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Wedding Photographers: Expert's Secrets For Hiring a GOOD Wedding Photographer |
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Choosing a
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Where to Begin? Many couples approach the selection of their wedding photographer almost as an after-thought. They tend to get so caught up with all the really fun wedding details their guests will see - like the cake, the wedding decor, the gown, etc. - and they often don't consider, until its too late, that selecting the right wedding photographer is just as important. Why? The photographer you choose to capture the moments of your wedding on film will play a very significant role in what is likely to be the single most important day of your life. Consider this: Long after the band stops playing, the guests have gone home, the flowers have wilted, all that will remain are memories and photographs. With this in mind you'll want to take put some care into selecting a wedding photographer. Many couples underestimate the importance of carefully selecting a good photographer, randomly picking a name from the telephone book, believing that one wedding photographer is as good as the next. Later, when the day they have waited a lifetime for has come and gone, and the pictures are developed, sometimes disappointment begins to set in. Follow these simple guidelines when selecting a wedding photographer and you might just save yourself from some unexpected heartbreak.
It is advisable to begin shopping for a wedding photographer as soon as you become engaged. Take the time to visit several different photographers in their studios and examine wedding pictures they have taken in the past. Ensure that you are specifically shown samples of their wedding photography. Looking at pictures of babies, pets, or sunsets won't give you any indication of the photographer's ability to take good wedding pictures!
This isn't to say that its never okay to hire a less experienced wedding photographer. Afterall, there wouldn't be experienced wedding photographers if no one had been willing to give them a chance back when they were still rookies, would there? If you are on a very tight budget, for example, hiring a less experienced photographer should cost you considerably less than a very experienced one, so this may indeed be your best option (better than no photos at all, right?). But the bottom line is that it's very important to know what their experience level is so that you know what you are getting into and can make a well informed decision based on what is important to you. If it's important to you that the photos turn out absolutely perfect, go for someone very experienced. If saving money is of primary importance, perhaps experience will matter less to you. As a general rule though, the best advice is that photography is one area where you shouldn't intentionally skimp. Remember, 20 years from now, those photos will be all you have to connect you back to this one amazing moment in time - your wedding day.
If you are dealing with a studio which employs a number of different wedding photographers, you'll want to be sure you are viewing the samples of the actual photographer who will be assigned to your wedding - so be sure to ask whether that is the case! It might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised by how often studios will show prospective customers the work of photographers who will have nothing to do with their wedding. That won't tell you much, now will it? You'll also want to request a meeting with the actual photographer who will photograph your wedding. Remember, this is a highly personal occasion and you will be working very closely with the person taking your photograph. He will be following you around for the entire day, so it's terribly important that you have a chance to meet in advance to ensure that you are compatible and that there is no likelihood of a personality clash. This needs to be someone you find likeable. You don't want to be flanked by someone you find irritating, annoying, or offensive all day long on your wedding day.
You will also want to make sure you understand how re-orders of photos will be handled. Will the photographer keep the negatives, as many do, or will he turn the negatives over to you as part of the package? Traditionally, photographers have always kept the negatives, meaning that any additional photos you may require in the future would have to be acquired through the photographer. Today, however, it is not entirely uncommon for some professional photographers to turn over the negatives with the customer's purchase of the first set of prints. Be sure that you are clear on whether or not you will be given the negatives. This is important so that you know precisely what your package price includes and will therefore be able to accurately compare the cost of one photographer to another.
Finalizing the Arrangements You should strive to book your wedding photographer as soon as your wedding date has been firmly set. Good wedding photographers are often booked as much as one year in advance, so don't put this off. If left for later, you may become so entrenched in tending to all the various details of your wedding that you are unable to set aside the time required for booking a photographer as the date draws nearer. When you eventually do get around to it, you might be very disappointed to discover that all the good ones are gone. This is one of the wedding details which deserves to be given top priority. Part of finalizing the arrangement includes putting down a deposit and signing a contract. Never rely on a verbal arrangement or agreement, and don't ask the photographer to simply 'hold' the date for the time being. Without a signed contract and a paid deposit, that 'hold' is as good as nothing at all. A contract and paid deposit are the only security you have that the photographer is indeed reserved for you, and is legally obligated to follow through with your agreement.
Your photographer will likely require a deposit to hold your wedding date. Never agree to pay the entire fee for your wedding photography package up front. The balance of the fee should only be paid after the wedding, once you have seen and received your proofs. Price ranges for photographers vary dramatically. In hiring a photographer, you are paying for his or her experience, style, reputation, as well as overhead costs. Select a photographer who is within your budget and whose quality and style of photography is consistent with your tastes. Don't despair if your budget is limited, just keep looking. While some photographers who work out of studios may charge enormous fees for their services, plenty of good freelance photographers are available for significantly less. Sometimes the price difference merely accounts for the fact that many freelance photographers are "home-based", meaning that they don't have the same overhead costs and operational expenses as large studio photographers, and can therefore price themselves more affordably. Just remember to shop carefully. Check your newspaper and telephone directory for listings of photographers, and ask people you know if they can recommend a good one. Once you've found a photographer who suits your budget, evaluate their work carefully and ask for three references of former clients. Before finalizing any arrangements, be sure to check those references!
When booking your photographer, always make sure to get everything in writing. A written agreement or contract with your photographer, itemizing all of the important details, will protect you and help prevent the potential for misunderstandings. It should be signed and dated in duplicate by both you and the photographer, and you should each retain a copy. It should list all fees, taxes, and extra charges, as well as what the photographer is to provide (number of hours of coverage, number of proofs, number of photos in the package, sizes of photos, etc.) The agreement should explain when deposits and balances are due. It should also clearly list the date of the wedding, and the location or locations the photographer will be required at, and the times at which he or she is to be there.
When it comes to actually shooting your wedding, it is a good idea to have as many photos as possible taken before the ceremony when every one is fresh, before the flowers start to wilt, and the dresses and tuxes begin to show wrinkles - and, of course, while faces and makeup are still perfect and no one has puffy eyes from crying! If you do not wish to see your fiancé before the actual ceremony, save any pictures where the two of you will appear together for after the ceremony.
If you will be having photos taken outside on a sunny day, make sure your photographer is skilled in techniques to minimize squinting problems. Examine a large number of photos he or she has taken outdoors to ensure that there is not a predominant problem with eye squinting among the subjects in the photographs. To be safe, use a combined approach of pictures taken both indoors and outdoors.
The length of time it takes to get your photos back may vary from one photographer to another. Some photographers will provide you with proofs within a few days of the wedding, while others can take up to several months. Make sure you find out what to expect when choosing your photographer. Once you have received the proofs it is typical to allow five days developing time for every large photo you've ordered. Final Word Once you've done your homework and invested the proper care and attention into selecting the right photographer to capture your big day, the only thing you'll have left to do is look up, watch the birdie, flash those pearly whites and say "Cheese!".
Find weddings photographers in the SuperWeddings Directory.
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