Choosing a Wedding Photographer
Being in the business of photography, specifically wedding photography, we have seen and heard just about everything. As photographers, we naturally assumed that everyone would prioritize wedding photography in their budget. This is not always the case.
It is completely understandable that those of us without unlimited budgets must consider every wedding expenditure carefully. It is important to weigh the necessity and importance of each element that will make up your wedding experience. We have worked with hundreds of couples and the feedback they have provided is that they never regretted placing photography as a priority. When you think about it, there are very few purchases in life which you will treasure forever, but photographs are one of those things. Think about what you’d grab if your house were on fire or what you’d make sure to pack if evacuating for a hurricane. Second to family/pets, most people say photographs. Thanks to digital media and off-site computer back up services photographs are not as “irreplaceable” as they used to be, but asking that question illustrates how important captured memories are to us.
“Consider this: Long after the band stops playing, the guests have gone home, the flowers have wilted, all that will remain are memories and photographs.”. ~Linda Kevich, Editor SuperWeddings.com
We certainly would not suggest skimping on items about which you’ve always dreamed. If having imported Phalaenopsis orchids is a deal breaker for you, far be it from us to tell you otherwise. If you cannot live without having Sylvia Weinstock bake your cake personally and ship it to you, by all means let her. However, flowers and cake will be enjoyed by you and your guests that day; your photographs will be enjoyed by you and your family for generations. I have a photograph of my grandparents on their wedding day on my desk. I keep it there to inspire me during long days of editing. It reminds me that my job is not just snapping photos, it is preserving memories for a lifetime. It gives me great joy to think that one of the images I’ve captured could be treasured not only by my clients, but perhaps their grandchildren one day.
“Photography is the cornerstone of your wedding's memories. The right picture instantly takes you back to the happiest day of your life. Capturing your nuptials the way you envision starts with choosing a wedding photographer who is professional and experienced. “ ~WeddingPaperDivas.com
With that said, there are several things to consider when choosing your photographer. First, your budget. We recommend selecting a range of prices with which you’d be comfortable. Photography fees vary greatly depending on geographical location, services and product.
“Photographer fees start at about $1,000; generally speaking, about 10 percent of the wedding budget should be allocated to photography.” ~MarthaStewartWeddings.com.
Once you’ve got an idea of your budget there are several other things to consider. What style of photography do you want? In our opinion, wedding photography needs to do more than just document who was there and what happened. It must capture the emotion of the day. It should be dynamic, captivating and take you right back to the joy of your wedding day.
Other things to consider are the photographer’s experience (specifically with weddings) and equipment. Photographing a wedding is demanding. Not all photographers have the skill level/personality required for wedding photography, just as not all photographers possess the ability to scale mountains for extreme sports photography. You’ll want to know that your photographer is comfortable and experienced at shooting weddings.
Also, will your photographer bring an assistant? Having a “second shooter” can be invaluable and is largely standard practice…but not always. Even if you do not have the first clue about good photography equipment, you’ll need to ask what type of equipment your photographer uses. Not so much the brand (we’re Canon devotees, but supposedly Nikon is just as good, lol), but is it professional grade? Will your photographer be shooting film, digital or both?
Finally, you’ll want to make sure you know what you are getting. Much disappointment can be avoided if expectations are clearly outlined from the beginning. You definitely want a contract that specifies when/for how long your photographer will be shooting, the products you’ll be getting, expected delivery time for those products, and any deposits/fees.
These are just a few suggestions. There is a wealth of information online. The bottom line is this: do your homework. In the end you want a photographer who has the personality and skill to deliver images of which you will be proud. Our goal is to get to know our clients and what they want so that on the wedding day we blend seamlessly into the event. We want you and your guests to be comfortable around us (it makes for better photos) and we want to get all the shots you want without interrupting your day.
We hope this information proves helpful. Whether you choose us or a different studio, here’s hoping you get the wedding experience you want with beautiful photographs to remember it by. If you have questions or would like to comment, we’d love to hear from you on the blog or via email!
Danielle & Bryant
