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How do I Choose a Wedding Photographer?

How do I Choose a Wedding Photographer?

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How do I Choose a Wedding Photographer?

How do I Choose a Wedding Photographer?

Here are a few tips and some advice to making a decision on hiring a professional photographer for your wedding.

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1. Do your potential photographers offer the services you desire?

Before you look at the packages offered by your potential photographers, sit down with your significant other and make a list of what is important to you when it comes to hiring a photographer. Rank it in order of importance. Here are  a few questions to consider:

    1. Do you want all day coverage? Do you just need a few hours?
    2. How fast do you want the turn around of your photos?
    3. Do you desire an album? Parent albums?
    4. Do you want the digital files? How large or small do you need your files?
    5. Do you want prints or enlargements?
    6. Are all the images retouched?
    7. Extra photography sessions besides the wedding day. Are engagement portraits important to you? What about a Trash the Dress session?

Next, take a look at the packages and services your potential photographers offer. If you don’t see packages you like, see if your potential photographers can customize a package. Keep in mind, most of the standard packages photographers put together are their best deals.

2. Can you and your photographer “jive” personally?

Don’t underestimate the importance of liking and bonding with your photographer.

I’m not saying you need to enjoy the same music, share your deepest secrets, or commit to a vacation with your photographer, but as a bridal couple, you should really like your photographer’s personality and mannerisms. The person you will spend the most time with on your wedding day besides your significant other is your photographer.

Ask your potential photographers to grab a cup of coffee. See what develops.

3. Do your potential photographers’ photos visually match your style? 

Ask your potential photographers to see a full wedding, at least 5o to 100 photos from the same wedding. Do you like what you see?

If you’re thinking of booking with a company where there is more than one photographer, make sure the sample work you are seeing is the same person that will be photographing on your wedding day. Don’t get caught in the ol’ bait n’switch. Many large companies present you with the best of the best photos, but the person showing up on your wedding day may be the lowest bidder to your wedding contract.

Remember, the photos can be hanging on your wall for years and years to come so take the steps to make sure there is a high probability that you will not just like, but love your photos.

4. Can they produce images of your personal wedding day?

This sounds like a silly question, but what is your wedding day?

Is your wedding taking place in a romantically lit reception hall? Make sure your potential photographer shows you photos taken in dimly lit circumstances. If you’re getting married on the beach at high noon, make sure they can show you photos taken outside in the sunlight. If all their sample photos are the opposite of your potential wedding day, how do you know they can perform well at your wedding?

Remember, just because your potential photographers do not have your exact wedding condition samples on their website or in an album doesn’t mean the photos do not exist. Most photographers forget to put their range on their website and only show their favorite photos or photos they are the most proud of. If you’d like to see specific photography conditions, all you need to do is ask.

5. Do they use professional equipment? More importantly, do they know HOW to use professional equipment?

Even if the names of cameras and lens don’t mean anything to you, don’t be afraid to ask. Let it go in one ear and out the other, but just get your potential photographers talking about their equipment. If they stumble and look embarrassed, maybe you should look into this further. They might not know how to use their equipment very well, or it might not be professional grade equipment. And if they DO know how to use their equipment, you’ve just flattered them showing interest.

Would you hire a handy-man to fix your house if he couldn’t name the tools in his tool box?

6. Are they making you sign a contract?

Make sure it’s a professional company. If any of your venders are not requiring you sign a contract, this is a definite warning sign. A contract will protect both you and your vender.

Another note, make sure you read the contract before you sign. Feel free to ask any questions regarding the wording or what is in the contract; your potential photographer should be able to tell you what everything in the contract means. Also, just because your potential photographer verbally told you something does not mean it is what the contract states. When it comes down to the lay of the law, the judge will go with what you signed on paper.

7. How many years have you been a photographer? Are your potential photographers competent?

The years of photography experience question is not the most productive question you can ask. A person could be doing photography for 20 years, but they could be doing lousy photography for 20 years, but it still counts as 20 years of experience.

I’ve met some absolutely brilliant photographers that have only been shooting weddings for less than two years. These talented individuals get written off because they simply don’t have the number behind them. What makes them brilliant? They have an eye for it, they are extremely talented, and they are not tired of the wedding business.

If years of experience is weighing on your decision, ask your potential photographers if you can do a mini-photo session before you sign a contract. Book your engagement session first, sign a wedding contract after the fact. This gives you a chance to evaluate their work before you sign a contract promising them thousands of dollars.

I personally won’t charge a potential couple upfront for an engagement session if they want to test out my photography skills. If they decide to go with my photography studio, I will roll the cost of the session into their wedding package. Most of our photography packages come with an engagement session.  If they decide to not go with my company, I’ll send them a bill for my work.

8. Is the juice worth the squeeze?

Have you heard the horror stories about hiring one of those chain companies that does your wedding planning, DJ, photography, videography, cake, dress, flowers as an all-in-one? But, it’s a really, really, good price. Yes, some of the all-in-one companies can offer you flashy deals, but most of the time leave you highly disappointed after the fact when your wedding didn’t live up to the hype. If you’re willing to take that risk to save the money, that’s your call.

There is also the financial flip-side. You could be looking at a hoity-toity over-popular photographer. I strongly believe that staying away from the lowest bidder and hiring a true professional is the way to go with wedding photography. BUT there is probably not much reason to be blowing your entire wedding budget (and your house down-payment  money) on a photographer; unless you’re going for celebrity status, of course.

If you’re searching for a seasoned professional, expect to spend anywhere between $2,000 and $8,000 on your wedding photography. Obviously this depends on the region (this will flux), but on average it’s pretty accurate. You’re paying for their time at your wedding. You’re paying for the preparation (phone calls, e-mails, planning) that goes in before your wedding. You’re paying for the post work of uploading, editing, and album design. You’re paying for their experience in their professional field.

9. Listen to your gut.

There is something to be said about intuition. Use it!

At the exact moment when your fiancé proposed to you, did you make lists, interview other suiters, and heavily weigh your decision while your fiancé waited in anticipation? I’m sure you knew before he proposed that ‘yes’ would be your answer.

Why did you know without giving it a second thought? Your intuition. Your gut told you it was the right answer. I’m sure there was a moment in your dating career when your gut told you that it would be fantastic to spend the rest of your life with this individual. If your gut found your perfect mate, why can’t you use your intuition to make a decision about your wedding photographer?

That being said, don’t be afraid to sleep on your photographer decision. I wouldn’t wait too long though, I’m sure there is a Murphy’s Law that comes into effect if you take too long to make a decision.

10. All you have to do is ask.

Don’t be afraid to ask your photographer for something you really really want regarding your wedding photography.  It could be as simple as having an off-the-wall portrait location in mind (my husband and I got some of our wedding pictures taken at the LL Bean flagship store… why? Because we could) to having a photo of the two wearing a snorkeling mask in your wedding clothes. Maybe you have a specific pose you want to do after you dawn your gown because there is a photo of your mother, grandmother, and great-grand mother all in a similar pose on their wedding days. If it means something to you and your fiancé, speak up, it’s your big day!

I hope that is some good food for thought. Cheers! -Jen

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