| Let's begin with some helpful advice on the best way | | | | companies that run their businesses this way, and |
| to schedule your special day to get the most out of | | | | believe it or not, completely get away with it. These |
| your photographer. | | | | companies contract out their jobs to freelance |
| In the past, it was always highly recommended that | | | | photographers, or sometimes they have many |
| the couple personally meet with several | | | | wedding photographers working for them and just |
| photographers before making a commitment. Today, | | | | neglect to inform brides of this oh-so-important fact. |
| however, interactive websites and high quality | | | | What does this mean? It means that the wonderful |
| slideshows allow people to review a photographer's | | | | photographer you spoke to most likely had no |
| work without ever making a personal appointment. | | | | intentions of photographing your wedding. (That is IF |
| If you are taking that route and not meeting with | | | | he was even a photographer at all. Sometimes they |
| your photographer, have an in-depth phone interview | | | | are just the salesperson for the company!) But |
| and make sure to communicate with couples that | | | | there's more! It also means that his beautiful work |
| have used his services in the past. Do obtain at least | | | | and photography style that you fell in love with was |
| three references and make sure that you have a | | | | most likely a compilation of work from the many |
| good rapport with the photographer. If, after having | | | | different photographers they employ! |
| an in-depth conversation with a prospective | | | | So in our above scenario, how many of this unknown |
| photographer, you feel that your personalities do not | | | | photographer's wedding pictures did this bride actually |
| click, then do not hire this person! Not having a good | | | | see... IF ANY? We can conclude that there's really no |
| relationship with your photographer will affect the | | | | way of knowing for sure. So what could she have |
| quality of your pictures! | | | | done to prevent this from happening? The answer: |
| Before choosing a photographer, determine what | | | | HER HOMEWORK! Don't be a victim of this kind of |
| photography style you like best. Nowadays, the two | | | | photography nightmare! BE SURE TO ASK THE |
| main trends are traditional and photojournalism. | | | | RIGHT QUESTIONS WHEN SPEAKING TO |
| Photographers working in traditional style focus on | | | | POTENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS! |
| taking posed, formal portraits, while photojournalists | | | | Unless this type of company can show you several |
| concentrate on taking artistic candid shots. They | | | | weddings from EACH of their photographers and |
| document the "story" of your special day. If you | | | | then YOU get to pick the photographer you want, |
| prefer photojournalism but worry about the lack of | | | | then we suggest staying right away from them. The |
| family portraits, bring this issue up with your | | | | chances of finding a photography company that will |
| photographer. Most photojournalists understand the | | | | allow you to do this are slim to none. We |
| importance of family portraits and will leave a time | | | | recommend searching for a photographer that shoots |
| slot for a formal photo session. | | | | all of his weddings on his own, or better yet, a |
| When deciding on the best times for ceremony and | | | | two-person team that will photograph your wedding |
| reception, most brides do not take into consideration | | | | together so you get 2 photographers for the price |
| the time that the photographer needs to take your | | | | of one! They're hard to come by, but they're out |
| wedding pictures between the end of the ceremony | | | | there. The great thing about a two-person team is |
| and beginning of the reception. You'll be spending a | | | | that you get 2 separate points of view of your |
| lot of money on your wedding photographer so you'll | | | | wedding. Some photographers offer strictly traditional |
| want to make sure you make time for him! For | | | | photography, while others offer strictly |
| example, a common situation is to have the | | | | photojournalistic wedding photography. That's fine if |
| ceremony scheduled from 2:00 - 3:00pm with the | | | | you've decided that you only want one or the other, |
| reception starting at 3:30pm. THIS IS A NIGHTMARE | | | | but most brides prefer a variety and feel they are |
| FOR MOST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS, especially | | | | getting the most for their money if they can find a |
| if the ceremony and reception are in two different | | | | photographer that offers both. Additionally, traditional |
| locations. | | | | photography is usually what the parents prefer, while |
| Even if they're not, this still leaves very little room for | | | | most couples tend to prefer photojournalistic |
| the much-needed time it takes to obtain some really | | | | wedding photography, so finding a photographer that |
| special portraits of the two of you. A much better | | | | does both is definitely a huge plus. These versatile |
| schedule would be to have the ceremony from | | | | photographers are also hard to come by, but again, if |
| 2:00pm - 3:00pm, with the reception starting at 5:00 | | | | you do your homework you can find them. |
| or even 6:00pm. If you're fortunate enough to find a | | | | Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer |
| photographer that gives you unlimited coverage with | | | | Are you the only photographer in this company? If I |
| your package, then you can space the events out as | | | | hire you, am I guaranteed that you will be the one |
| much as you feel comfortable and won't have to | | | | showing up to shoot my wedding? If yes, can I get |
| worry about paying your photographer anything | | | | that in writing? Is the work that I am seeing all yours |
| extra. Not that it would take that long to get the | | | | and only yours or is it a compilation of work from |
| shots he wants, but why rush it? Your day and your | | | | more than one photographer? |
| wedding photography will be much more relaxed and | | | | Can you show me 3 or more complete weddings |
| memorable if you space things out and allow yourself | | | | you've done? (By complete I mean that I'd like to |
| to enjoy every aspect of the day, including your | | | | see at least 3 different wedding albums or |
| unrushed photo shoot. | | | | slideshows, each one consisting of at least 50 images |
| There are other very important factors to consider | | | | from one event.) |
| when selecting your photographer. Please envision | | | | Do you offer traditional wedding photography? |
| the following scenario which is based on many a true | | | | Photojournalism? Or both? |
| story: | | | | Is color, B/W and sepia photography included, or is |
| You've spent months preparing for your perfect | | | | there an extra fee for B/W and sepia? |
| wedding. You've selected everything, including your | | | | Do you offer special effects, digital color separation |
| photographer, whose selection of work was | | | | and retouching? If so, are these services included or |
| outstanding and the photographer's personality was | | | | do you charge a fee for these services? |
| also wonderful. You really clicked with him (which is | | | | Is unlimited coverage included in your packages or is |
| very important!) and felt very comfortable with your | | | | there an extra fee for all day coverage? Are you |
| decision of hiring him. You really looked forward to | | | | willing to come extra early to get shots of us (the |
| interacting with this person throughout your special | | | | couple) before the ceremony if we choose to do |
| day because you got along with him so well. A huge | | | | that? Would there be a fee for this? |
| weight has been lifted from you because one of | | | | Do your packages include one or two photographers |
| your biggest concerns was being able to find a | | | | and is there an extra fee for a second |
| photographer not only whose work you loved, but | | | | photographer? |
| whose personality clicked with yours as well. After all, | | | | Do you work with an assistant? |
| you want to be as comfortable with this person as | | | | How many and what kind of cameras do you use? |
| possible since you'll be dealing with him throughout | | | | (Do you have backup equipment if something |
| your entire wedding day! | | | | breaks?) Do you use film based or digital cameras or |
| So, the big day comes and you're nervously getting | | | | a combination of both? |
| ready. Suddenly, there's a knock on your door. 'Oh, | | | | How far will you travel to a wedding before charging |
| that must be my photographer!' you exclaim | | | | a travel fee? |
| excitedly. With a smile from ear to ear you rush to | | | | Do you charge a fee if the wedding and reception |
| the door excited to greet this kind person with | | | | are in more than one location? What if we want to |
| whom you've meshed so well during your many | | | | go to a third location for pictures? Is there a charge |
| conversations over the past several months. You | | | | for this? |
| open the door and greet... a strange looking unshaven | | | | Do you offer a website and CD of my images? If so, |
| man in rumpled clothing that you've never seen | | | | is this included in the packages or this is an extra |
| before in your life! "'Hello...' he spews, 'I'm your | | | | fee? |
| photographer!'..." There's really no need for us to | | | | If you don't have a package that works for me, |
| continue with this very true horror story. The scene | | | | would you be willing to try and customize one that |
| just gets more ugly from there, and yes, this has | | | | suits my specific needs and is within my budget? |
| happened more than once! So right now you're | | | | Do you offer only traditional albums, or do you have |
| probably thinking 'But she didn't hire HIM! Where's her | | | | a wide variety of options to choose from including |
| knight in shining camera equipment???' | | | | any coffee table-style books? |
| Sadly, there are way too many photography | | | | |