JASON CHRISTMAN / Scroll
Candis Sakota, former BYU-Idaho student from Rexburg, gets her bridal pictures done by Inkleys photographer Mark Curtis.

Picking the perfect eye to capture your day

by Dominique Perkins PER04022@BYUI.EDU Scroll Staff

Choosing a photographer for a wedding can be a stressful experience.

This decision will affect how this special day will be remembered for many years to come. So whether a friend will be taking the pictures, or a professional, it is important to choose a photographer who will provide the right mood.

One very important thing to keep in mind when choosing a photographer is how trustworthy and flexible they seem. They are being asked to capture on film some extremely important memories. Choose a photographer who will be open to suggestions and willing to work with personal ideas and specifications.

Speaking of personal ideas and specifications, what will they be? It is important to know what kind of feel will be preferable for the wedding pictures. This will also help in choosing a photographer. Some photographers specialize in more formal, classic poses. Others are known for more creative shots.

There is a choice between still, elegant picture, or candid shots filled with the emotion of the day.

Melynne Orme, a junior from Stevensville, Mont., knew exactly what she wanted.

Her wedding photography was done by Mike Lewis, a photographer for the Public Relations Department at BYU-Idaho. “I wanted someone who had experience with more news-style photography and could get some great candid shots,” Orme said.

She also got her wish with some of the digitally altered pictures. “I got a black-and-white shot of me in my dress, with only the bouquet colored in. That was one of my top priorities. I have always loved pictures like that,” she said.

Her package included engagement shots, pre-wedding and wedding day coverage. “It was nice to have all the pictures done by the same photographer.”

Many students on campus get their wedding pictures done by someone they already know.

Amy Rondeau, a junior from Moreno Valley, Calif., hired her photographer through friendly connections. “My husband’s roommate’s fiancé’s friend, who was a photography major, set up an appointment with the girl who did our photography.”

Despite the convenience of having wedding photography done by a friend or through connections, one advantage to having a professional studio take pictures is the quality of the packages. At Gugelman Photography Studio in Rexburg, all wedding day packages come with complimentary pre-bridal and engagement sessions, and then the pictures are mounted in an album.

Nicole Berrett, photographer and digital artist for Gugelman Photography, broke their many packages down into two basic options: traditional and designer. In the traditional packages, the photos are mounted on black mats in a beautiful album. The designer albums are distressed leather and each page is custom designed to personal specifications.

Whether the photographer is found through friends and family connections, or a professional studio, know what you want and choose someone you can trust to give it to you.