Are you getting married? Lots to organise? Oh yes … there are lots of things to do.
The list is getting longer and longer and the funds getting less and less.
This little article was written by me to help you with the selection of your wedding photographer.
1. Do I need a wedding photographer?
This is totally up to you. Your wedding photos are memories forever. Friends and family will take photos – of course – but usually they produce snapshots and fun candid shots. When you want quality wedding photos to document your big day you will want to hire a professional photographer. I would rather save on the wedding cake, the flowers or don’t get the upgrade for the premium wine and beer. No one will remember the type of beer or wine – but they will see the beautiful photos and keep your beautiful day in their memories. But is absolutely your choice.
2. Do you love the wedding photos?
How did you find your photographer? Word of mouth? Internet recommendations? A wedding expo? It does not matter … you first should have a look at his work. Don’t settle for a photographer when you don’t like his portfolio.
Do you like the style the wedding photographer? This is the most important criteria. Have a really good look at the portfolio and the photos the photographer produces. Some will produce very static, posed photos – others will try to capture you naturally – dreamy looks or tech style. These are your wedding photos – so try to find a photographer which matches your style.
Judge the creativity and quality of the pictures. Make sure you look at a full wedding coverage as well. Don’t waste your time with the wedding photographer when you only like a few shots … you need to love his work. Don’t even look or discuss the package price when you are not 100% convinced.
When you work with bigger photography studios ask explicitly for samples of the person who will shoot your wedding. Every photographer has its own style.
3. Availability – Book your wedding in advance!
A wedding usually happens on Friday, Saturday or Sunday … preferable in summer … a photographer can only attend one wedding a day. Usually you start the wedding planning with booking your reception venue – good idea. The second thing on your list should be the photographer. How frustrating would it be when you found a great wedding photographer which matches your style and price and he is booked out.
It is always sad for us when we need to reject a wedding because we are booked out. So make sure you book your wedding photographer in advance. But even when you are last minute … just give your photographer a call – you never know … you might be lucky. Call freshPhotography on Friday … we shoot your wedding on Saturday – could happen!
4. Meet the wedding photographer!
You found your photographer and he has availability. What to do next?
Before you book the photographer you should meet him. You will be able to find out how your photographer works. Wedding photography is something very personal. You learn more about them when you meet them face to face. Make sure you relate to the photographer. His personality is very important. You need to be relaxed in front of the camera. This is much easier when you relate to your photographer and he makes you feel comfortable.
In a meeting you can discuss all the details of the package and negotiate. Hire only a photographer you like … simple!
5. Don’t limit the time …
There are lots of photographers out there who have limited time packages. Of course it is expensive to hire somebody for the whole duration of your wedding. So some people will be happy with a few creative and fun pictures after the ceremony and the formal shots. Some will like to have the whole day documented. Most of the time people restrict the time because of their budget. Save on prints – save on the album – but don’t restrict the time – you will love a whole documented day!
We at freshPhotography never limit our time. You tell us where to be at what time. We always document your whole day – at unlimited locations.
6. Higher Price = Higher Quality?
There are huge differences in Wedding photography prices? How much are your pictures worth? You might find an amateur or start up photographer for a very cheap price but you could also pay top dollars up to $15,000 for high profile weddings. A student or amateur will be cheaper – usually you can’t see a lot of portfolio work and it might be a little gamble.
Photography equipment is expensive. Your photographer will easily carry around $15.000 worth of camera equipment. Equipment is important. This helps the wedding photographer to achieve quality photos. But don’t forget creativity is the most important asset of a wedding photographer.
Make sure you know what you get. Some photographers are a little bit cheeky about their pricing structures. They include the photography but then you will have to fork out more money to get the actual pictures (printed or digital). Make sure you understand exactly what you get! Read the contract very carful and ask questions. Some examples:
- Will you personally take the photos?
- How many prints and albums are included?
- Which photo lab are you using?
- Do I get High resolution pictures? Please define High resolution.
- How long will you take photos?
- How long does it take to get the pictures?
7. Albums or HighRes pictures?
Quality prints are expensive and cost a lot of money. Professional Albums require design time and are very often handmade. Most of these prints are far higher quality than the prints you will get from Officeworks or BigW. But a lot of people will be happy with the quality a consumer lab provides.
You could spend a lot of money on prints and albums. Your package might include a nice album and a few prints … but what when you want to show off your wedding pictures on your new iPad? Send them to family and friends via email? Publish them on Facebook?
We highly suggest that you make sure you get the high resolution wedding pictures in digital form. Think about it – it has a few benefits. You can always print these pictures – now or in 20 years. You always will be able to create an album – now or in 20 years. But you will never be able to reshoot your wedding. So better save on the prints than on the photographer or time.
Of course as a photographer I love to sell you these beautiful prints and albums as well. But when you are on a budget get only the high resolution pictures. You can print them anytime and design a nice album later. Some photographers disagree with us on this point – but I want to sell the photos – our creativity – and not the prints.
Some photographers will not give you the digital files. And they have some reasons for it: They want to make sure that their work is always displayed in the best possible way. Their name is related to these pictures. Computer software gets cheaper and cheaper. In the times of facebook and instagram you are able to change anything you want – fancy filters and resolution changes – not always to the benefit of the photos. As a photographer I would hate to see my pictures treated like that and I might even lose out on future customers when my pictures appear somewhere on the internet. My pictures are my reputation. For that reason some photographers will not give you any digital pictures – so please understand this.
We at freshphotography see higher benefits in you having the high resolution wedding pictures. So you always get all the pictures in the best quality in digital form on a 16GB USB stick. We also include a smaller version optimised for the web. Use them on your iPad, on facebook and share them with your family and friends via email.
8. Why should I get an engagement shoot?
You met your photographer. Great! So why not go on shoot with him before the wedding. For most people a wedding is the first time they get professional photos. So why not have a little practise run? You will learn how to work with your photographer in front of the camera. You will be far more relaxed on the wedding day when you know how the photographer will do the wedding shoot with you.
Now you are equipped with some knowledge how to select a wedding photographer. Hope this little article gives you a few ideas what to look for. Have a look at our wedding portfolio at freshPhotography in Melbourne and discuss your wedding with us. We would love to capture your big day.