Things to consider when booking a Wedding Photographer
Things to consider when booking a Wedding Photographer
Getting engaged and planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times in your life. Searching for the perfect dress or flowers are undoubtedly important parts of the planning but are also considered the most enjoyable and sometimes among the easiest things to choose. You can see what you are getting and imagine how its all going to come together perfectly on the big day. But what about some of the other parts of the planning process which aren't deemed to be so easy. One of the hardest things to choose is your wedding photographer. The person you choose will actually be at your wedding all day unlike your stationer or florist, you don't know what your photographs will look like ahead of the wedding and it's a big investment. But it doesn't have to be a huge and unpleasant dilemma if you follow some simple guidelines. After all, your photographs have to last beyond the wedding day and for many years to come so don't take any shortcuts or chances now. You can't go back and stage your wedding all over again if your photographer doesn't give you the pictures you hoped for.
Start your search early, especially if you are getting married on a Saturday between May and October. The best photographers are booked up months, sometimes years in advance. To avoid disappointment because of unavailability, start looking as soon as you have set your date.
Ask your venue to recommend a photographer that they know and trust. Some hotels and venues use real wedding imagery on their website so if you see something you like, as them who took the shot. Your venue may also have an album given to them by a photographer and this a great way to gauge whether you like their work or not.
Utilise the Internet. It's a great place to search for photographers in your area or in the area near your venue. Bear in mind that most photographers will travel all over the country and beyond to work so distance shouldn't stand between you and your ideal photographer. Most wedding magazines are also online and usually have a supplier search so you don't need to spend a lot of money buying the huge glossy magazines.
Critique the websites carefully. A good and professional photographer will have a really great site using their own images from real weddings to demonstrate their skill and experience. Do the pictures look real or are they model shots? Are their plenty of different brides and grooms on the website? Do the pictures on the website appeal to you? Can you imagine yourself being photographed in this way? There is no point in booking a photographer who might want to drape you across the bonnet of a car if you wouldn't feel comfortable doing so. Look for believable testimonials from previous clients. A good website is a reflection of a good photographer.
Ask friends, colleagues and friends of friends for recommendations. They will be able to tell you what the photographer was like to work with in the run up to the wedding and on the big day. You might be able to view their wedding pictures online or even see an album. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to secure a really great service.
Make a shortlist of your favourite photographers and contact them all for their availability by email or telephone. How quickly they respond and the nature of their response can also tell you a lot about their professionalism.
Once you have checked their availability ask for details of pricing. Most clients have no idea about the cost of wedding photography so don't rule any of your shortlist out purely on price before you have had a chance to meet or speak to them as you may be entitled to a special price or be able to talk about your budget and own expectations of pricing.
Find out if you can meet with photographers before booking them or even Skype or telephone them if they don't live or work locally to you. It's important that you are able to ask lots of questions before handing over any money.
Make sure they are a full time professional photographer and not just working weekends to earn a few hundred pounds extra. Full time photographers devote all of their time to their business and it makes all the difference. A photographer who treats it like a hobby cannot achieve the experience and expertise required in the wedding industry today. Make sure they are insured properly and you see a copy of their terms and conditions. Many part timers will not have either leaving you in a vulnerable position if circumstances change.
Ask to see a couple of complete weddings, either online or in an album. A website is a wonderful thing but only the best shots will be shown. It's important to see all the pictures in between.
Ask what style of photographer they are. There are many different styles available today ranging from pure documentary style with no posed shots at all to Avant Garde photography where most shots will be dramatic, posed and unusual. Most clients opt for something more classic with elements of natural photography but also a handful of more formal family shots for the record.
Choose a photographer you really like, feel comfortable with and can imagine being with you all day. I'm with the bride longer than anyone else on the wedding day and see her at her most vulnerable moments. She has to feel absolutely 100% at ease in my company.
Make sure your chosen photographer can work in any situation. Some venues have tricky lighting or nowhere to go if it rains but your photographer should be skilled enough to adapt to any situation and make great use of any space no matter how difficult but don't rule out any photographer because he or she doesn't know your venue.
Ask if a pre-wedding practise session is available. Some photographers offer this as part of their service and some may charge for it but its one of the best ways to prepare yourself for the big day. A short and informal photography session will iron out any worries and reassure you that getting your photograph taken can be fun.
When looking at the prices available, it's worth remembering that you really do get what you pay for in the wedding industry and if it looks to good to be true then it probably is. I always advise to book the best photographer you can and invest in something special that will last forever. If you really can't stretch to afford the photographer you want, do tell them this and ask if they can design a bespoke price for you. Most professionals should be flexible enough to work with you and come up with something you are both happy with. It's always worth asking the question but remember that a photographer can only take one booking per day and their prices will reflect this. Some good ideas are to book a midweek or Sunday wedding day. Your chances of being able to secure the photographer you love and take advantage of off peak prices will be much higher.
Finally, enjoy the process as much as you can. You will only do it once hopefully, so make it enjoyable and stress free!
http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/things-to-consider-when-booking-a-wedding-photographer-4447338.html
Notable Tips for Locating Exciting Live Wedding Bands Dream Weddings: Fairy tales come true and it's the beginning of forever Hot Wedding Trends to Check Perfect Wedding: A Dream Wedding Come True Wedding Seating Tips Britain's Royal Wedding Ceremony - The Social Event of the Decade in London Ideas for wedding gift and engagement gifts What to consider when choosing a wedding video company Low-Cost Wedding Invitations Alternative Wedding Location Venues within the wider Lindos, Rhodes Area Royal Wedding memorabilia: how to avoid bad surprises? Wedding Rings Are Forever Ideas For Choosing Wedding Favors