Ever wonder why one wedding photo or video is completely unforgettable, while another just doesn't have the same impact? Often, the difference is in the details: how the picture is developed and presented or how the video is edited and packaged. Check out these great tricks and techniques you and your photographer can use to turn your wedding memories into rich and memorable works of art.
1. Photo Development
Sepia Tone: If you love rummaging through your grandmother's photo boxes, this is the style for you. Sepia-treated prints take on the rich, golden glow of antique photographs. Because the process occurs during printing, you can have the same black-and-white picture printed normally and in sepia.
Hand-Tinted: These photos are just plain pretty, and we'd love to see at least one in every wedding album. A photographer or colorist can hand-color black-and-white photographs for a striking effect. The entire picture may be hand-tinted in soft colors, creating a surreal appearance. However, often the photographer will only color portions of a photograph. For example, a black-and-white portrait of the bride may feature a hand-tinted bouquet -- beautiful.
Sloppy Borders: Perfect for the bride who wants to make her wedding albums just a bit more artsy. Also called full-frame, these super cool pictures have jagged black borders. Since this special treatment happens during printing, you can order your picks sloppy or neat.
Wide-Angle Lens: If you selected your ceremony or reception location for its beautiful architecture, be sure that your photographer can do the location justice. A wide-angle lens can help your photographer capture the room as a whole, not just portions of it.
2. Presentation
Albums: Your wedding album has "Our Wedding" engraved in silver on the cover. Or not. Depending on your style and the aesthetics you appreciate, your wedding album can be a classic white leather album with silver embossing, or a hand-bound book of art paper, complete with pressed rose petals, river grasses and a custom monogram on the cover. However you see your wedding album, you should see it filled with all the most spectacular moments of your wedding. Online photo showcasing (offered by Pictage photographers) allows you to view your wedding photography and choose the photos for your album online as well as order individual prints.
Photo Boxes: An alternative to the traditional album, photo boxes are sturdy, decorative boxes used to store wedding prints, often mounted on thick, matte board. If you like to rotate your pictures in and out of frames, this is a fun, safe way to store them.
Frames: You were wondering why everybody was giving you so many beautiful frames, weren't you? It's because you'll have so many wonderful pictures to display. Show off your favorite shots all over your new home, or give framed photos as gifts to your parents, grandparents and attendants.
3. Video
Family Pictures and Home Movies: Family pictures only make a wedding video more resonant. If you can, be sure to include them. Slipping your videographer a few copies of childhood or family photos usually means delightful results. Close-up of you, all baby cheeks and bright eyes, munching on a daisy. Close-up of him, standing proudly by the pool with his water wings on. Close-up of your now-hunky little brother, in sixth grade and full of braces. Close-up of your mom and dad, right after they got married and right before they started thinking about having kids, chic, young and carefree.
Music: A soundtrack adds so much. Give your videographer a list of the must-play songs from your wedding, plus a couple of favorites from childhood. Choose songs with lyrics you love and melodies that remind you of special people in your life. And don't forget your first dance song!
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