Choosing a Wedding Photographer … What to Look For and Look Out For.
Image by WeddingBellesPhotography
We all know that the Wedding Photographer is an integral vendor on your special day. Likewise, it’s one of the bigger expenses, so you want to make sure you choose the right person or company for you and your event. What people aren’t sure of is who to choose, or why to pick one over another. So, here are some handy tips to ensure you’ve got the right photographers.
Notice I just said photographerS, plural. That was not a typo. Modern wedding photography is very different than the traditional all-posed portrait shoots of 15+ years ago. No matter what style you like, one photographer really isn’t enough. Two photographers are key, and make sure to ask if they are real photographers and not just assistants holding and pretending to shoot the backup cameras, are essential to capturing your day. I know there are a lot of people who will disagree, but they are usually the ones pushing the one photog packages! You can’t get the Bride’s face seeing the Groom for the first time, and the Groom’s face seeing the Bride at the same time, especially down the aisle. I always recommend a second photographer, or even a third one if you have over 400 guests.
Determine your style. Do you want mostly posed formals or mostly moments? No formals, some formals, silly shots of the bridal party hamming it up or really beautiful artsy prints? Traditional is mostly formals and the major happenings at the wedding (dances, ceremony, cake cutting, etc.). Photojournalists spend their time documenting the day as it happens, they rarely interact with the subjects and hang around shooting things as they happen. Most brides want a mix of styles with a focus on photojournalism, but some great formals with family and bride and groom. Just an FYI, 75% of the prints we sell after the wedding are formals, your moms and grandmas are going to disappointed if there aren’t any. Don’t say I didn’t warn you 
Don’t base your decision purely on money. OF COURSE, money is a factor, don’t get me wrong, but it can’t be your only deciding factor. For example, I can’t tell you how many people have said to me at weddings “Oh my gosh, where were you when I got married!?!” People often regret not spending more on a better photographer, but I’ve never met anyone who wished they had spent less. 18 – 20% of your total budget should go to photography. At the end of the day, you will have a marriage, rings, a dress you will never wear and your photographs. These are cherished memories that should be captured by a professional.
Check their credentials. Search their names on Google, see what people are saying. Make sure they have some testimonials. Professional photographers are members of professional organizations, so ask them if they are WPPI or PPA or WPJA.
Ask to see proofs. This is a big one! Just about anyone can buy a professional looking camera, take 500 pictures and end up with 10 – 20 nice shots. Do that a few times for free for family and friends and POOF – a website is born. You should ask to see at least two complete sets of proofs from real weddings shot in the last 6 months. Whether in their office or online, make sure that the proofs show all useable prints, meaning photographs that are color correct (not to dark or too light), no flash faces (flat looking from bad flash lights) etc.
Ask yourself “Can I spend the entire day of my wedding with these people?” The only vendor who is with you pretty much the entire day is your photographer, so go with someone who you like and feel like will mesh with your family and friends. Someone who seems charismatic and has a lot of energy, but is not annoying or fake.
Ask what camera bodies they use. I’m sorry to all those I am about to offend, but a Canon Rebel is NOT a professional camera. The people who constantly spout off about the fact that a great photographer can use any camera usually can’t afford pro equipment and are making excuses. I don’t know one legitimate professional photographer who shoots with Nikon D40s or Canon Rebel or XTIs. I mean really, do you want your wedding photographer to shoot with the camera your grandmother just bought at Costco? I doubt it. You don’t need a list of all their cameras, backups, flashes and lenses, you wouldn’t know what to do with that anyway. Just ask about their main body and check out where it lands in the price and ability range.
It’s easier to pay more up front over time, than to pay a large fee to upgrade your album and order prints later. Many clients are shocked to find out that the album in their package probably won’t fit as many images as they think. And even if it does, you will probably want more. 85% of our clients upgrade their albums, so plan it like you will and upgrade from the beginning for additional shoot time and products.
Yes, you can negotiate, but don’t be offensive. If a photographer lists their lowest package price around $2500, and your budget max is $1000, you are probably out of your league. There are often discounts available for weekday or Friday weddings, or off season (typically December to March in states with a winter), and it’s okay to ask. But, don’t expect a discount for a Saturday or Sunday wedding in May, June, September or October. Those are the busiest months nowadays, and Sundays are so common that they hardly qualify as off-days like they did 5 years ago. Most photographers will swap time for time and products for products in packages, but don’t expect them to forgo the engagement shoot and give you a bigger album, the hard costs are totally different.
You should meet them in person if you can, or over the phone if nothing else. Don’t book your first meeting, meet at least 3 or 4 photographers and see if they are the one. Photographers are like boyfriends, sometimes the new one is better than all the ex’s and sometimes you want your first love back. Plan on meeting all your choices in one week and make a decision quickly, the good ones book fast and early.
If you have any questions, please comment and I’ll try to answer them for you,
Cheers! Kenzi Kay
Written by our fabulous contributor Kenzi!
www.WeddingBellesPhotography.com
