7/28/2019 Choosing a Wedding Photographer
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Title:Choosing a Wedding Photographer
Word Count:1144
Summary:Many couples get so caught up with planning all the
obvious details of their wedding--such as the cake, the wedding
decorations, the gown and gifts for membersof the wedding
party--that they often overlook the importance of selecting the
right wedding photographer.
Keywords:Wedding Favors, Bridal Shower Favors, Wedding Party
Favors
Article Body:Many couples get so caught up with planning all the
obvious details of their wedding--such as the cake, the wedding
decorations, the gown and gifts for membersof the wedding
party--that they often overlook the importance of selecting the
right wedding photographer. Its important to remember that the
photographer you choose will be responsible for capturing the
moments and memories of what may be the most important day of your
life! With this in mind, you'll want to take great
care in selecting a wedding photographer considering there are
no second chances.
As you might imagine, wedding photography is one of the most
challenging types of professional photography. The wedding
photographer has to make everyone look beautiful, shooting in a
multitude of locations in all kinds of weather conditions--and
accomplish all this in minimum amount of time. At the same time,
your wedding photographer should have the personality to complement
you on your most joyous day. Take your time and follow some of the
simple suggestions discussed below, and you will most certainly be
satisfied with the outcome.
Where Do You Begin?
Personal referrals or asking friends, relatives and co-workers
for suggestions,is a great place to start. Typically, people who
have had positive experiences with photographers are more than
willing to share that information. In addition,youll already have
some insight about the photographers personality before you
actually meet. After compiling a preliminary list, visit each
photographers web site and thoughtfully review his or her online
portfolio. If a portfolio looks appealing you, chances are, that
photographer might be a good fit. Next, call or email each
photographer on your list. Through this initial contact, you can
determine the photographers availability, the type of work they
specialize in (candidor traditional) as well as an estimate of the
cost and what youll receive for that fee.
Schedule appointments with the photographers who seem most
appropriate and ask t
o view their portfolios in person and discuss more details. Ask
each of them toshow you a complete portfolio of a single
wedding--this will give you a much clearer sense of what you can
expect than a collection of choice shots from severaldifferent
events. Pay attention to whether the photographer is adept at
portraying individual expressions and personalities. Ideally, these
meetings should include the bride and groom as well as the bride's
parents since you will all be interacting with the
photographer.
What Questions Should You Ask?
7/28/2019 Choosing a Wedding Photographer
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Be sure to write down all of your questions beforehand, and take
thorough notesduring the meetings. Although most professional
photographers will provide you with a clear outline of their
services and fees prior to your meeting, you will,in all
likelihood, still have a large number of questions to ask.
Remember, themore information you have, the more confident and
relaxed youll feel on your special day. The following are some
questions, courtesy of http://www.iqphoto.com,you may wish to
consider asking:
How will you show me pictures for selection (e.g., electronic,
proofs, contact sheets, online gallery, etc.)?Will you help me
choose the final pictures?How will you make it easy for friends and
family to order reprints?What are the costs of the various levels
of coverage?Are there different degrees of coverage?What is your
photography style; photojournalistic, traditional, mixed, etc.?How
much for the duplicate prints, albums, folios, enlargements, thank
you cards,etc.?Whats your time frame for preparing the pictures for
my selection?How about engagement session?How long do I have to
make up my mind as to which pictures I want and how many?How long
have you been in business?What kind of guarantee comes with my
hiring you?Whats your philosophy for photographing weddings?Will
you have an assistant?
Do you have travel fees?How much is your overtime fee?What do
you plan to do at my wedding to make my wedding photographs unique
and personal to me?Do you have a backup?Will you be shooting my
pictures personally?Will you use film or digital?What's your
payment policy?Do you give any guarantees on your services and
photographs?What is the possibility of the pictures fading?
How Much Will It Cost?
The following are some points, courtesy of
http://www.elegala.com, that will help prepare you for what you
might expect to pay for your wedding photography:
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 extrasthat 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!
Cut the extras and purchase a basic wedding photography package
from a skilled photographer. By paying for the photographers
expertise only, you will ensure greatimages and youll buy yourself
some time to save up for the custom album and prin
ts after the wedding.
Get the proofs! To that end, try to find a photographer who will
let you keep theproofs. Many photographers consider themselves to
be photographers only - artists not in the business of selling
photographs. After the big day, theyll hand over your proofs and be
on their way. Theyre yours to keep you can print them in anymanner
you please or save them for printing after youve saved up some
cash.
Enter the digital age with digital photography. Its less costly
than film, and with technological advances in equipment digital
images are no longer a sacrifice i
