Hiring a photographer is one of the most important aspects of planning a wedding.  After all, your photos will be tangible memories that you will want to share for many years to come.  Selecting the right photographer can be a daunting task, but with over 29 years of experience and an eye for detail, Gerard Tomko shared his tips to help every bride ensure that she chooses the right photographer for her wedding. 

CitySaheli interviewed the international photographer to get an inside look at what inspires him and what he recommends looking for to select the perfect photographer.

CitySaheli:  Can you describe some of you inspirations?
Tomko:  I have always thought of inspiration as the place where art begins and I am inspired by many things everyday. Energy inspires whether it be a bride and groom, dance music or just generally watching people come together to celebrate and have a good time.  The passion that fuels my creativity can also be very inspiring.

CitySaheli:  What inspired you to go into photography and specifically wedding photography?
Tomko:  I have always had a great love and appreciation for visual arts.  Even when I was a child I always enjoyed visiting museums, drawing and of course taking pictures.  I love to capture emotions in the medium of photography, so that organically led me to wedding photography.  As we all know emotions can run high at a wedding!

CitySaheli:  How would you describe your working style? And your photography style?
Tomko:  My working style is very organized yet creative.  I understand the importance of getting all the traditional “parent pleasers” shots but when a bride and groom hire me they are looking for that little bit of edge in their photos.  I also think that a fun, upbeat personality and good sense of humor allow the clients to feel relaxed and at ease.   The end result is awesome relaxed “candid” images instead of stiff, boring poses.  As far as my photography style, I am not a photo journalist, which means and I don’t stick to one style of photography.  I adapt my style to whatever the bride and groom want and what works best in the given situation. 

CitySaheli:  How many South Asian/ South Asian fusion weddings have you shot, how have they been different from other weddings?
Tomko:  I have photographed approximately 20 South Asian/South Asian fusion weddings.  The amazing décor, bright colors and different traditions make photographing a South Asian wedding an awe inspiring experience.  I love the fact that even in 2010 the traditions and ceremonies of South Asian weddings and still alive and well.  Talk about inspiring!

CitySaheli:  If you were looking for a wedding photographer, what questions would you absolutely ask potential photographers?
Tomko:  These days a lot of people with a digital cameras and computers call themselves a photographer.  The first thing I would want to know from any potential photographer is how many years of experience they have in the industry.  I would also want to know if the photographer is going to be shooting the entire wedding.  For example, some photographers will only shoot eight hours and then charge overtime fees for anything beyond the scheduled eight hours.  You also want to make sure your photography package includes albums for you and your family, proofs and post production work (i.e. retouching, color correction etc.)  It is usually best that the photographer who attended the wedding conduct the post production work as he is familiar with the true to life colors of the decor. 

CitySaheli:  Can you share with us some of your favorite memories you have captured at a wedding?
Tomko:  One of my favorite memories is from a wedding I photographed in Goa, India.  The bride was telling me about her elderly grandfather.  She mentioned that he was planning to attend the wedding even though he had been ill lately.  As soon as he arrived we decided to take some quick shots right before the ceremonies were about to begin.  The grandfather sat down in a chair and the bride kneeled down behind him and draped her bangle arms and mehendi covered hands around him.  At that very moment the grandfather’s eyes filled up with tears and I was able to capture an image that conveyed love, pride and pure happiness like I have never seen before. 

CitySaheli:  Can you tell us about the advantages of producing pictures in black and white versus color?
Tomko:  I wouldn’t say that there are any distinct advantages to shooting in black and white versus color, it all just depends on how you use the two styles.  I like to use black and white photography to capture candid moments because it gives the images an artistic feel.  I like producing color images when I am shooting the actual wedding ceremony.  A lot of works goes into creating a theme for a wedding and color is a big part of that, I like to make sure to capture that. 

CitySaheli:  How many photographers do you recommend having at a wedding?
Tomko:  I usually recommend two to three photographers, but it really depends on the size of your wedding.  When selecting a photography team it’s all about quality not quantity.

CitySaheli:  Do you have any tips for our readers to ensure the best lighting for photography?
Tomko:  Typically natural light is the most flattering.  In the world of photography there is something called “sweet light” which is natural light at either sunrise or sunset when the sun is at it lowest point in the horizon.  At this time of day, the sun shines a golden light that highlights the facial features and gives your skin a glow.  When natural light is not possible, a video light as opposed to a flash makes the facial features pop and adds incredible dimension to the images.

To contact Gerard Tomko, please visit www.gerardtomko.com

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