AFTER THE WEDDING

The bride and groom are, of course, going to want to see their pictures as soon as possible. If they're trotting off to their honeymoon, then you've got a little time, so don't sweat it. If not though, get your film developed (or read into your computer if you're doing this digitally) as soon as possible. If you're shooting on film, it would be a good idea to number the back of the proofs and make a key for the negatives so they can be easily identified later for prints. Remove any obviously bad shots and get the proofs to the couple so they can pick the prints and sizes they want. Have the prints made (or make them yourself) and your job is essentially complete. Some photographers will put the album together for the couple; others merely deliver the finished prints. Which you choose to do is between you and the couple. If you don't plan on doing any more wedding photography, then have a few prints made for yourself as mementos and give everything else to the couple. If you want to continue with shooting weddings as the opportunity arises, then have double prints made of the proofs and number both sets. Keep one set, the negatives and key for yourself, and give the other set to the couple. If you're shooting digitally, it might be nice to give the couple their photos on CD-ROM as well, so they have the images for their digital library. If you're a friend, you may want to give all the photos to the couple. But if you're doing this for money, you may want to engage in a practice as old as weddings (or at least as old as wedding photography). As you are now a budding wedding photographer, you may want your clients to come back to you if they want to buy extra prints.