Work with your photographer to plan
the shots you want taken and then be sure to let members of
your family know in advance whether they are to be included
in any pictures. |
|
At ceremony Mother adjusting grooms tie (closeup) |
After the ceremony Bride and Groom coming out of the Temple |
At the reception Receiving line Overall reception area shots |
|
|
||
Groom with |
Bride with |
Bride, Groom with |
|
|
|
Some Advice
Some brides make the mistake of selecting their wedding
photographer without researching what they're really getting for
their money. I'm quite sure you realize that the best studios or
photographers will be booked up well in advance of your wedding date.
The only way to guarantee your date will be available is for you to
act quickly- but not too quickly- you've got to be sure that this
photographer is THE ONE for you! To be sure, you must research before
you decide.
So, DO YOUR RESEARCH! Visit as many studios as you can. As a
courtesy, please call them first and set up an appointment. If
they're friendly on the phone, they will most likely have better
standards of service. Ask if they have any information that they can
mail you. Meet the photographer. Pick up any information they have to
offer- and study it! The biggest reason people make mistakes in
hiring photographers is because they do not get married on a daily
basis. They've never had to hire photographers, and most likely their
last experience with a professional photographer was in high school,
and it probably wasn't a very good experience. Don't make a mistake-
with a wedding you only have one shot at getting it right.
Hire the Photographer, NOT the
Studio Are you talking to the
photographer that will actually photograph the
wedding? Does the photographer work with
an assistant? Who actually takes the
photographs? After the wedding, will we be
dealing with a salesperson or do I continue to work with the
photographer until our work is completed? The Gurantee Wedding photography is a very
high-risk business. You have only one chance to get it
right. Are the photographs
guaranteed? What does the studio use for
backup equipment in case of failure? Is the photographer insured? Important Qualities To Look
For: When you first call a
photographer, do they return your call promptly or do you
have to wait? Is the studio neat or cluttered?
Is the photographer dressed nicely? Do the wedding samples,
especially albums, look the same as every other studio or
are they unique in style and content? Is the presentation by the
photographer easy to understand and caring or do they have
the attitude of, "take it or leave it?"
Do not talk to a salesperson or assistant. They will have
nothing to do with your wedding day. Speak only to the
photographer doing your wedding. You may be talking to "a"
photographer but not THE photographer for your special day.
Even the samples of work you are looking at, may not be the
photographer's work that will be doing your wedding. Be
careful. Talking to anyone who will not be your photographer
at your wedding is a waste of your valuable time.
For Example:
If you hire a studio called "Wonderful Wedding Photography
by Joe Smith", and you absolutely loved Joe Smith's photos
when you went in to see his work, then you must make darn
sure that Joe Smith is showing up to cover your wedding! A
large number of studios have an army of 5-10 photographers
who they sub-contract the wedding out to. Which one will
cover your event? You may not know until they show up on the
wedding day. You must be certain, in advance, that you know
who will do the actual work, and that you like THEIR
work!
Very often, a studio will send assistants to cover a
wedding. Unfortunately at the sales meeting, you are led to
believe you are hiring a qualified photographer. I have seen
many Brides get upset on their wedding day on this issue
alone. It is very dishonest.
If a photographer does not continue the whole process with
you from start to finish, you are in trouble before you
begin. Remember that the job of a salesperson is to sell. A
salesperson has no direct interest in your wedding.
A photographer (or anyone for that matter) that stands
behind their product can be respected. They believe so much
in their product, it's guarenteed. We have a
"Better-Than-Money-Back" Guarantee
If, for any reason
you are unhappy with your photographs, we will refund all
fees paid plus $100. No questions asked and no hard feelings
either.
Qualified wedding photographers have at least one other
duplicate set of the same high quality equipment.
They should be insured for at least one million
dollars of liability on the job. This is required in most
catering establishments that I have worked in and should be
a very important part of the total package when deciding on
your photographer.
This is a good first indicator of how important you are to
them. If they do not return your call promptly, keep
searching because they are too busy for you. Find someone
who cares more about YOUR needs and desires than they do
about their own packages and policies. Someone who will help
you plan everything, so your event will run smoothly and
efficiently, so you will get all the photographs you were
hoping for.
Also a clear indication of whether the photographer is
organized or not and wants to make a good impression or not.
Look carefully at the person and decide
Is this someone
you want at your wedding? Are they wearing today's lunch on
their clothes? At the consultation, speak directly to the
photographer- not the studio manager or sales rep. The
photographer's personality and demeanor could make or break
your decision.
An album should be unique to the Bride and Grooms
personality. Creative use of different sizes of photographs
and matting makes an album more distinctive and a classic
heirloom. Our albums our "one of a kind" heirlooms.
Your heart will tell you on this one. If you feel confused
or unsure now
you will be more confused later.
No Limit On Time - No Limit On Film |
|
How many photographs does the
photographer take and how long are they with you for the
day? |
Does the photographer charge
extra for different locations? Does the studio make it easy to
afford what you truly want? |
Should you get a "photography
package" or not? |
|
Experience How much experience should a
photographer have? Does the photographer work at
their craft as a full time or part time job? With what professional
affiliations does the studio belong? When was the last educational
seminar the photographer attended, pertaining to
photography? What type of camera does the
photographer use for the entire wedding? Does the photographer use
multiple lighting? How many weddings does the
studio photograph per year?
A minimum of 15 years full time experience. If it is less
than 15 years look at the work very carefully. Blurry
photographs might be evident in the samples. The best way to
tell is if you can see the detail and color of the "eyes" in
the photographs, which means quality. Remember it happens
only once. Do not take chances on this one. The more
experience the better. Do not be afraid to ask! 15 years or
more is a seasoned professional.
A person who does weddings as a part time job to make extra
money is not in your best interest. Steer clear please!
Photographers must be dedicated to one job
not two.
Is the photographer
licensed?
Anybody can say they are a photographer. However, they must
have a license to do business in the county they are
registered in.
The two major national guilds are the PPofA (Professional
Photographers of America) or W.W.P.I (Wedding Portrait
Photographers International)
Photographers who do not continually educate themselves run
the risk of "knowing it all" and that is a tragedy.
Photographers should have a minimum of one major seminar a
year under a top leader in the industry.
Some photographers use what is known as "Medium
Format"cameras and others use 35-mm cameras or both. All the
samples in our studio are exclusively "Medium Format" which
is a negative size 3 1Ú2 times larger than 35-mm
cameras. Medium format will always give you the finest
quality
period! If a photographer says otherwise, you
are taking a certain risk in the final quality of your
photographs. In my opinion, 35 mm is not the ideal camera
for any part of the wedding.
Multiple or Creative lighting is just as important as film
in the camera. One flash on the camera just will not do it.
Do not underestimate this one. It is too important. While
looking at samples of work
if a photograph does not
look right for example, shadows in the wrong places on
faces, do not walk, run out of the studio. If they are
showing their best work, you are in trouble.
This question will reveal the workload of a certain studio.
There are two types of studios. Low volume and High volume.
Expect much better service from a low volume studio. If a
studio boosts about doing over 50 weddings per year it is
not necessarily a good thing. The more a studio does, as far
as volume, the quality will certainly suffer. They cannot be
all things to all people and will not have the time or the
workforce to deal with all issues. It is simply the law of
averages. I know this may not be the best example but the
next time you wait on a long line for something, like
McDonald's, you are dealing with people whose bottom line is
volume. They need to get to the next customer, or should I
say consumer, as quickly as possible. When you get your
hamburger the wrapping, may look ok, but how does the inside
look? Personal service is the only way to do business.
Ah, the Details Who controls the flow of the
wedding day? How does the photographer dress
for the Wedding? How long do you have to wait for
the completion of the Wedding album?
A good photographer will assist, not control, in the
planning of the day so that everyone enjoys themselves
"stress free." Please give them a list of photographs you
would like taken. This makes the 'smile' time go quicker and
easier. Also, have the photographer take photos all
night.
Tuxedos are necessary unless otherwise directed by the
Bride. I have seen photographers in bluejeans at a formal
wedding. I wish I were kidding- but I'm dead serious.
On this one, I can only speak for myself because I believe
the Wedding album should be delivered while the party
atmosphere is still on everyone's minds. I deliver in 6-8
weeks once the final order is chosen. Nothing over this
period is acceptable to me.