Preserve Your Day With Perfect Pictures
by Kari Anderson Pink
photos by Neil Sjoblom
For some couples, photographing their wedding means passing out disposable cameras and letting the guests snap away. If, however, you’d like to be assured that you’ll end up with pictures that are of lasting quality, taken in appropriate lighting, and have visual balance, you’ll want to hire a professional.
Start your search
Master photographer Neil Sjoblom, based in Geneva, says the place to start looking is the Web. “Viewing a photographer’s website is a good way to determine whether the style of photography suits your tastes. Whether you’re looking for something traditional (like your mother’s wedding album) or a more contemporary ‘magazine style’ approach – or a mix of these styles – the Web is an excellent resource to begin your search,” explains Neil, adding, “just beware that there are also a lot of fly-by-night photographers on the Web.”
How can you tell who’s credible? One way is to check their trade affiliations. “Associations like the Professional Photographers Society of New York State (PPSNYS) have high ethical standards, valuable training programs, and a network of photographers in case one of its members becomes ill,” says Neil. “Being an active member in good standing of an association like PPSNYS is usually a good indication of the photographer’s integrity.”
 Plan to meet
Even if you like what you see on the Internet and you know the photographer is reputable, you should meet with him or her in person before you sign a contract. There are a couple of good reasons to do this. First, you’ll see the evidence for yourself. “Prints are the true test of quality,” notes Neil. “It’s easy to make things look good on the Web, but it takes much more effort to print out high-quality, high-resolution images, particularly big enlargements.”
Meeting a photographer in person also allows you to read their personality. A high-energy, take-charge person will make sure you get what you want by creating photo ops and telling people where to go and when. Someone who is low-key will unobtrusively blend into the background, visually documenting the event as your day unfolds. Perhaps you want a balance of both.
Interviewing a photographer personally will let you know what to expect the day of your wedding.
Showcase the scenery
Because the Finger Lakes is such a gorgeous region, Neil says most couples choose to feature at least some outdoor scenery in their wedding pictures. If it’s a nice day and the sun is shining, great, but don’t fret if it rains. “There is a lot you can do under the canopy of porches or gazebos,” he says. “Some of my favorite wedding pictures have been taken on rainy days, where everything glistens. And if you are lucky, you may even catch a rainbow in the shot.”
Document your day
When it’s time to have your pictures printed, there are now more options than ever. While the traditional leather-bound albums containing matted prints are still in demand, many couples are opting for magazine-style coffee table books. These are paper bound, with the images displayed on smooth pages and arranged in creatively designed spreads. Another option is the “image box.” “This is a new concept,” says Neil. “It looks like an album but contains matted prints ready for framing.”
If you’re looking to save money on pictures, some photographers will sell a CD or DVD of high-resolution images that the customer can print herself or e-mail to others, which saves on the cost of reprints. However, Neil warns against trying to cut corners on wedding photography. “Consider that long after the wedding is over, the cake has been eaten, and the flowers have wilted, the only thing left will be your wedding pictures, so don’t skimp on the photography.”
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