



So you’ve gotten engaged?! Congrats! This is such an exciting moment in your life leading up to the start of your new journey with your significant other… But it would be unfair if I didn’t mention that it is also stressful. I wish I could sugar coat that for ya but­ even if you hire a Wedding Planner, you have a lot to do!


Today, we are going to focus on booking your Photographer/Videographer for your wedding. Sure, you could easily go find a bridal magazine or hunt through Pinterest for a timeline of when you should be doing what… but we searched sources across all mediums and found a trend of inconsistent timelines. So, instead of comparing all of these wedding timelines yourself we did it for you (you’re welcome). 😉


We compared 25 different wedding planning timelines. Sources include everything from Lauren Conrad, The Knot, Martha Stewart & everything in between. Collectively, the range was anywhere from 6 to 13 months… which is a pretty big time gap. So we found the average to give you a solid result of:


You should be booking your Photographer/Videographer at least 9 months before your wedding!


And here is why we agree: By this time, you’ll have already picked your venue, a theme/color scheme, an idea of a guest list, and a basic timeline of your wedding day. This is all useful to your Photographer because…


Once the venue(s) is set your Photographer can look up the locations to see where they can get the best photos of you, your significant other & loved onesYou will know who you will really want photos with, out of town family or friends, etc. (Add to your shot list!)The general timeline is useful so whether you are having a mix of traditions or unique wedding events, you can be sure your Photographer won’t miss a thing and capture all of your special moments


Note: Of course if you’re ahead of the game, booking earlier doesn’t hurt! It ensures your booking date, engagement sessions and more.


We service Waikato, Auckland, Bay of plenty and the greater areas within New Zealand and abroad.


www.nzweddingphotography.co.nz


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HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

The unfortunate thing about your big day is that it is, well, only one day. Fortunately, the right wedding photographer can gorgeously preserve the entire event’s happenings, the emotions, and the fun—forever! One perfect picture can instantly take you back to the happiest day of your life, and one perfect album can become your favorite coffee table book.

When it comes to professional photography, most shutterbugs start out by shooting weddings. This can
mean wading through a lot of prospective hires before you find the right fit for you. Below are simple tips for finding a photographer who will articulate the event exactly how you want to remember it.

Start Searching Immediately

So, you just got engaged—Congratulations! Now start looking for a wedding photographer. The truth is, the best professional photographers book their schedules a year in advance, so hiring someone is one of the first things you should do after you’ve set the date.

However, if your plans call for an out-of-season wedding or a Sunday ceremony, there is a good chance your chosen photographer is available. Give yourself six months to find the photographer of your dreams if you’re having a more uniquely timed wedding.

Tap Into Your Network

Good wedding photographers have a reputation for success and can even be local celebrities. They should be the easiest to find, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best for you. Start your search by crowdsourcing recommendations from friends and family who have planned weddings in the last few years, and ask your married friends if you can peruse their photo albums. Look to Facebook pages and professional websites for samples of work, blog posts, and client reviews.

The other professionals involved in your wedding day festivities will have worked with various photographers in the past. Ask for recommendations from your wedding planner, venue manager, caterer, baker, florist or limousine driver—it’s (literally) their business to have such contacts.

Narrow Down Your Options

Once you have a list of your top choice photographers, take an in-depth look into their services to begin eliminating candidates who aren’t a good fit. Determine which photographer will meet your budget as well as your specific needs. Consider how well they perform in different settings and environments. For example, if you are throwing a beach wedding, it makes sense to find a photographer who is proficient at outdoor photography.

Think about the emotional tone that you want your photos to express. Are you and your fiancé serious and traditional, or do you prefer a more light-hearted and playful theme? A talented photographer can listen to your vision and articulate it perfectly, so you should see tonal variation in their sample work.

Conduct Your Interviews

After narrowing your selection of wedding photographers down to around three, make appointments to interview the candidates. Likely, the photographer will have two or three wedding albums available to show. Make sure you see at least one album of an entire wedding, from start to finish, preferably something that is comparable to what your wedding will be like in physical setting and emotional tone. After examining all of the sample work closely, request to see another set of photographs from a recent wedding. This will enable you to see both his best work from the pre-selected albums and his average daily work. Some things to keep in mind:

Examine the basics of the pictures such as color, clarity, exposure, graininess and composition.

Determine the photographer’s style—does she shoot photos that are adventurous and artistic, or are they standard and ordinary?

Do the guests look natural or self-conscious?

Do the photos capture the emotional tone organically, or does do the couple’s poses feel forced?

Be sure to leave the interview knowing the highest vs. average quality of the photographer’s work, their visual style, and if she will adjust their style to your ideal taste. Their willingness to work closely with you to satisfy you as a client is key to producing an exceptional result, and a professional knows that.

Gauge Their Professionalism

While not all amateur photographers are created equal, the best way to guarantee that you will receive a quality wedding album is to hire a seasoned professional with a solid and varied background of nuptial experiences from which to draw.

During your interview, find out how many weddings the photographer has shot over how many years. He may have been a professional photographer for 15 years but only doing weddings for the past year. Remember, wedding photography is much different than any other type of photography; the pressure is high and the emotional energy is not suited for everyone.

Be sure to ask if the photographer has shot at your wedding venue before. If he has, he may already know where to stand to get the perfect shot or how to incorporate the church’s ancient stained glass in a uniquely engaging way.

With such experience comes not only the knowledge of how to photograph a wedding, but also how to act during the ceremony and reception. For example, how will he dress and how will he act around your wedding party and guests? Beautiful photos capturing the smiles of family and friends are just as important as the multitude taken of the bride and groom. And speaking of which, he’ll be by your side just about as much as anyone in the party, and then some—how well do your personalities mesh? Will his presence be an asset or a burden? Truly, a wedding photographer’s charm and ability to put everyone at ease is as important a skill as the actual photography.

Discuss Photography Equipment

Although you may not be a professional yourself, you should know what type of camera and equipment your photographer will be using. You may find that you are more particular about it than you think. For example, there are advantages to both digital and film that you may want to consider. You should also ask what program she uses to edit the photos—if a photographer says they don’t edit, run!

Asking about equipment, gathering information on your options, and forming opinions on preferences shows that you are confident in your vision and helps you to convey it fully.

Determine Costs and Sign the Contract

While you want to book your photographer for the date of your wedding immediately, make sure you read over the legal details of exactly what you will get before signing the contract. Ensure the photographer you meet with is the photographer who will show up on your wedding day and if you should expect a second cameraperson or assistant. Determine what parts of your wedding day will be covered and how many hours you have with your photographer. Clear communication and reiteration of the details of the ceremony, the reception, and the specific types of photographs you want is crucial. In all, the contract is in place to remind both you and the photographer of the services you agreed upon.
With these tips, you are on your way to finding the perfect photographer to fits your wedding day’s style.

If you have more questions, feel free to contact us!
Auckland, Waikato, Bay Of Plenty, New Zealand wide Wedding & Events Photography

Getting Married?, Where to begin!?!

Getting Married?, Where to begin!?!




Often I get asked what do couples normally request for their Wedding Photography so I’ve compiled a comprehensive MUST HAVE list! 🙂
Do you require a Photographer for your big day? AMK Photography are now taking bookings for 2019 / 2020 !
For more info please feel free to contact us
www.nzweddingphotography.co.nz
Getting Ready

► Wedding dress on a hanger ► Wedding invitation ► Engagement ring and wedding bands ► Bride and bridesmaids’ bouquets ► Bride’s jewelry ► Bride applying makeup ► Bridesmaids and/or mother of the bride helping the bride into her dress ► Putting on the veil ► Groom tying his tie ► Groom pinning boutonniere on his father ► Father pinning boutonniere on the groom ► Leaving for the ceremony
Before the Bride and Groom See Each Other
► Bride alone ► Bride with mom and dad ► Bride with dad ► Bride with mom ► Bride with immediate family ► Bride with siblings ► Generational shot: Bride, mom, sister(s), grandmother ► Bride with mom and mother-in-law ► Bride with mother-in-law ► Bride with bridesmaids ► Bride with maid of honor ► Bride with flower girl(s)
For more info please feel free to visit us at www.nzweddingphotography.co.nz