13 Apr 2022
Destination Wedding Planner
SERVICES: VENDORS - PHOTOGRAPHY
INTERVIEW WITH DIANA FISCHER - DFISCHERWEDDINGS
The vendor that is almost always at every wedding is certainly the wedding photographer. If you are looking for a high-end wedding, you cannot get around hiring one who has some kind of sixth sense for the perfect moments and angles. Nowadays videographers are also often added who create a trailer or a film after the wedding. I personally would always recommend booking a wedding photographer and not a photographer who has done weddings before because the level of professionalism will simply be different. To provide you with a better insight into being a wedding photographer I have spoken to Diana Fischer of Dfischerweddings.
WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE BIG DAY
"Before you book make sure that the photographer has shown you pictures of real weddings. Styled Shootings show what the photographer is capable of but real weddings can have a different effect.!
Diana Fischer
WW: Thanks for your time, Diana, it is lovely to speak to you. Let's start at the beginning: Why should you hire a wedding photographer?
DF: Thanks for having me! My favourite answer is: Why do YOU want one? I believe that every couple has to answer that for themselves but if pictures are important to you, you care about them looking professional. We have the required expertise when it comes to different lighting scenarios, equipment, special moments or image composition. I don't walk around and press the button by chance. I know the right moments and am with the couple at every step of their wedding. You need a certain sixth sense for the timelines and also routine. I have to be able to read the room to know when a special moment is created.. Ich laufe nicht nur herum und drücke aus Versehen im richtigen Moment ab – ich lege mich fast schon auf die Lauer und begleite das Hochzeitspaar den ganzen Tag. Man benötigt ein gewisses Feingespür für die Abläufe und auch Routine, ich muss den Raum lesen können, um zu wissen, wann ein besonderer Moment entsteht.
WW: You are mentioning being with the couple at all times. What is important when it comes to picking the right wedding photographer?
DF: Oh, that is a long list! The key aspect for me is the chemistry between me and the couple. I might see them in their underwear during the getting ready and in their most emotional moments of their lives. If the chemistry is off, it is difficult to transport the atmosphere and build trust.
Moreover, it is important that the photographer's style fits the couple. Obviously, there is no right or wrong but you can see my style in my pictures although every wedding is different. I love black and white photography and try to capture the moment, thus also movement in my photos. Timeless photography is important to me so I cater to couples who want a timeless yet modern and elegant wedding.
Ask yourselves: What kind of pictures do I want to look at in 30, 40 years time? Am I simply following a trend and will I like it after some time has passed?
WHAT HAPPENS ON THE BIG DAY
WW: That sounds important! When I book you as a wedding photographer, what happens next? How do you prep for the day and what does a wedding day look like for your?
DF: The evening before and the day of I check at least 10 times whether I have packed everything - from my memory cards to batteries and especially the camera. I would rather check 11 times than forget something or mix up the date or location. Until now nothing has gone wrong (laughs). On the day of we are a lot busier than it often seems.
If I am booked for 8 hours, I follow the couple documentarily on the main events. What exactly I capture depends on the individual timeline - I could start with the getting ready or the ceremony. Where the couple is is where the action is so it is inevitable for me to be following them around, of course though in a way that it is not obvious to them. If you book me for 8 hours, this does not just include the 8 hour coverage of the wedding but also the postedit (~20 hours), a possible location scouting beforehand, the drive and simply a careful work. I know what is at stake for the couple. To me being a wedding photographer means not only taking pictures but getting to create the whole wedding. I have to think about what the right and important things are for every wedding - am I allowed to fly my drone, what is the weather going to be like and so on. What many people forget is that I pass on around 1,000 pictures. However, I leave the wedding with 3,000-5,000 pictures.
WW: You are so right. The myth is that wedding photographers are on site 8 hours and the pictures are done. How can couples make your life easier?
DF: The most important thing is that the vendors in general, not only me, are thought of when it comes to food or breaks. We are working all day and do not have the opportunity to take care of ourselves. Some couples don't think about providing food which can be difficult for us. To me it is very special if I am allowed to have a piece of the wedding cake.
Additionally, think about where I am supposed to eat or take a short break. It is up to the couple to decide whether I eat among the guests or in a separate room. If I am in a separate room though, someone should be assigned to get me if something unexpected happens. If I missed a spontaneous speech or a surprise I didn't know of, that would be such a bummer. The best case scenario is if I am in contact with the maid of honour or the best man who can inform me about anything that is planned. This way everything is kept as a surprise but I am there to capture it. It is super important that someone coordinates the wedding, ideally a wedding planner.
WW: I realise that as well when I talk to couples - they have planned everything themselves but forget that they do not have the time (and often do not want) to be in charge of everything on their wedding day. You do not want to spend your wedding reminding your Aunt on where to be next. What are your favourite moments at weddings?
DF: If I get some of the cake (laughs). One of the top moments is also the first look. Especially when it is celebrated before the walk down the aisle. I cannot explain it but something magical happens when the couple gets to seem each other for the very first time. The speeches can also be beautiful and very emotional.
FUN FACTS ABOUT DIANA FISCHER
1) My insider's tip: Be able to separate the cakes into the different tiers so that every guest can choose the flavour they want. Otherwise, the wedding cake will be eaten from top to bottom and guests have to eat what they are given.
2) I think that the most important vendor - next to the photographer - is the MUA. If they don't do a good job and the bride does not feel her most beautiful her whole day can be ruined. This feeling transports onto the pictures and it is so sad if that happens.
3) The only thing I don't like shooting are group settings. They almost always are posed and creativity can very quickly become cheesy. I prioritise real scenes in my pictures but of course I understand that group pictures are super important for the couple, especially when many generations are included.
4) We can't do magic! Although we are good at Photoshop: If the background is bad, it is bad. If grandma's laundry is still up when you are getting ready, it is there. We can touch up a lot of things but we cannot create new scenarios.
WW: Thank you so much for the interview, Diana, it was a lot of fun!
DF: Thank you!
"A piece of cake is my tip!"
Diana Fischer
All pictures in this blog entry are property of Diana Fischer.
Please visit Diana on her website Dianafischerweddings and convince yourselves of her work. Have you got more questions regarding other vendors? Check out my Overview of Vendors here.
If you have ideas for your own wedding but are not sure how to realise them, contact me so that I can help you make your dream wedding come true.