How to choose a wedding photographer

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Let me start by saying your wedding day is one of the biggest events in your life! I truly believe everyone couple deserves beautiful photographs of their big day. 

 

So why do photographers packages and prices differ so much? Prices can start from as little as $500 right up to $25,000!

 

Who can put a price on your memories from the biggest day of your lives?....... Only you can.

Couples who value photography as an investment will put aside a larger percentage of their wedding budget to it.

 

What you have to ask yourself is, once the evening is over and you wake up the following morning, what’s left of your memories?

 

All the things that make your big day will fade away as quickly as the flowers will. Then all that remains are your photographs and rings as a reminder of your wedding. This is why it is so important that the photographer you choose can capture your moments of your day the way you want them recorded.

 

In a market that is over populated by hundreds and thousands of photographers how to you begin to choose the right photographer for your wedding day.  

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There are three or so called groups that make up the industry.

1. Part time hobbyist and Amateur photographers & Colleague students

2. New business start ups

3. Full time professionals

 

How do you recognize the different types of photographers?  (Hint: You can check out https://www.ppa.com/findaphotographer/ for a list of professional photographers!)

 

I have put together some questions to help you decided which type of photographer and risk you’re willing to make. For instance a colleague student would be grateful for a portfolio and to be the main photographer on a wedding day. They will not have top of the range equipment, insurance, let alone back up equipment with their experience being very little. However your get a great deal on the price. But what if something does go wrong?  You have to be willing to risk this in order to make big savings on the cost.

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1.-Always ask to meet the photographer that will actually attend on your wedding day.

 

You can have a photographer around from as much as sixteen hours, which is a long time to spend with someone you haven’t met before.

Personality it everything and you need to click with your photographer and know they will fit in with friends and family on your wedding day.

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2- Ask to see their work, from several full weddings and not just a sample album. Make sure you see an example of a recent wedding and see all the photographs taken on the day.

 

Look out for the key photographs from parts of the day. Has the photographer ever shot a full wedding before, or have the only second shot weddings?  I remember seeing a second shooter exhibiting at a very big wedding show, however he hadn’t ever shot a wedding as a main shooter yet he booked over 15 weddings that day!. Scary indeed if the bride and groom aren’t aware of this! Are the photos of the couple all looking away and none of them to the camera, again this is typical signs of a second shooter and not a main photographer.

 

3- Are they insured?

 

You want to know the photographer is insured not only for them but for all staff that will be working with them on your wedding day. Several venues will also ask for the photographers insurance so feel free to ask for copies of these documents. Professional  and public liability are a good start.

 

4- Do they own back up equipment?

 

You want to know the photographer’s back up equipment is the same as their main equipment. Having an old hobby camera that will never cut it in a wedding situation doesn’t count as a backup. 

 

5- What happens if the day runs late?

 

Photographers cover this very differently so do ask the question. Every single wedding I have ever photographed has always run late so something to think about.

 

6- What happens if the photographer is sick and cannot attend your day?

Most photographers will have a contract with terms and conditions. Liability is usually limited to full amount of your photography package. That’s all great but when you’re a bride getting ready on her big day you need a photographer having the cash doesn’t quiet help! Full time professionals will have options for this question.

 

7- Does the photographer charge you extra for album design?

 

Albums are such a wonderful way to showcase and preserve your wedding day.  Ask questions about prices for extra photos in your album, are they charged per photo or per page. Are there any charges for making changes to your album design etc?

 

8- How do you view your photos?

Does the photographer provide you with a proof book to keep or is the only option to view them on a website with the copyright across the image making it very difficult to view the expressions in your photos.

 

9- How many times do we meet before the wedding day?

 

This differs hugely across the different types of photographers. Some will want to meet you several times before the big day while others will just see you on the actual day of the wedding. Do they offer to cover a venue visit so they are familiar with your wedding venue?

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10- Does the photographer offer a pre shoot?

I would recommend a pre wedding shoot to all our couples. This is a great time to really get to know your photographer on a one to one basis. We use this time for helpful posing tips and making our couples feel more relaxed in front of the camera before the big day.

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