Hello, future brides or if you are a groom (please give the computer back to you future wife)... just kidding. My name is Wiaan Coffee, and yes my surname really is Coffee. I’m the owner of Wiaan Coffee Photography (www.wiaancoffee.co.za) I am a photographer that specialises in Weddings and Engagements. I am married to my beautiful wife Nicola. Together we capture your special memories.
We reside in the beautiful City of Roses (Bloemfontein). We have been privileged to have captured weddings across South Africa. We love Jesus and love to honour Him with the talents He gave us. We are easy-going down to earth type of people that loves coffee and good jokes.
My photography style have been shaped throughout the years to a Darkish Emotion Filled Story-Telling Style. What do I mean with Dark? Simply put: A bit under-exposed photos that I capture of your special day. I want to tell a story of my photos,
and capture real moments...
Secondly, the wedding photographer is one of the Most Important Vendors you can hire for your wedding, besides the Venue. *I’m not just saying this to get your money. Flowers are going to fade, drapes will be forgotten and you won’t really drive the wedding car again, but the pictures of all those mentioned, you will have for the rest of your lives. If you ask your uncle that has a old camera that have not been used in 10 years, you will definitely be disappointed with the moments that was missed.
1.What is your style?
Before you begin researching photographers, you’ll need to first decide what type of photography style you prefer, as that will help determine which kind of photographer you’ll want shooting your wedding. In all 3 mentioned below you get over-exposed style (white backgrounds, clean and good lighting) and under-exposed style (a bit darker, full of emotion and lots of details). Don’t overthink it; you’ll know you like it when you see it.
Traditional:
To explain this easily, this is more in the style of posed or staged images of the wedding couple and guests. They focus more on the key shots that work. That’s not to say there isn’t room for creativity in this category. These photographers will pose subjects in more traditional spots (like at the ceremony altar or out on the lawn of the country club) and in more formal poses (standing as a group together)
Story-telling:
Instead of a series of posed photos, these are candid or spontaneous pictures of people, décor and the action. Typical shots might include children playing, heartfelt conversations or you and your bridesmaids laughing, champagne in hand. With a more documentary photographer, you’ll very rarely see people staring at the camera—the photos capture the moments exactly as they happened, and together they tell a story, with real moments.
Edgy and Bold:
This style of photography, a mixture of both, is marked by outside-the-box, tilted angles and creative framing. So instead of a straight-on shot of the couple exchanging vows at the altar, the photo might look tilted, with an object like an altar arrangement or a candle in the foreground. Or the photo of the bride having her makeup done might be shot from above, with an emphasis on the eye shadow brush rather than on her face.
2. Make sure your personalities get along
Don’t underestimate the importance of liking and bonding with your photographer. They’ll be shadowing your every move, and the more comfortable both of you are with the photographer, the better the photos will turn out. In order to get the best photos, go with a pro who has a firm grasp of social gatherings but is bold enough to go out hunting for great images and who, above all, puts you at ease and doesn’t irritate you in any way. To get the best photos, your photographer needs to be assertive enough to seek out great moments, relaxed enough to get natural smiles from guests, and calm enough to be a positive influence. They should ask lots of questions and be a good listener.
3. Creativity
A key trait of a wedding photographer, or any type of photographer for that matter, is having a keen eye for creativity. Brilliant photographers imagine a shot in their mind moments before it actually happens. This enables them to be ready to take the picture and make sure they have a clear shot with their camera. A creative photographer can also provide you with the most stunning pictures as they will have the knowledge of which poses or layouts will create the most magical photographs.
4. Attention to detail
Along with a creative eye, a great photographer must also have a strong attention to even the slightest of details. This will ensure that every precious moment, no matter how small, is captured.
5. Patience
We all know wedding days can be a little hectic. Sometimes not everything goes according to plan, so it is important to have a photographer by your side who is patient, calm, and ready to deal with any curveballs.
In the end the photographer should treat you as a loving client, and guide you in their field of expertise.
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