Your wedding was perfect. Everything went as planned, the best man didn’t make an embarrassing speech, and your now-husband didn’t leave you jilted at the alter. But then the day comes when you receive the proofs of your wedding photos, and suddenly, you’re faced with a nuptial nightmare you never saw coming: your wedding photos are awful.

For Pop Photo reader Billi Hughes, this grim nightmare became reality. She didn’t just choose her photographer on a whim either – the photographer she worked with she knew very well, and she knew his work. She worked as his assistant before asking him to document her wedding. He shot weddings consistently and had two and a half years of experience, and according to her, he never fell short until he shot her wedding.

The photographer provided her with washed out images that showed no detail in her dress, there are no close ups, many of the images were blurry, there wasn’t a single picture of the bride alone, and the photos couldn’t be framed because the photographer had placed heads were near the top of the frame in every group shot.

When she confronted the photographer, he said, “Sorry you did not like them, tough.”

We asked some of the best wedding photographers in the world how you can prevent this wedding photography nightmare from happening to you.

1. Plan Ahead
It’s important to book your wedding photographer at least nine months before your wedding. According to California based wedding photographer Bambi Cantrell, in some areas, like the San Francisco Bay, booking a year in advance is smart. Also, think about when you are having your wedding. If you are getting married in the spring or summer, find your photographer as soon as you’ve set the date. Cantrell advises, “Don’t wait till the last minute. All of the great [photographers] will be gone.”

2. Choose the splurge over the steal
When searching for your photographer, keep in mind that when your wedding is all said and done, no one is going to remember what you ate or what music was played, they are going to remember what they see in your spectacular wedding photographs. If you fall in love with a certain photographer’s style, but think their rates are steep, remember that your wedding photographer should constitute a substantial amount of your budget.

According to Cantrell, “Your wedding photographs are the only lasting item from your wedding day, and this is not one of the areas you want to cut cost.”

She also cautions, “Be wary of ‘too good to be true’ deals . . . Be curious about hiring any photographer willing to deeply discount his work. Wedding photography is a great deal of work, not to mention pressure. Remember, in this area, you get what you pay for.”

3. Sign a contract
According to southern California based wedding photographer Jose Villa, the first thing any wedding photographer should do with a client is sign a contract. If you find a photographer who doesn’t ask you to sign a contract, seriously consider choosing another photographer. If you ask a photographer to enter into a contract with you, and he refuses, find someone else to shoot your wedding.

“I always have signed contracts. No questions asked . . . even with my friends. It’s just too risky to have these type of issues after the weddings had been shot,” said Villa.

According to Cantrell, contracts are incredibly important. “There should be information in it that provides compensation if neglect is found,” she said. Hughes didn’t sign a contract, and even though she was incredibly displeased with her wedding photos, she has no concrete rights to receive a refund since her and the photographer did not enter into contract. Contracts protect both the client and photographer, and are truly essential when dealing with an event that you can never do over.

4. Do Your Homework
Although it is your photographer’s job to have everything running smoothly the day of your wedding, do not assume this will be the case. Leaving everything in the hands of a single person will leave you powerless. In Hughes’ situation, she forgot to print out the selected poses she wanted taken at her wedding. Yes, the photographer should have taken care of this, but if she had been able to print out the poses, he would not have been able to use that as an excuse for providing her with poor quality images, which he later did when she confronted him about her photographs. The more leg work you do on your end, the less reason your photographer will have not to live up to his or her work, so stay on top of things – it will ensure that your photographer does as well.

5. Be on time
Although it may sound obvious, Cantrell recommends that you be punctual. If you are on time, the more time your photographer will have to do their job. Cantrell likes that the entire wedding party be ready for photographs three hours before the wedding. While this may sound extreme, the bride is more likely to be relaxed three hours before the wedding, as opposed to one hour before. Wedding photos are not something you that should be rushed, so it is imperative that you make sure things are running according to schedule.

Hopefully, you never find yourself in Hughes’ situation. If you’re savvy about choosing a wedding photographer, it’s likely that you’ll have spectacular images to document your wedding day.

The post How to Avoid a Wedding Photo Nightmare appeared first on Popular Photography.

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If your images need a boost of inspiration, skip the beach and the big cities, and consider instead one of our unique photo trips. These adventures down the road less traveled will help you look at the world in a different way, and if its unique shots you’re after, you’ll definitely come home from these trips with plenty.

Chase Tornadoes.

Texas-based Tempest Tours has been offering storm-chasing tours since 2001, but starting June 20, they’ll add a photo-centric 9-day twister tour to their offerings. Their chase team includes many published photographers, and the photo tour (which departs from Denver, CO), will cover topics such as how to capture lighting and tornadoes. Check out some of the shots they’ve taken and sign up at www.tempesttours.com or (817) 274-9313.

Snorkel with Penguins.

A trip any nature photographer would be hard-pressed to resist, the Galapagos is home to some of the world’s strangest and most fascinating creatures. Discover why Darwin was so infatuated by the island and embark on a 10-day National Geographic Photo Expedition.

The itinerary includes kayaking to volcanic shores and sailing through uncharted waters in a glass bottom boat. Where else will you get the opportunity to photograph sea lions, blue footed boobies, and snorkel . . . with penguins! Special photo expeditions available, and while there’s still spots open for the summer, you’ll save $500 if you book for early fall. For more information visit http://www.expeditions.com//

Capture Lava Flows.

Live volcanoes can be an illusive and dangerous subject to capture, but at Hawaii’s Kilauea, anything is possible. Volcano Discovery leads tours to Kilauea, which almost always includes the opportunity to view live, flowing lava. The itinerary, which varies according to the volcano’s activity, includes a hike to the “huge, active lava flow field” and if the opportunity to photograph lava flowing into the ocean arises, you will surely be there to witness it. Tours to Kilauea run year round. For more information visit www.volcanodiscovery.com

Discover Shipwrecks.

You don’t have to travel to the Bermuda Triangle in hopes of photographing a shipwreck. There are six shipwrecks waiting just under the surface of Michigan’s Lake Superior for you to explore, and shoot. For example, The Bermuda, which sank in 1870, is easily accessed by beginning divers since its top deck is located just 12 feet underwater. Shipwreck Tours will take you to six different wrecks, but you must have a SCUBA certification to participate in their dives. If you aren’t SCUBA certified, Shipwreck’s glass bottom boat tours also provide tons of unique photo ops. For more information contact Shipwreck Tours at (906) 387-4477 or visit http://www.exploringthenorth.com/scuba/diving.html//. For information on how to get SCUBA certified check out www.scuba.com, which offers online courses.

Dog Sled by Day, Get Photo Tips by Night.

Sure it’s summer now, but it’s the perfect time to plan your winter trip. Consider the Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge in Minnesota, which offers 5-day photo workshops and dogsled vacations. Time Life photographer Layne Kennedy will be leading the trip, holding nightly workshops with tips for both from beginners and pros. This is the perfect photo adventure complete with professional technical advice, once in a lifetime photo ops, and a totally unique method of transportation that will bring new perspective to your shots. Visit www.dogsledding.com for more information.

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For the serious photographer, a summer vacation isn’t about relaxing or spending time with family; it’s about coming home with stunning shots. And sometimes, there is nothing a photographer won’t do for their dream shot. Unfortunately, some of the world’s most photogenic places come equipped with obvious dangers. There are boundaries that even the most experienced traveling photographer should never overstep (literally). Here are six ways your vacation photos could kill you.

1. Falling into the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of the most astounding natural wonders in the world, and every year, five million people visit it.

While the canyon’s beauty is undeniable, what perfect-shot-obsessed thrill seeking photographers fail to realize (or choose to overlook) is how dangerous it is. Although people don’t die at the Grand Canyon every day, deaths are not uncommon, and are usually a result of photo ops gone awry. While some popular scenic outlooks are equipped with railings, others aren’t. In October 2007, a 4-year-old girl fell 137 meters off the edge of the canyon just west of Mather Point, a popular overlook. It’s easy to end up over stepping while trying to get the perfect photo. If you find yourself near an overlook without a rail, just pay attention to what you are doing, and do not follow in the footsteps of this photographer. While the authenticity of this stunt has been questioned, this photographer’s actions were foolish nonetheless.

As the National Park Service puts it, “The difference between a great hike (or photos) and a trip to the hospital is you!” You should definitely take all the precautions that hikers take by not overestimating your abilities, planning accordingly, taking breaks to refuel, and bringing enough water. But also, be aware that a great shot could cost you your life if you get too caught up in the moment.

2. Attacked by Wildlife

Yellowstone National Park is a famous site for brilliant photography and home to natural wonders such as Old Faithful. But the nation’s first National Park is also home to thousands of wild animals, and visitors can often forget that it’s not a petting zoo. It’s not uncommon for visitors to be injured by wildlife, especially buffalo.

In the spring when the buffalo are protecting their new young, they can become very dangerous if a human is invading their comfort zone. They seem docile and peaceful, but are complete unpredictable, as this video shows us.

If you don’t keep your distance from these animals, you could be gored to death. On June 28, 2008, Newsday reported that a 12-year-old boy ended up in the hospital after posing near buffalo and being flipped in the air. He was just a few feet away, but the park rules state that visitors must stay 25 yards away from the buffalo.

Luckily, with the advent of the telephoto lens, there is no need to get that close to these creatures in their natural habitat. You can sit back, enjoy the scenery, and shoot away while avoiding an unnecessary trip to the hospital.

3. Attacked Underwater

Underwater photography, and diving in general, presents a danger for even the most experienced diver/photographer, whether you’re swimming with a school of fish, or with sharks. While there are ways to reduce your chances of being preyed upon by a shark, there are some species of sharks that humans should never dive amongst unprotected. Tiger sharks are one of those species.

The threat of death did not stop photographer Karin Brussaard from booking a photo centric shark expedition to the Bahamas where she was promised the chance to swim along side, and shoot Tiger sharks. Although she arrived home safely, stunning shots in tow, others have not been as lucky. As the Editor’s note to the Pop Photo article cautions, Markus Groh, a veteran diver from Vienna, Austria, was killed by a Tiger shark while on an expedition virtually identical to Karin’s.

The article details the basics of shark photography safety, but the most important rule by far is to NEVER look through the viewfinder for more than 5 seconds.

Unfortunately, the bottom line is, no matter how safety conscience you are, sharks can be deadly creatures, and although you may dream of taking their picture, embarking on an adventure of this kind is something that should not be done on a whim. Consider the risks, and resist the impulse to hit “confirm reservation now” if you haven’t weighed the consequences properly.

4. Drowned by Waterfalls

Niagara Falls, Victoria Falls, Angel Falls . . . Whether the waterfall you’re trying to photograph is one of the greatest in the world, or a favorite local subject of interest, the danger of death is the same. In Hall County, Georgia, photographer Thomas Campbell was found in a pool of water, and police concluded that it was likely that he slipped on rocks and fell to his death while trying to take a picture. The waterfall of Campbell’s interest was 150 feet high, miniscule in comparison to Angel Fall’s height of 3,212 feet.

When photographing waterfalls from the top of the drop, it’s important to find a stable area to stand, and while it may not provide the optimal vantage point, it could save your life. Creeping to close to the edge can result in death and even if you are being safe, it’s easy to get lost in the moment and slip unexpectedly. Before you venture to the site of the waterfall, consult a hiking enthusiast or park ranger familiar with the area and find out what areas provide the best, and safest views for shooting.

5. Struck by Lightning

The odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are 1 in 700,000, while the odds of being struck in your lifetime are 1 in 5,000, according to the National Weather Service. It’s a lot more likely that a seasoned photographer with a knack for storm chasing will be struck by lightning than an average person caught in a storm.

According to photographer Chuck Doswell, “There is no way to take lightning photos without risk. You are likely to be standing near a metal tripod, holding onto a metal cable release in a relatively exposed location in a thunderstorm.” Lightning doesn’t even need to strike you to be dangerous in this case, so all those above statistics surely increase drastically. He says that generally, it is safer inside your car, and you should shoot from within your car whenever possible. He also cautions that lightning is unpredictable, but there are some ways to lessen your chances of being hurt.

Shooting from under a tree doesn’t lessen your risk of being harmed, and wearing insulated shoes won’t prevent any damage. While not all people struck by lightning are killed, often times, your heart stops beating, so it would be safe to have someone with you who can perform CPR, granted they don’t get struck as well.

Being struck by lightning is something most people think is a freak occurrence, but shooting during lightning is never safe.
6. The Wrong Place at the Wrong Time

Unfortunately, sometimes there is nothing you can do to avoid the danger that you may encounter while trying to get a great shot. In March 2008, photographer Julio Ortega was killed while trying to take a picture of steam rising over the New York City skyline from his perch on the Queensboro Bridge.

ABC News reported that an off duty cop, Brandon Colon, drove down a blocked lane on the 59th Street Bridge and ran down Ortega. Colon was later found to be intoxicated.

Ortega was not at fault for this freak accident, he was just trying to capture the shot he envisioned. In fact, his first photography exhibit was set to open days after he was killed.
Before embarking on any kind of photo centric adventure that has the potential to be dangerous, ask yourself if a photo is really worth your life.
Check out some more photo treks with the potential for both danger and great photos!

The post Six Vacation Photos That Can Kill You appeared first on Popular Photography.

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