The 10th Annual Bridal Extravaganza Sunday, February 27, 2000

Sunday, February 27, 2000

Y Photography
Photographers are well worth the expense
By SIDNEY SCHUHMANN
Staff Writer

Photographs are one of the best methods of capturing once-in-a-lifetime wedding moments, such as the bride and groom exchanging vows or a flower girl napping on the altar during the ceremony.

Although photos best capture the moment, couples sometimes balk at spending money on a professional photographer and ask friends and relatives to take pictures instead. The results can be less than pleasing.

“I’m always puzzled at people who spend a lot of money on flowers and things that get thrown away,” said Paul White, owner of White’s Photography.

He said hiring a professional photographer is worth spending the money because good pictures can always be enjoyed.

Many women have bridal portraits taken before the wedding. Bridal portrait sessions can start at $65-95. Prints cost extra.

Mindy Morris, owner of Morris Studio, suggested brides have their portraits taken at least six weeks before the wedding if they want a framed picture on display at the reception. White said brides should start making arrangements for pictures as soon as they can because some photographers get booked up quickly.

Bridal portraits can be taken in a variety of locations. Some women prefer studio shots, but many choose outdoor or elegant locations, such as the Windsor ballroom downtown. Local photographers agreed that the refurbished Windsor is the most popular location for bridal photographs in Abilene.

“It is a beautiful place, very elegant,” White said.

Other locations for bridal portraits include people’s homes and ranches, the Grace Cultural Center, gardens and the staircase of the Grand Court retirement center. Ken Roberts, owner of Roberts Studio, said he prefers photographing outside because natural light is soft.

Prices for photographing the wedding and reception can vary from $1,000 to $3,000. Photographers spend three to four hours shooting the big day and take as many as 140 pictures.

White advised couples to book a wedding photographer well in advance. He said some people reserve a photographer as early as nine months to two years. One woman planned an entire wedding two years in advance, he said, and didn’t even have the groom yet.

Most photographers agreed that establishing a rapport with the photographer is important for couples getting married.

“If you don’t get along with your photographer, it won’t make the day go well,” White said. “I try to establish a rapport with brides so they feel comfortable talking to me.”

If couples want certain poses or particular shots, they should share that information with the photographer ahead of time. But over-planning can take away some of the fun of the wedding.

“No one knows what a wedding is going to be like,” White said. “It takes on a life of its own.”

Photographers often give brides tips to make photo shoots more successful.

White tells women to wear comfortable shoes and bring a needle and thread to portrait shoots in case the wedding dress needs emergency repairs. Morris said she tells brides to wear evening makeup, which should be heavier than normal daytime makeup.

Roberts said he reminds brides to have their nails done because he often photographs close-ups of brides holding their flowers or showing off their rings.

He said couples need a photographer with experience because they have to know how to handle outdoor and indoor lighting, posing, cameras, printing and crowd control.

“You have to move fast,” he said. “With wedding photography, there is no time to waste.”

Sidney Schuhmann can be reached at 676-6721 or schuhmanns@abinews.com.