CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERWe understand you may have never hired a professional wedding photographer, its not something you do everyday! Hiring a true professional that you can trust and be comfortable with, that will deliver what you need is what it all comes down to.Take time to review our unique advice on choosing a professional wedding photographer to help you make a great decision! |
"YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BUDGET - WAYS TO SAVE Your wedding photography is arguably one of the most important wedding planning decisions you will make as a bride - after all, once the plates are cleared and the flowers die - all you'll have left of your wedding day is the photographs. Bottom line - scrimp on photography, and you'll regret it forever. You should plan to allocate a significant portion of your wedding budget to ensure photographs are perfect. Expect to spend at least $1000 on a professional wedding photographer to document your event. Albums and prints are usually extra. Other extras that may increase your bottom line include additional hours, additional photographers, custom albums etc. etc. Add on too many extras - and your photography budget could quickly creep to $5000 and beyond! Before you panic, remember that just like every other element in your wedding day, there are ways to save on wedding photography without sacrificing on quality. Save on wedding photography with these photography budget tips: Cut the Extras Purchase a basic wedding photography package from a skilled photographer. By paying for the photographer's expertise only, you will ensure great images - and you'll buy yourself some time to save up for the custom album and prints after the wedding. Get the Proofs To that end, try to find a photographer who will let you keep the proofs. Many photographers consider themselves to be photographers only - artists not in the business of selling photographs. After the big day, they'll hand over your proofs and be on their way. They're yours to keep - you can print them in any manner you please or save them for printing after you've saved up some cash. Enter the Digital Age Digital photography is less costly than film, and with technological advances in equipment - digital images are no longer a sacrifice in quality. Many photographers have taken the digital plunge - which results in savings for you! Cut the Timeline The longer your event, the more it will cost to document it. Since photographers often charge based on the number of hours they will spend at your wedding, a shorter/smaller wedding celebration will yield big savings in your photography budget. Do Your Research This sounds like a given, but you will find that a number of photographers in your area offer similar skill levels and packages - yet varying prices. We're not saying to go on price alone, but definitely take your time to shop around and REALLY compare what you are getting. Determine the skill level, photography style and products that suit your needs, and then shop for the wedding photographer who meets your requirements and budget. " - Laura of Portrait Arts Photography, Hudson NH Wedding Photographer 
"Select a professional photographer that you connect with. During your interview if you feel comfortable talking with them and your personalities mesh, hire them. If makes the day that much more enjoyable when you and your photographer have fun...and it will show in your photos. A pre-wedding photo shoot is also a great way to get to know each other."- Dawn of Galleria Studios, Fishers, IN Wedding Photographer 
"When choosing a wedding photographer, the most important thing to consider is personality. You will be spending many hours with your photographer, if you are comfortable with your photographer as a person, your photos will benefit greatly."- Mark of Marks Brides, Birmingham, AL Wedding Photographer 
"The best advice I can give a bride and groom who are planning a wedding with a budget is to spend more money on the things that are most important to them. Photography important to you? The extra $500 you might spend to afford someone who you thought was out of your league could be worth it to you in the long run. Lowest prices don't always produce the best results, and in the case of most professional photographers, you get what you pay for!"- Adam of Adam Czap Photography, Northville, MI Wedding Photographer 
"You're going to be looking at these pictures for the rest of your life, so take your time choosing a photographer! You want to make sure that you not only love their pictures, but that you want to see yourself in them. This is the only part of your wedding you get to keep, so make sure you love it!"- Jason of The Hudsons - Modern Wedding Photography, Fayetteville AR Wedding Photographer 
"When booking a wedding photographer, one of the first things you want to ask yourself is, "What style of photography will best suit my needs?"There are many different types of photographers, with many different styles. You can have the traditional style, which is the most prominent and includes a variety of different poses in different locations to portray the love between you and your partner. Another style that has become popular recently is the photojournalistic style. Capturing all of the details and telling the story of your wedding day in all its intricacies - before, during, and after. This is a great way for you to remember by seeing your day played out from many different perspectives and many different times. The fine art perspective is the ultimate attention to detail when it comes to wedding photography. Many photographers do offer this, however few can follow through on this claim unless they have a background in fine art. Making each photo a work of art is the passion of most photographers, and is also the desire of many brides & grooms. Keep an eye out for these styles, among others, when looking for a wedding photographer. My suggestion would be a combination of all three so you have alot of variety in your photos when it is all said and done. Researching different prices vs. what you get for the price is also a very important question. Experience in the industry IS important, however the quality and number or images presented for you based on the price is very important as well. Ask your photographer for samples of their work, if they offer products such as storybook albums, or even sample prints, so you can see firsthand the quality you can expect. You deserve to see what your final product is going to look like. Probably THE most important question that you need to ask yourself before booking a wedding photographer is, "Do I feel comfortable with this person?" On your wedding day, your photographer will be like your sidekick. His or her job is to focus on you and be as close to the "action" as possible. If you do not feel comfortable around this person, then you probably should not book them because they will be intimately involved in almost every aspect of your wedding day." - Noah of Noah J Orr Photography, Honolulu, HI Wedding Photographer 
"If your budget allows it is a good idea to do a photo session with your selected wedding photographer. You wouldn't buy a car without a test drive...once you find the right person, make sure they measure up!"- Laura of Three Lights Photography, LLC, Middleburg VA Wedding Photographer 
"I always say, that on your wedding day your allowed to be a diva. Just be youself, and most of all. Have a connection with your photographer from the beginning. For me having a good relationship with the couple means rewarding results."- Adel of Adel Photos, Columbia SC Wedding Photographer 
"If you go to a large photo company you may not meet your photographer until your wedding day. It's important to feel comfortable with your photographer since he/she will be with you for several hours before, during, and after your wedding day. Hire the same person who will shoot your wedding.
"- John of Times of Your Life Photography, Lake Worth FL Wedding Photographer 
"Meet with your photographer in person, if possible. Ask lots of questions! Don't be satisfied with a few samples. Ask to see whole wedding proof books."- Stephanie of Stephanie Dubsky Photography, Sarasota FL Wedding Photographer 
"Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, so don't settle for anything but the best. The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the excitement of a great price!"- Sue of Simply Elegant Weddings, Portsmouth NH Wedding Photographer 
"Photography is a give and take relationship between the person being photographed and the photographer. You will feed off each other's enthusiasm and build a solid relationship of trust. Make sure you choose a photographer who you are comfortable with and who makes you feel at ease. The photos will be as wonderful as how you felt at the time!"- Tracy of Tracy Turpen Photography, Swansboro, NC Wedding Photographer 
"What are the advantages of having a solo photographer? The beauty of having only one photographer photograph your amazing day is that he/she knows you… Example, I have spent time getting acquainted with you in person: via e-mail, phone, and through the engagement session, so I have a keen eye to anticipate your emotions that day. Therefore, you’ll be relaxed, worry-free and best of all you’ll be able to act naturally since you’re only dealing with me throughout the process." - Miss Ann of Photos by Miss Ann, Nationwide and Destination Weddings 
"When searching for a wedding photographer, be sure to ask digital photographers about how they plan to archive your wedding photography files and how long they keep this archive of images."- Karrn of Lotus Photographic, Grand Rapids, MI Wedding Photographer 
"Use an experienced, happy photographer who will not waste your day with excessive or "experimental" posing."- Pete of Pete Lounsbury Photography, Wilmington DE Wedding Photographer 
"When looking at a photographers portfolio, if looking for a photojournalistic style, choose a photographer who clearly shows that they can "capture the moment". Usually this means a photographer who has past experiance in the news business capturing the moment and who has fast professional camera equipment. The portfolio should show alot of emotion."- Pat of Pat Crowe Photography, Middletown DE Wedding Photographer 
"Don't be afraid to meet with photographers even if you are not ready to book. A photographers personality should be one of your most important deciding factors. After all, they will be present for one of the greatest days of your life. This can be one of the easiest ways to narrow your search. Meetings not only let you meet the photographer but they also allow you to see albums and other important work up close."- Logan of Logan Jarrard Photographer, Greensboro NC Wedding Photographer 
"When hiring a photographer, make sure you connect with him/her, as you will be spending a good 6-8 hours with them! Get reccommedations from past couples your photographer has worked with."- Sue of The Wedding Photographers, Rye, NH Wedding Photographer 
"have fun. yes you've planned this wedding for what feels like forever but... it is one very short day- so enjoy it & make sure the photographer is someone you'll enjoy being with because they'll be around you the most."- Megan of Megan Resch Photography, Tempe, AZ Wedding Photographer 
"Always make sure that you have a fun and easy going photographer. Some brides don't realize how important it is to have a photographer that is energetic."
- Jason of Dittmer Modern Photography, Neosho MO Wedding Photographer 
"Be sure your photographer has at least 4 years of Professional Wedding experience as a lead photographer!See there work and look for sharp images.Start booking a year in advance to get the best of the best! Also be sure and ask your photographer for advice about your day.If they're experienced, they can be a major resource for other types of vendors such as; flowers, reception sites, etc."- Tana of Tana Hayes Photography, Ventura CA Wedding Photographer " Of all the people and vendors who are helping with your wedding, your photographer is one of the most important people you'll work with. After all is said and done, the food is gone, the music is over, the guests have gone home -- your wedding album and portraits will last you forever. Spending the extra money hiring a professional will take a great deal of worry out of having lasting keepsakes of your wedding day. This is their job -- making sure that their brides are happy with their wedding images.
Also, make sure to budget plenty of time between the ceremony and the reception. Allow at least an hour for formal portraits, both of family, wedding party, and most especially, you and the groom. It takes time to set up equipment and people for the best and most natural expressions. Talk to your photographer about what you really want to see in your wedding album. Your photographer will get some idea of your personality after initially consulting with you, but in the end, it's your wedding album that will last you for years -- make sure that you and the photographer agree on how you want your album to look and feel. There are so many options out there, both in quality and price, so make sure you talk with your photographer about all your options. And most of all, relax and enjoy your very special day. Remember -- when it's all over, no matter what happens, you and your special someone will be married! " - Michele of MW Johnson Photography , Lookout Mountain, TN Wedding Photographer 
"In any event, you're never going to predict what's going to happen during the big day. The majority of the weddings I've shot do not start or end on time. Before signing the contract, make sure the photographer is willing to stay the overtime if needed. Some the best moments happen when the photographer leaves because he/she will not stay the extra hour or so."
- Felix of Felix Chea Photography, Philadelphia PA Wedding Photographer  "Find a photographer that you feel comfortable with and who can bring out your best."- John of OMadden Photography, Concord, CA Wedding Photographer  "If on the wedding day you don't want to be worried about how your photographs are going to look, you need to hire someone who doesn't have to tell you what he does, his projects have to speak for themselves."- Yilmer of Frozen Moments Studio, LLC, Orlando, FL Wedding Photographer  " Of all of the people that you hire to make your day special, your photographer is the one that you will interact with the most before and after your wedding as well as on the wedding day itself. It is important that not only that you connect with your photographer personally and that you find them easy to communicate with, but that he or she understands your vision of that day and can document that vision in a way that you will appreciate for years to come. Finding the right photographer for you should be a careful process and can be viewed as an investment for the future. After the day is over and the cake has been eaten, only your cherished photographs will be what remain. Take your time and ask lots of questions. Your photographer will be happy to address any concerns that you may have."- Virginia of Moment By Moment Photography.com, Senoia GA Wedding Photographer 
"When choosing a photographer, think about what it is that you want to see when you look at your photos 20 years from now. Do you want that picture of when the photographer told you to stand in front of the fountain and look at each other? Or do you want that photo of the look in your eyes, the first time you saw your new partner for life, on the biggest day of your lives. A photojournalistic style is meant to capture those special moments, and a more traditional style is meant to take more formal shots through out the day."
- Gino of Gino Siller Photography, Longmont CO Wedding Photographer 
"When selecting a team of photographers, one of the most critical things to consider is if you genuinely LIKE them. You will spend your entire wedding day with your photographers in close proximity so it is helpful to have people that you can have fun and laugh with to make your wedding day even more enjoyable. A rude or impersonal photographer can really hinder that joy on what is supposed to be the best day of your life!" - Prem of Arising Images, Inc., Sterling Heights MI Wedding Photographer
"When you are interviewing photographers, make sure to find out if the images that are being shown to you were actually made by the photographer that will be shooting your wedding. In some instances, a studio may have multiple photographers, and you may not be getting the same style of work that is being shown to you."
- Jason of Blue Mountain Photo Works, Fountain Inn SC Wedding Photographer  "Find the photographer whose images you find yourself in, whose art moves you on an emotional level. The photographs are the lasting tangible reminder of your wedding day and than can become works of art for your walls and within coffee table albums."- Jennifer of Jennifer Bowen Photography, Scottsdale AZ Wedding Photographer  "Make sure to have a photographer shows you an entire wedding! You could see a showcase of all of the best photos, but how many quality photos can be produced in one wedding?? Also, make sure that the photographer has a pose list outlining all the desired photos. Finally, make sure there is a contract!"- Randy of Randy Lee Photography, Lake Stevens WA Wedding Photographer
"Make sure you really enjoy your photographer. That one person[your photographer] is going to be spending one of the most important days of your life with you. Talent is important. Being a people person is highly important and should be a huge consideration when deciding who is right for you. After all, having fun with your photographer will elicit some of those amazing moments!" - Stacy of The Art Bouquet, Clayton, NC Wedding Photographer 
"Trash the flash!
Obviously a photographer isn't going to trash his trusty flash but have you ever thought a photographer uses that obnoxious thing a little to much?
Your not the only one! A lot of photographers have enough artificial lighting devices to light up a stadium and still carry all of them around. Is it needed? A lot of times yes but it's for sure overly used. Why? In the days of film you had to use a slower film speed to get a crisp clean photo. Slow film speed in a dark church or building is not a good mix, there just isn't enough ambient light to get a fast shutter speed so flashes were used. Now with digital and the technology available a photographer with the right equipment can now use a much higher "film" speed or what is called ISO and still get a clean crisp not overly grainy photo. Why doesn't everybody shoot this way? One reason is it's not what they are used to, it's much easier to just light up the whole area of the shot and get a cleaner shot. The other is that the equipment that let's you shoot with lower ambient (natural) light (the camera, the lenses) is very expensive. What's wrong with flash? At times it's the only way to get a shot but it is called "artificial" light for a reason. It doesn't look natural. There is no depth given with the shadows that natural light can produce, there is a big difference. Are you not looking forward to the pictures being taken during your wedding because those lights driving you crazy? Don't stress about it! More photographers are moving to this style of photography. Look carefully at their work and ask great questions. Your photographer will spend the most amount of time with you then any other vendor at your wedding, don't let them control your day with to many distractions. " - Aaron of Underwood Photography, Reno NV Wedding Photographer 
"Probably one of the biggest dilemmas a bride has to make is who will be her photographer. Sometimes a picture doesn't tell it all. Looking at the website of a photographer is actually in many cases very deceptive. Over a photographer's career they photograph hundreds if not thousands of weddings, and finding 200-300 great shots from those weddings is quite easy even if you were an amateur. Always make sure you look at the proofs of the last three weddings that the photographer has shot. I would also ask for the numbers of the last three brides that the photographer worked with to find out how interruptive the photographer was, was he snooty, did he make the sessions fun and part of the festivities or was it the worst part of the wedding? How a photographer interacts with the guests as well as the bride and groom makes a huge difference in the feel of a wedding, and is as important as catching the right moments. Don't use the proof albums as your only resource when it comes time to making your decision."- Jennifer of Beck and Call Photography, Fredericksburg VA Wedding Photographer 
"Personality. Above all else, make sure you're comfortable with your photographer. This cannot be stressed enough. If you don't enjoy him or her, your experience will probably be a negative one." ...MORE- Cameron of Cameron Rautmann PhotographyHolt MI Wedding Photographer 
"Above and beyond the regular logics of choosing a photographer, make sure to choose one you gel really well with. There will be a HUGE difference in the final images you receive if you connect on the same wavelength. You'll know when you've made that connection!
"- Larry of Larry Perez Photography, Nationwide & Destination Weddings 
"1) Meet with multiple photographers2) Check the quality of the album you'll receive (no thin, cheap pages) 3) View an entire wedding they've photographed (not just highlights) 4) Make sure packages are flexible." - Dale of Benfield Photography, Fayetteville AR Wedding Photographer 
"Brides, look for a photographer that fits your personality. Someone that will not only take the types of pictures you want, but is GOOD at those types of photographs.
"- Steve of Steve Austin Photography, Alabaster AL Wedding Photographer 
"Make sure you feel comfortable and confident in your photographer. They are a huge part of your wedding and will be there for most of the day. Talk to them, meet them if you can, before your big day.
"- Jeanne of Vibe Photography Elkhart IN Wedding Photographer 
"When selecting your photographer, take into consideration a non-traditional approach to photography. The candid moments are the memories that you will cherish forever.
"- Rick of Cowboy UP Photos, New Orleans LA Wedding Photographer 
"Wedding Photojournalist" seems to be a trendy statement these days. When you're interviewing photographers for your occasion and they mention this term, ask to see examples of their magazine, newspaper or wire service work.- Michael Cope of Michael Cope Photography, Chesterfield VA 
"Book early! Profesisonals book 12-18 months in advance!"-Jason of Hudson Photography Arkansas Wedding Photographer 
"Meet your photographer and see if you like their personality. You
will be speding your most special day with this person, make you like
him/her and not just the work."- Kristie of kp studios Birmingham AL Wedding Photographer 
"Consider booking your photographer as soon as you set you wedding
date and location. This will assure you get an excellent photographer
before they are booked."- Michael of Michael J. Bain Photography Tucson AZ Wedding Photographer 
"When booking a wedding make sure a good rapport is established
between you and your photographer. A great rapport means a stress free day
for both you and your photographer and most importantly beautiful images."- Ivan of Images by Ivan Fredericksburg VA Wedding Photographer 
"Look for a photographer with some excitement. Excitement will make great photographs. You want to feel comfortable with you photographer. They are the one professional who will spend the most time with you on one of the most important personal days of your life."J. Bartolome Photography Somersworth, NH Wedding Photographer 
"Be mindful when hiring your photographer, does there price seem to good to be true? Well then it probably is. Are you getting professional quality prints, or are they coming from Cosco, Walgreens or worst yet, an average consumer photo-printer that they have laying around? Is your photographer using high quality refrigerated professional film or average over the counter consumer film? In the case of Digital is your photographer using high end professional camera's with 6 megapixels or higher, professional digital camera's go to 14 megapixels!! Remember, your wedding day is a day that can't be repeated, YOU WILL get what you pay for!"- Kevin Kramer of Advantage Photography, Inc. Nationwide & Destination Wedding Photographer 
"TIP #1 Most photographers will keep YOUR original negatives/digital files and charge you for every reprint you order. The average cost for an 8x10 photo is between $40.00 and $80.00 and 4x6 prints will cost you OVER $5.00 each! This fee is in addition to what you have already paid! Make sure you get the originals, and the rights to print them. You’ve already paid once, you shouldn’t have to keep paying for years to come. TIP #2 The photojournalists approach is to create a story-telling sequence for the couple to remember their day by. It requires the photographer to be versatile in their skills as they adapt for each moment. This allows them to record the day, yet remain as unobtrusive as possible. The photojournalist CAPTURES the image."- Eric Limón of Eric Limón Photography Housatonic, MA Wedding Photographer 
"In addition to great photographs, check to make sure your personality clicks with the photographer's personality. He or she will be following you around for many hours on your wedding day. Make sure you will be comfortable with them at your wedding!"- Jason Hudson of Hudson Photography Arkansas Wedding Photographer 
"A wedding photographer's personality, sense of humor and style are as important as her technical abilities - make certain you are at ease and able to communicate what you want. Sample photos should show brides with a happy light in their eyes and an elegant mood - no matter what the event costs. A really good photographer can make any affair a grand one!"- Terrill Province of Province & Company Photography Edmond OK Wedding Photographer
"Consider booking your photographer as soon as you set you wedding
date and location. This will assure you get an excellent photographer
before they are booked."- Michael of Michael J. Bain Photography Tucson AZ |
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