Blog of London Photographer Harry Rafique

Googling for a wedding photographer can be really daunting. Which is why a lot of couples ask around for recommendations. That can also be hit and miss, I personally never trust other people’s recommendations for wines, restaurants etc.. as my taste and expectations are invariably different to everyone else’s and I am often disappointed; I always do my own research.

So, as a starter for ten: do you want traditional wedding photography, or reportage photography (this is when the photographer records the day, starting from the bride and groom getting ready and including candid shots throughout to complement the more traditional family portraits) or a mixture of both? Not all photographers excel at everything and its important to spend a bit of time deciding what you really like and searching for a professional photographer who can both if that’s what you want.

What else should you be looking for? Amongst other things a great wedding photographer is someone you can trust will always do their personal best to make sure you get great pictures on what is a very special day for the both of you. He or she has to be well organised with attention to detail, and will have done a lot of homework before hand. That includes knowing what style of photographs you want, scoping the location, drawing up the list of all the essential shots, from the bride getting ready to all the family portraits as well as cutting the cake, signing the register and that all important confetti shot. I always take 2 cameras as well as lots of spare batteries and lenses just in case of technical malfunction.

A wedding photographer has to be very professional on your wedding day. The most difficult thing to achieve is not being intrusive but confident enough to organise everyone and get them lined up for the essential pictures. Most people are camera shy and see the pictures as interfering with getting to the drinks, and at times taking wedding photographs is a bit like herding cats…..The ideal photographer will have a good sense of humour, be firm and not lose patience with the extended family.

They say that pictures paint a thousand words…and no matter how good a photographer says he/she is, the pictures do speak for themselves. Look at the wedding photographer’s website. Most professional photographers who are worth their salt will have a wide range of pictures for clients to look at, and preferably not from the same wedding! Look for consistency; creativity, and someone who will make you both look gorgeous on the day. I spend a lot of time doing professional headshots for actors and actresses and use all the knowledge of light, bone structure and composition as well as knowing how to make people relax to make sure you have great memories from your wedding day.

Finally, personal chemistry is key. So if you like the look of the website and the photographs, arrange to have a meeting. You can look through the wedding photographers’ book, discuss the shots you want to have, whether you want a wedding album or a photobook, and also get a feel for what editing in photoshop can do (yes I am assuming the photographer uses digital photography not film). It isn’t just making sure you get a good deal; it’s about feeling comfortable that your wedding photographer is the best one for you.

Up early as usual, with two photographic shoots ahead of me for the day.
The first photo shoot being headshots for a young American actor and the second on location in Westminster photographing seven Directors of a company for some PR portraits, probably to use in magazines, I will find out full brief on arrival.

Checking my camera gear at 10.30am in anticipation for my first client due at 11am. He arrives early at 10.40am, I’m seconds away from being ready so a quick panic before he walks through the door. What a nice chap and he is, we soon start chatting while he asks would I be able to copy the style of a photographer in New York. We look online to view the some photos, not bad I say but he’s rather expensive at 2,000 dollars for actor’s headshots.
He said “actors in New York & L.A. are happy to pay such fees if they believe they will get work”.

I gave him his stylised photos & a bonus as we took some gritty natural shots outside to compromise the studio shots…. Glad to say he was happy, another satisfied client makes my day a happy day.

A quick lunch before venturing off to Westminster, this time I’m early as I like to scope a joint before I start shooting. I am introduced to the three main Directors and briefed on the type of shots required, after which they then agreed I should do as I think best, well that’s trust in me isn’t it. We have fun shooting for 40 minutes or so; the girls seemed to enjoy being photographed.
Lots of choice they where happy and I was out of the building within an hour and back to my studio to check emails and start editing images.

Finish about 7pm and ready to write this blog.

For most couples choosing a wedding photographer requires a lot of trust in someone they don’t know, this is one of the great days in a couple’s life so getting it right may seem daunting.

Firstly it’s a good idea to first meet a photographer to view their work of complete weddings, better still all the shots of a wedding before the bad photos have been deleted and edited. This way you can see exactly how consistent the photographer really is.

Secondly if you do get to second stage and decide this is the right photographer it is always a good idea to do a walkthrough of the day with the photographer.
It may be another wedding for the photographer who should be well drilled in such an event but it’s probably your first. This can be done verbally if all parties are familiar with the venues or by going to the venues together and discussing photographic locations. Whilst getting a clearer idea of the proceeding and of coarse pointing out any shots you may want from the photographer will help make the bride and groom more relaxed on the day.

Most people are surprised to learn that cloudy, overcast days provide the best lighting for actors portraits. Bright sun makes people squint, and it paints harsh shadows on their faces. Overcast days provide soft light that flatters faces. Shooting inside, turn off the flash and use light coming in from a window to give the subject a soft balanced almost glowing appearance.

Where do I begin talking about the technological changes of my life as a photographer over the last ten years? Well I could start a moan with our ever changing chosen mode of communication, what happened to that good old fashion bit of kit the telephone, mark my words the good old days of the landline telephone will soon become a nostalgic icon of the past.  A time when mobiles are no longer mobiles but more commonly music, cameras, TV & emailing devices or used for googling answers for pub quizzes. Day by day I’m left with a decaying telephone that refuses to ring in exchange for a computer keyboard that refuses to talk back to me no, matter how nice a day or happy I appear to communicate with it, it simply lies there waiting to be prodded.  I am slowly giving in and realise that soon I will have to put down my phone forever, oh but how I shall miss the old ways; a phone that answers with a live human voice!