Married, finally! The planning is done, the ceremony was beautiful, you're back from the honeymoon, and you exhale ... only to find yourself with pages of proof sheets filled with beautiful photographs taken during your wedding experience. More than a few wedding photographers and brides have told us that months after the ceremony, the bride and groom still haven't selected the images they'll want as keepsakes of their special day.
When you book your photographer, discuss what proofing options are available. You can go through every image shot, or have your photographers use their judgment to select ones they think you'll want as keepsakes. Some photographers set a deadline for you to choose your photos, so if you think you might be overwhelmed with a looming deadline and hundreds of photos to review, let your photographers know so they can work with you.
Typically, you can see print proofs as
- 4'' x 6'': Photographers often compile these in a presentation box or an album.
- 8" x 10" and 10" x 13": These proof sheets are often put in portfolios and contain multiple images on each page.
- CDs, DVDs and online: Digital images may be tagged so you can easily scan to select the images that interest you. You also have the ability to zoom-in on photos; in some cases you also have the ability to edit and crop photos.
If you look at proofs online or on screen, be sure to also look at hard copies of the images you like-computer monitors vary and what you see on screen may not be the same as a printed photograph.
Once you've selected your favorite photos, it's time to decide how to display them. Wedding photographers often offer their services to create photo books or canvas prints. A benefit of having digital copies of your wedding photos is that you can have your photographer create photo albums and keepsakes soon after the wedding, taking care of immediate gifts and then using the digital images to create your own keepsakes on your timeline.
Here's a sample of professional-quality products you can easily create at Shutterfly:
No matter what keepsakes you create, be sure to have your favorite wedding pictures handy in electronic form. You'll find yourself sharing your online photo galleries with friends, colleagues and family for some time to come. You'll also have plenty of opportunities to use the pictures down the road: for your next holiday cards, family reunions and as gifts for your family.
Make sure to have fun! Relive the day as you look through your pictures and create your keepsakes. It can be a special time with your new spouse, or invite people from the wedding to help you sort through the memories.
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