Theme: Getting the best photographs

Assign your own "photographer's assistant"

This person's allegiance will be to you, not the photographer. Choose someone close to you who will know your family and friends and be able to point them out to the photographer. Trust me, your photographer will appreciate this, because we don't always know who are "musts" to be photographed. And of course, we want you to be happy!

Make sure your loved ones look fantastic in all your shots by having your photo assistant check smiles and fix hair, dresses, flowers, etc. A little preventative care can help ensure everyone (and everything) is preserved in your photo album looking their best.

Inform photographer of all "special events"
Throwing a surprise or two into your wedding or reception helps to keep a magical, spontaneous atmosphere. For example, some brides like to slip out of the reception to change dresses and return with a grand entrance to dance the night away. Be sure to let your photographer in on the secret! Otherwise, you may miss what can be the best candid photos of special moments in your wedding or reception.

Mix it up
Have your photographer take different kinds of shots. Unusual angles or fuzzy focus can add interest to traditional photographs. Zoom in so close on the wedding cake you can see the texture, or photograph the bride and grooms hands as they talk at the reception table. In addition, candid photos are often taken by guests at the reception tables. These provide a delightful complement to the more formal compositions of a professional photographer.

To color or not to color?
Many of today's brides are having their photographer snap both color and black and white photos. Black and white images provide a classic, timeless look. This traditional approach focuses in on your faces and expressions of love without the flashy distractions of color. Yet color does add a liveliness and reality to photos and can preserve a more accurate record of how your day really appeared. After all, you don't want to have spent all that time anguishing over your wedding colors for nothing! Get the best of both worlds by combining the two approaches.