Wedding Layers

There are many buying decisions to make when planning a wedding. One of the most important decisions you can make is who will photograph your wedding. The broad range in pricing these days can cause alot of confusion for prospective brides and grooms. I hope to clear that up in this article.

One question I am asked all the time is:”How can one photographer charge $700 for an entire day and another photographer charge $3500?” Do you get what you pay for? Does more expensive mean better? Does less expensive mean bad? Lets start with some basic information on how the photography industry has changed in the past five years.

Digital SLR cameras have become somewhat mainstream in the last couple years. Many people are purchasing 12 MP camera for under $1000 and instantly becoming “photographers.” There is no minimum education level or licensing required to become a professional photographer. Many of these novice photographers are starting part-time wedding photography businesses to help supplement their income. To them, $700 is alot of money for a days work. In this category many of the photographers are using photo-journalism as their approach and also providing CD’s as the finished work
product. While not all photographers in this novice level are bad photographers, you should have a certain amount of buyer beware.

I recommend meeting with several photographers within different price ranges at least 6 months in advance of your wedding. Be prepared with a list of questions. Record your feelings when you first meet; sometimes first impressions are the most important. Make sure you will feel comfortable working with this photographer during your wedding day.

Here is a list of questions you should be asking.

1. How long have you been a professional photographer?
2. How long have you been photographing weddings?
3. Do you have an assistant who works with you?
4. Do you bring a back-up camera in case your main camera has mechanical failure?
5. What is your style of photography?
6. Do you photograph more than one wedding per day?
7. Are you the photographer or do you hire someone else for the day?
8. If you provide a CD do you provide a reproduction release for all the images?
9. If you provide a CD are the images full resolution?(as opposed to sized for the web)
10. How long does it take to receive the images?
11. Are the images that we order retouched?
12. If I want certain poses with relatives, how do I make sure those will be taken care of?
13. Could you provide us with 2-3 references?

Do not neglect asking any of the question above. You will be amazed at the differences in answers and will soon see why there is a huge difference in pricing. I have known many couples who were surprised to find someone else at their wedding as the photographer because they forgot to ask question 7. Do not assume anything and get everything in writing.

On your wedding day you want to make sure you have a photographer you can trust. If someone is charging under $1000 for a wedding, most likely they would not pass the test when answering the above questions. If you are trying to save money than you will have to accept that sacrifices will have to be made. Are you willing to trade experience for price? Are you will to trade piece of mind for price? How about quality for price? You are the only one who can make that decision.

There is some skepticism about photographers who charge too much for wedding photography. How can one justify $4000 for days work? In reality, a photographer’s fee covers more than just the hours spent at a wedding. First the photographer has a cost of sales for the end products they are delivering to the client. Add to that insurance, marketing fees, consultation time prior to and after the wedding, computer time retouching images, assistant fees, photographer salary. And when all that is paid out, there should be enough left for entrepreneurial profit.

Professional photographers love what they do, but are also business people, who know that their fees must cover all of their expenses and provide a profit so they can continue to succeed in the business. The photographers who do not cover all their expenses by charging low fees, will not be in business long enough to succeed.

Be prepared when you start meeting with photographers. Do some research in advance to find out what weddings cost in your area. Look in magazines for the styles that you like. Every photographer has a their own style and some are sought out just for their own brand. Know what your budget is and what you want. If a CD with 400 unretouched images fits in with your budget than be prepared to accept an unfinished product. If portraits, and an album are what you desire, be prepared to be top dollar. Your wedding day only happens once in a lifetime and your portraits will help you cherish the memories especially as the years go on.

Mary Buck is a professional photographer with Lightscapes Photographic Artwork in Duluth, GA. She is available for weddings in the Metro-Atlanta area. She also photographs infants, children, families and high school seniors at her studio in Duluth.
You can view her work at http://www.lightscapesphoto.com/

Author: Mary Buck
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Sure, there is no doubt, what to choose: a professional photographer or family relative who is an amateur photographer. While that family member, who was chosen as photographer wouldn’t be able to enjoy the wedding, because of the work and as amateur photographer he is not able to see things that matters, a professional photographer would be there to take professional photos, because he knows what is the most important in wedding photography and therefore  the results are obviously different. Your photographer has to capture every lovely view, every smile, every laughter.
There is no second chance to take really good wedding photos, it is once and for all. Therefore it is necessarily to know how to get a good wedding photographer. Most of photographers do not even bother with wedding photography, because wedding photography is one of the most difficult branches in photography. Good wedding photographers are those, who love their work and are able to take photos, which are telling true stories. The photographer should have a unique style. The photos have to be creative and fully charged with emotions. But there is not only the photographer who matters. Essentially is also a good planning for the wedding.

Different ways

Search for a good photographer. There are different paths to find one. Go to magazine store and find the best magazines about weddings and wedding planning.  Most of the magazines also have a chapter about wedding photography. Some of the photographers have commercials inside with contacts. Many of the magazines also have yellow pages with wedding photographers.

Another way is to “Google ” for a wedding photographer. Most common keywords to get best results are: “Wedding photography”, “wedding photographer” or simple “wedding”.

Another way to get a wedding photographer is to post ads on free advertisement pages.

And if any of your relatives got married recently, just ask them, if they had a wedding photographer. If they did, just ask for contact.

Now, you have to contact all the photographers, which you think will suit your wedding concept.

Asking the right questions

It is necessary for you to know the wedding photographer. Important for you to know is how long is he in this business, what equipment does he use and if he is working with an assistant or in pair with another photographer. Also ask for a webpage gallery. If he does has one, have a look and check it. It is important for you to know what he offers, so go ahead and ask for offer and also for pricing. Additionally write him what is your lifestyle, what are your expectations and wishes and in what style will your wedding be.

Choosing

Now, think about what is important for you. Review your budget, which was intended for wedding photography. After you have received all of the answers from photographers, make the first selection. See, if they meet your expectations and if they offer all the services you have asked. You can also easily recognize if someone is serious and if he really wants to shot your wedding. After that, contact the selected ones again and ask them to meet them in person. This way you can see how they are in reality, what they think and how they work. Ask the same questions as you already did when you first contacted him. See if there are any deviations to his statements. If not and if you like the photographer, then it is time to tell him, that he is the one.

Afterwork

Your work is not finished yet. Ask him, if he is working with a contract. If not, ask him, if he can prepare a contract, which will be signed by both of you. Read all paragraphs very carefully and do not sign, if you do not know what you are signing. If everything is ok, sign it. This way you can be certain, that you will get for what you pay.

There is another thing. Do not pay in advice. If he wants advice money, kindly ask him, if you can add another paragraph, which defines that you are obligated to take him as wedding photographer. If he still wants advice payment, then do not pay more than half of the whole price of his services.

The pretty work

Now, it is recommended to make the photographer very familiar with your wedding. Tell him about your wedding planning, about the style of the wedding. Tell him what kind of photos you expect. Make a plan and go together to the place, where the wedding will take place. Look at different places for portrait photography. Tell him the program and time schedule of the wedding, so he can get prepared.

If you are going to follow these steps, you will probably get a really good wedding photographer and therefore also great wedding shots and services.

It is the most important day in your life, so take your time and find a really good wedding photographer.

http://weddings.gregorharih.com

Author: Gregor Harih
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Wedding Photographs – Expensive or Priceless? Here are 10 simple ways to get the best wedding photographs on your day.

1. Look at each other

Please remember you are marrying each other not the minister or the registrar. As a former church minister I just want to assure you its okay to face one another. You have spent a small fortune on wedding photography, but at the crucial moment all that anyone sees in your backs – talk to whoever is doing the wedding and TELL them you want to look at each other.

2. Do, do crazy things on the day

Please do act on the spur of the moment. Spontaneous things can work really great on wedding photographs and a good photographer will lap it up.

3. Colour or Black and White?

Some will say what goes around comes around. But the reality is that black and white and colour photography are very different. Black and white is much more atmospheric and dramatic. Look at samples of photography because colour photographs should be either subtle or vibrant never wishy washy. Make sure you get both in your album. Ask what the mix will be, i usually do 70% black and white for intimate shots and 70% colour for group shots. Ask the photographer which they prefer and why.

4. Do it for real NOT mock

Beware the part-time wedding photographer who will want to do MOCK cake cutting and MOCK first dance so they can get away. Don’t accept MOCK anything. If your photographer is not there when you actually cut the cake, then they’ve missed the speeches, and the meal and that special moment, and the… You want your photographer by your side all day.

5. Can you trust your photographer?

Trust is important. You have to feel you can trust your photographer, after all they will see you all made up and completely un-made. You have to feel you can trust your photographer so when they ask you to do something or pose in a particular way, its going to make a great photograph.

6. Style and approach

A photographer can’t be all things to all people. Ask what their photographic philosophy is – reportage, traditional, journalism. Does their approach agree with yours?

7. Listening

The first time you meet your photographer, check whether you feel they listened to you. At the end of the day you want to open your album and get the wow factor, that happens when the photographer gives you something of what you are expecting, with things your were never expecting.

8. Flexibility

“Customer is King” is a true saying, or in this case ” Queen” and being flexible is essential. I guess all wedding photographers go through the “Packages” stage in their career, I know I did. Here my package, take it or leave it. One thing to know about your wedding is that its UNIQUE. Therefore, you need a photographer who appreciates your uniqueness. If a photographer is not flexible to your desires before your wedding day, they will be even less flexible on your day.

9. To be seen or not to be seen

There’s a big difference between being seen and being noticed. Its your day so do you really want a photographer taking over? – And it happens in so many ways – from telling the couple what to do – to making everyone wait for their meal. I’ve even known a photographer stop the ceremony because he missed a shot. Remember its your day and your photographer is there to guide you NOT dictate to you. However the thing that annoys me most is the photographer with the big flashgun. With the right investment in high speed lenses and a proper understanding of exposure 95% of photography can and should be taken with available light. In the last 12 months I’ve only used flash once.

10. Know what’s going to happen in case of bad weather

You can never guarantee the weather, especially in the UK. When the sun is out photography is easier because there are usually lots of places to go with the bridal party to get great photographs. But when its raining its a different story. Space is usually limited and locations likewise. Without exception I always checkout the wedding and reception venues if i’ve never photographed there before. Because I try to use only available light I need to see where the light is good – but I also check out where we can photograph on a rainy day.

http://www.imaginethat.uk.net Keith Beesley BTh. (Oxon)

Author: Keith Beesley
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If you are reading this, chances are you are recently engaged. Congratulations! The task in front of you to plan your wedding may seem overwhelming but this article should help you in at least one major area – choosing your wedding photographer.

Hiring your wedding photographer now will have consequences for life, so it is incredibly important that you choose a reputable photographer. If the cake turns out chocolate instead of marble or if daisies are in your bouquet instead of carnations will you remember it five years from now? Will it really matter? Probably not, but what will matter is having bad photographs or video of your wedding day.

Just as soon as you’ve chosen a date for your ceremony, you should choose a photographer. Peter Clayman, senior photographer for NH Images, says his business typically books up to 10 to 14 months in advance. He stresses the importance of booking as soon as possible, “In a perfect world, they should book twelve months in advance. If that’s not possible, they should do it as absolutely soon as possible.” This is because many photography companies that consist of a sole photographer can handle only one wedding in any given day. NH Images, for example, has a team of photographers that can shoot up to five weddings at a time.

After setting the big date, determine your photography budget. Photographers are among the highest-paid vendors for weddings so be sure to plan proportionately. Next, decide on the style of photography you like. According to Peter, there are several photography styles to consider. Photographers may shoot all styles or just one or two. Knowing the style(s) you want will help you select the appropriate photographer.

Photography Styles

Photojournalist-style photography (AKA candids) is a very popular way to document your day in a non-obtrusive fashion while capturing all the emotion and events as they unfold.

Conservative photography (AKA formal portraits) usually consists of groups that are organized and posed. They are usually shot after the ceremony but before the reception but can take place at any point when there is “down time” and the groups can be assembled.

Artistic photography is an unconventional, edgy way of presenting lasting memories. The way the photo and/or subjects are cropped, the use of special filters and creativeness with location are just a few examples.

After you have decided which style(s) you prefer, you can research photographers and schedule interviews. You can find photographers through online searches, regional wedding directories and specialty magazines and books. Before setting up the interview, email or call with these questions first.

Questions to Ask Before the Interview

o “Do you have my particular date available?” There’s really no sense continuing if they are already booked.

o “What photography style(s) do you shoot?”

o “Where will we meet for an interview?” Find out if you will be meeting at his/her studio office or if you will be meeting in a neutral location. It is easier to confirm if you are dealing with a legitimate business when you have seen a physical address associated with it.

o “How long have you been in business?” This answer will give you a better understanding of whether or not you want to proceed based on their experience level.

o Ask the photographer to send his/her references and any unsolicited kudos of any kind that you can check up on before the interview.

During the interview, expect to learn about the pricing and packages available, see samples of the photographer’s work and get a feel for his/her personality. Liking his/her personality is important because you will all be spending a lot of time together on your special day; therefore, you need to find someone that you “click” with and who won’t pressure or intimidate you.

Take this list of questions with you to ensure you are getting a professional, high-quality photographer.

Questions to Ask the Photographer During an Interview

o “How many weddings have you shot in the last few years?” Even though they may have been in business for awhile, ensure they have shot a number of weddings that complement the number of years they have been in experience.

o “How many weddings have you booked so far this year?”

o “Are you affiliated with any professional organizations?” Although not a requirement, belonging to organizations such as the Digital Wedding Forum and Professional Photographer’s Association to name a few, demonstrate the photographer’s desire to remain current with industry standards and technology.

o If you know your venue: “Have you shot at my specific venue?” If so, there is value because he/she already knows the logistics.

o If the photographer has not shot at your venue before: “Will we have a planning meeting?” This is a meeting where you and the photographer meet on location ahead of time to go over the specifics of the ceremony and/or reception. This is very valuable because the photographer needs to understand how much space he/she will have to work with as well as an understanding of light and other technical aspects.

Something to consider is whether or not you will want videography. There are at least two benefits to hiring a company like NH Images who offers both stills and video. For one, if you hire the photographer and videographer from the same company, chances are good that you will save money because they often offer package deals. Secondly, when hiring from the same company, you can be confident that the still photographer and videographer have worked together before and will stay out of each other’s way. Hiring the photo/video team from the same company makes for a smoother day and cleaner end result.

Final Steps

Expect to sign a contract and read it thoroughly. Make sure that you understand the policy regarding deposits in the event you must cancel. Also, make sure there is a contingency plan clearly outlined in the event an emergency arises and the photographer cannot perform his/her duties. Oftentimes, there will be a statement in the contract explaining a backup photographer. Make sure this exists and that there is a backup plan in writing. You can also expect to pay approximately 25 to 50 percent at the time of the contract signing with the remainder due by the wedding.

Most of the time the photographer will not be able to “hold” the date for you while you decide to hire him/her. Usually, only a deposit will secure the date. Keep in mind, holiday and long weekends are especially popular and will be the first to book. When meeting with the photographer, if you determine that he/she is reputable, has a great personality and falls within your budget, book that person immediately. Chances are good that if you are planning twelve months in advance, so are other determined brides-to-be.

© 2008 by Candy Osborne

About the Author:

Candy Osborne is a freelance writer and former photojournalist with experience hiring photographers. http://www.nhimages.com is a reputable wedding photography and videography company for couples planning weddings in the New England area and beyond.

http://www.nhimages.com

Author: Candy Osborne
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You have spent a lot of time and money planning your special day. You have taken great pride in the kind of wedding you are going to have. One thing you will want is your special day recorded for all time.

Pictures of your wedding and reception are something you will treasure for the rest of your life. You want someone taking those pictures who know what they are doing, and how to get the memorable shots.

Professional vs a Friend?

Most brides and grooms face this decision. They have a friend who loves to take pictures as a hobby and offers to take their wedding pictures as a gift. Saving money is something everyone wants to do, but there are some places you shouldn’t scrimp on. Your wedding photographs are one of those things. Unless your friend has a job as a photographer, hiring a professional is the best choice. Professionals will have the best equipment and have the knowledge to get the right shots.

When should you start looking for a photographer?

Your best bet is to hire one in plenty of time, preferable a year prior to your wedding date. Many photographers are booked far in advance, especially the really good ones.

How do I find a good one?

Finding a good photographer is not very hard. Wedding and bridal shows are wonderful places to get names and pricing information. Bridal magazines are another good place to look. Asking a friend who has had a wedding recently is an excellent way to not only find a photographer, but get a referral as well. You can also find listings for photographers in the yellow pages, but use this only to get a listing. Never hire someone without checking them out first.

Researching your choices

There are numerous ways to check out the photographers on your list. Most professionals have a web site. While you must remember the photographer put all that information on their site, it is still a good place to begin. They should have examples of their work, along with photo packages and pricing. You will also want to contact the Better Business Bureau in your area to see if the photographer has been reported. Most BBB’s have web sites, so checking is easy.

References

Any photographer in business should be able to give a list of past customers. When you call, be sure to ask the following questions:

1. Was the photographer on time?

2. Was the cost reasonable?

3. Did you get the pictures you wanted?

4. Did you get them in the time frame you were quoted?

5. Did you have any problems with the photographers, or their staff?

Past clients are more inclined to be honest with a potential customer than with the photographer themselves.

Once you have narrowed the list down to your favorites, it is time to start calling them for quotes. Remember to always get a quote in writing. It makes it easier later on to remember what the photographer promised. Here are eleven questions you should ask any potential photographer.

1. Are you licensed?

2. How long have you been a photographer?

3. Will you be taking my pictures, or will one of your staff?

4. If one of your staff will be taking the pictures, will I get a chance to meet them ahead of time?

5. Do you have set packages available, and what are the costs for each of them?

6. How long will I have to wait for my pictures?

7. Do you do wedding albums too, or do I have to supply my own?

8. How much time will you spend at my wedding? At my reception?

9. is there a charge for overtime, should there are problems or it takes longer than you originally quoted?

10. Do you do the traditional poses, as well as your own unique ones?

11. Will my photos be available online for family and friends to order for themselves, or must I do all my ordering through your directly?

You will have more event related questions to ask your potential photographer. One question you should ask yourself is if you are comfortable with this photographer. A professional photographer will strive to make your special day run smooth. A professional photographer won’t be pushy, rude, rushed, or annoyed. If the photographer you are interviewing seems to be any of these things, do not hire him. You will be stressed enough before, during and after your wedding; you don’t need your photographer to make it worse.

A wedding is a special even and deserves to be remembered. Photographs are an excellent way to show the beauty of the day and hiring the right photographer will make your memories all the more special.

Dawn Arkin is a writer who loves to plan and attend weddings. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com/ which is a site for Wedding Invitations.

Author: Dawn Arkin
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