Tips on Selecting a Photographer
As the prices of those fancy DSLR cameras continue to drop, more and more inexperienced wedding photographers are entering the marketplace offering up their services for cut-rate prices.
Unfortunately, many breaking into the industry think because they've spent all this money on great equipment that viola! They're an instant wedding photographer… Buyer beware!
There is so much more to consider when selecting a wedding photographer than just fancy gear. Good photographers' skills are honed and developed over years of training and experience.
Experienced photographers understand lighting, composition, post processing, communication, workflow and organization. Ultimately, their skill level and experience will be the difference between a bunch of images that would otherwise be hard to differentiate from a point and shoot camera and photographic heirlooms that take your breath away and last a lifetime.
Some points to consider when selecting a wedding photographer:
- References: Ask to speak with some of your photographers past clients, probe those clients and ask about their experiences with the photographer, did he(she) live up to their expectations? Was he or she easy to work with on the wedding day itself? Did they manage the posed parts of the wedding day quickly and efficiently? Did they honor the contract? Were there any unexpected fees or charges that weren't clearly outlined in the contract? Were you satisfied with the quality of the work and was the price/value relationship a good one?
- Communication. Make sure you have an open line of communication between you and your photographer. Understand exactly what the expectations are as they are laid out in the contract. Most photographers have a standard list of "must have" shots for every wedding. However, you may have some different ideas for some of your images – perhaps something your saw in a magazine or a pose that was taken at a friend or relatives wedding. Setting expectations between you and your photographer will help insure that you're getting what you want and are paying for and will lead to a better experience and better results.
expectations between you and your photographer will help insure that you're getting what you want and are paying for and will lead to a better experience and better results.
- Does the photographer's style match what you're looking for? More and more photographers are migrating to a "photojournalistic" style of wedding/event photography. Since the advent of digital, the traditional posing style of wedding photography is gradually becoming a thing of the past. Is the photographer into black and white, more candid or artistic photography? Most importantly, is their style what YOU want out of your wedding images?
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- Understand pricing and the contract: Make sure you understand exactly what you're getting and make sure it's ALL in the contract. How many images does your package include? How will the images be delivered? How many hours of photography are included? What happens if the photographer stays longer than the contracted amount of time? Do they use an assistant? Is a second photographer an added expense? Are the arrival times/dates/locations outlined and agreed to in the contract? Whatever it is, make sure it's in writing in the contract!
- Photo samples: Ask to see as much of the photographers work as possible. Do you like what you see? Are the photos similar to what you have in mind for your wedding? Do the images justify the pricing the photographer has placed on his/her services?
Most of all, make sure you develop a good relationship with your photographer, he or she will ultimately be responsible for delivering the goods after your wedding. |
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