How to hire a wedding photographer
Should I hire a Professional Wedding Photographer?
When budgeting for your wedding and trying to see where you can best save money, it may not be a good idea to skimp on a professional wedding photographer. Most of us have a friends or relatives who say they know how to work an expensive camera, but is this someone you really want to trust with capturing, processing and delivering your special memories?
In perfect light, current digital cameras are capable of taking pictures that are similar to professional photography. However, when the lighting becomes complex, things change. Most weddings have complex lighting; where the difference between church lighting and background streaming sunlight, or the bridal gown and tuxedos can approach 1,000 times! Even the finest digital cameras can’t handle these conditions without expert skill. Are you sure that your photographer friend or family member knows about proper exposure, or finding that perfect shot? What happens if the photos come back from processing and they’re flat or blurred? Can he get all of your relatives to smile? Will she be able to catch candid moments like a pro AND not be obtrusive? Think long and hard about hiring someone you know to take your wedding pictures. As with any professional service, you get what you pay for. This doesn’t mean you should look for the most expensive photographer you can find, but if it’s free photography you’re looking for, keep in mind what you paid.
Personal References or Portfolio Review?
Finding a professional wedding photographer to trust isn’t easy. One way to do this is to ask other married couples for recommendations. However, different couples have different tastes. Ultimately it comes down the reviewing the photographer’s portfolio and your impression after view the photos. Do the photos make you smile and get even more excited or nervous about your wedding? If they do, you might be on to the right photographic style and even the right wedding photographer.
Wedding Photography Packages and Pricing
Most wedding photographers have a choice of packages to order. Packages are the amount of photos, style of album, and possible extras that you can purchase at a specific price. For example, one package might include a large photo album for the bride and groom, parent albums (smaller versions of yours), some enlargements to frame or gift of various sizes. Find the package you like best and note its price. You want to see how much similar packages cost for each photographer on your list. In addition, you want to negotiate the costs of the proofs (the pictures that the photographer will ask you to chose from as soon as the photographs are developed) and negatives. If not, you’ll be indebted to this photographer every time you need a copy of a wedding photo.
Style and Talent
Of course, It’s not enough that a professional wedding photographer is simply affordable and professional. You’ll also want someone who takes pictures that go beyond simply “covering” your wedding. A good photographer can spot a candid opportunity and catch it, as well as know how to pose everyone involved in a formal shot so that the subjects don’t appear stiff or staged. An exceptional photographer captures the essence and passion of each moment. This skill is hard to find and worth the cost. It's not simply about the technical qualities of the image, important as those are... it's about the translation of your experience into the image, so that it later triggers your memory of that moment.
Meeting the Photographer
The person (or even better, the team) who is taking the wedding photos will be spending the whole day with you and your families. Ask to meet the photographer! If it's a team, find out who will be shooting your wedding and review their separate portfolios, if possible. You need to be able to feel instinctively that you can trust these folks, and be at ease around them.
The Contract
Always read the contract.
If you have found a photographer you like, you’ll have to sign a contract. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can take the contract home to read before it’s signed and don’t allow yourself to be pressured into signing something that doesn’t sit right with you. If the photographer isn’t willing to negotiate, move on.
You’ll also need to put down a deposit. If you are not required to do so, this is not a positive sign This is so the photographer can reserve the day for you. If you should back out at the last minute, he won’t have lost money for the day.
Clearly, hiring a professional wedding photographer isn’t something to be taken lightly. Take your time and do the research. Ask for references and look at samples. Trust yourself. You don’t want to trust your special memories with just anyone.
What you should know
Consideration #1: Decide what type of wedding photography you would like. Formal, journalistic, a combination? Is your wedding venue mostly outside? Do you like nature settings are or a more formal environment? Thinking about the things ahead of time will help you focus in on a selecting photographer that creates images that will move you.
Consideration #2: Find a photographer. Word of mouth referral, especially in the communications community, is a great way to start to find a competent, photography vendor. But don’t stop there. Is the photographer a member of local professional and/or national professional societies that do not allow just any photographer, such as Northern California Professional Photographer’s Association?
Consideration #3: Make sure you discuss the following: How much digital enhancement of your wedding pictures do you want? Some professional photographers can do amazing “cosmetic surgery.” It is very subjective as to whether a couple would like this service or not. Have the photographer give you examples of what they consider a tasteful enhancements.
Consideration #4: When obtaining a quote provide a list that is as specific as possible delineating “must have” shots that are out of the ordinary. Will you require an engagement shoot? Will some of the shots be off site? Are there any time constraints that need to be communicated? How soon will you receive photo proof of the finished images? Does the vendor have the bandwidth to take on your wedding and fulfill it within your expectations?
Consideration #5: A site visit. If possible (especially with premium photography packages), have the photographer do a site visit prior to the shoot. You will gain immensely in quality of the images, execution, and potentially more set - ups, by utilizing the walk-through as a dress rehearsal for the real shoot.
Consideration #6: Digital negative ownership. Do you want to manipulate the images yourself? Do you want to have the images so that you can print them as you wish. This is a critical issue to discuss up front – decide in advance what you think you might require in the way of usage and consider asking for the digital negatives in your quote request. Expect to pay an additional line item for this privilege. Any photographer that provides digital negatives without an extra cost is probably not as experienced as they lead you to believe.
Consideration #7: Ask potential photographers what sort of precautions for equipment failure they observe. Backup cameras, memory cards are all standard for professional photographers. If there isn’t a clear answer to this question, move on!
Consideration #8: Lighting. What is the photographer’s approach to lighting. If you want natural light photos make sure the photographer will shoot with flash and without. That’s one where a team helps dramatically. Many shots can only be properly accomplished with good flash technique, but with team, you do not have to choose between flash photos and natural light!
Consideration #9: Don't base your decision solely on the estimate. Use phone interviews with the vendors and ask specific questions about how they work. Does the photographer have good people skills? Are they punctual? Does the whole team know each-other well enough to act as a cohesive team? Do they have enough experience to solve problems on the photo shoot?
Consideration #10: Oh yeah, one more thing. The ultimate question - aside from the vendor’s expertise, will this person work well with me, keep on schedule and deliver the images when I need them, keeping me informed via email and phone. If the answer is yes, sign off on the agreement and expect the best! Good luck.
