The Photography and Video

This was one of the hardest decisions I'd made about my wedding. I was looking at my budget hoping to find some room for a photojournalistic photographer but the one's I liked were out of my price range... about $2k out of my price range. I could've opted for a cheaper photographer, but I really didn't want to pay for something that my I or my friends could do just as well if not better. Then I thought that would be a great idea. I would just ask people to take pictures & send me copies. I also asked a good friend of mine, who I knew had a talent for photography, to take pictures for me at the wedding... luckily, he did and most that you see posted were taken by him.

The Successes...

I was SOooo lucky to have Jim take pictures for me. He and his fiancee, Jennifer took some really great shots of the wedding and recption with a digital camera. I have to admit, asking was the hardest part. There's a lot of pressure when it comes to taking pictures for a friend's wedding. You never know if you'll disappoint them, miss something of if they're counting on you to come out with something spectacular. At least that what I would think. I never brought these thoughts up to Jim but I took them into consideration. On the wedding day, I almost felt a little demanding asking him to take this pic, that pic, get my family together for those posed shots, yadda, yadda, yadda. I hope he was able to enjoy the wedding!

I'd also put disposable cameras out available for guests to take pictures with. They came out fine, and I was able to get some great candid pictures. My favorites are from a younger photographer by the name of Carl. Carl is Sandra's son, was 10 years old at the time and had some great perspectives. He also got a lot of close up shots. I loved all the pictures that were taken.

I also got pictures from other friends and family members. From Sarah, I got some great pictures of Doyle before the ceremony and of the wedding party before I came down the aisle. She was able to catch some great candids a beautiful pictures from the ceremony. My cousin Marithess and her husband Eugene (who was a tremendouls help throughout the wedding week) took pictures of us getting ready, took pictures of Doyle setting up the lights and the dance floor, all the things that Doyle & I weren't able to see together. Some of those are my favorites, too. The pre-wedding stuff, was just as important as the wedding itself, and Mar also took videos... I just can't wait to see that! My brother Ron, & his friend Jimmy also had their video camera out, and they were taping everything from the rehearsal dinner to the wedding & their trip in between. I haven't seen that yet either, but I'm pretty patient and I know it'll be just like opening a new present when I get the copy.

These are the kind of pictures that I wanted. The people, the fun... even the food! What was great was that I had more than one perspective, in fact I had many. I have a large collection of great memories and was able to keep within my budget.

A few points & reminders: If depending on disposable camera, do a lot of shopping. I didn't bother with the boxed wedding set, since thost were usually more expensive and only have 15 shots per camera. I bought the regular disposable, with a flash, on sale for aboout $7 each. People aren't always used to these camera, so they don't all turn out great. You can suggest that people use these more for table shots, since they take better close-ups (like 3 - 4 feet away) than far pictures. That's why is good to enlist younger photographers since they tend to come close for pictures anyway.

The Glitch...

I forgot to make a list of formal shots that I wanted and didn't have a formal portrait of Doyle & me. I also don't have a picture of just my mom & dad and I'm missing the groomsmen in the attendant shots. I'm a little sad that I missed some of these pictures, but I couldv'e prevented that if I had a list ready. Don't think you can remember all of this yourself, because there's already SO much to think about!  :)

Because the video were taken by family & friends I still haven't seen them. BUT they're doing their own editing, which is more that I could ask for!

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