Wedding Photography Articles
Choosing the Right Photographer
You never realize how many photographers are around until you need one, or become one. If there are so many, how do you choose the right one for your special day? Why invest so much money in something that you will not see until it may be too late? Brides spend a tremendous amount of time, money and effort in selecting the perfect dress, the perfect cake, and the perfect location. By the time it comes to selecting a photographer, unfortunately price usually wins out to quality. Here are a few tips to help you select the perfect photographer for your wedding day:
Decide on a Style - Decide what style of photography you like before you decide on a photographer. Do you like photojournalistic or traditional, or a blend of both? Look in magazines or on the web to get ideas of what style best suits you. Many photographers will provide you with a checklist of desired photographs that will help you decide on exactly what photographs you absolutely want and must have.
View the photographers web site or samples - Many photographers post their proofs online now. Viewing the photographers work will give you a sense of his/her style and a good indication of his/her capabilities. If you find a photographer that interests you and you know nothing about them, give them a call and ask them for the names of recent brides so that you may contact them and get a personal referral. Call the former client and see how they enjoyed working with him/her and if they were satisfied, and if they would use them again.
Schedule a Meeting – Schedule a meeting with your prospective photographer. This is also another opportunity to view the photographers work and ask any questions that you may have. The photographer will also have questions for you, such as “Will you see your fiancé before the ceremony?” This is a long standing tradition and often viewed as bad luck, and the decision should be completely left up to the couple, however, there are many advantages of taking the bridge/groom images before the ceremony (fresh makeup, hair, fresh flowers). You will also have some time to enjoy the excitement and anticipation with each other, the groom can tell you how beautiful you are and the photographer can catch those special moments. If you decide to break tradition, your photographer can make this moment special for the two of you.
Make sure you are comfortable with the Photographer - The photographer will spend almost all day with you, seeing very intimate moments that you will share with your family and friends. It is important that you feel comfortable with this person and that your personalities click.
Keep your budget in mind – It is wise to keep your budget in mind, but it should not be an excuse for not doing your research to find a quality and professional photographer. Many photographers do offer affordable packages for smaller, more intimate weddings or second weddings. Most professional wedding photographers offer a variety of packages which can be extremely overwhelming, so having a sense of what you want will help you with those difficult choices.
Sign a contract - Signing a contract protects both you and the photographer. Usually upon signing a contract, you will be asked for a deposit. By doing both you have ensured that the photographer has committed to you to be available on your wedding date. Also, the photographer has faith in you that you are committed to him/her and that you like their style of photography. Make sure you understand the fees and payment term, and ask any questions before signing. Make sure you know what you have paid for or not paid for.
Communication – Once you have made the decision and you have booked your photographer, communicate with them what you like. Visual communication is a great tool. What you imagine and what you expect should be what you get. Making sure they understand will insure that you get the best photographs possible. Be sure that they share your vision and dream.
Long after your wedding day is over, your wedding photographs will be a reminder of your excitement, dreams, and anticipations. Be able to cherish them for years to come by choosing a quality professional photographer.
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