4 months ago 14th Jul 09:52
There is nothing wrong with any approach, as long as it fits in with the day you want. So give it some thought and research to find photographers who offer that.
2. Buying Based on Price Alone
Buying the cheapest or most expensive is not necessarily the best way to go. In any market, you will find companies at both ends of the scale, and plenty in between.
The key word when it comes to any purchase is value, and the same is true of wedding photography. You want to get good value for money.
Going for the cheapest photographer may cause more problems than it solves:
Cheap wedding photographers don’t stand behind their work if they make a mistake. You could end up with no pictures because they messed up. Or maybe you only get a few photographs when you were expecting dozens.
You get what you pay for. How much are you prepared to pay for a bad experience and pictures you don’t like?
Secondly, low price usually means low quality. The best wedding photographers charge in the region of £10,000 per wedding. The guy who charges £250 does so because he knows he’s not worth £10,000.
If he values his products and service this low, who are we to argue?
Quality is also important not just for the presentation. If you don’t want your wedding photographs in a £4.99 supermarket album, you need to think about investing more.
Then there are the added extras. You could end up paying extra for things you hadn’t considered, like having a weekend wedding, paying in instalments, or even getting your choice of wedding albums.
A cheap £300 deal can end up costing £1000 or more. So make sure you know what you’re paying for.
3. You Think Just Having The Right Gear Is Enough.
Many photographers have state-of-the-art equipment, but that does not mean they know how to use it.
A photographer friend of mine met a guest at one of his weddings who was using a £25,000 Hasselblad H3D Camera, but openly admitted he had no idea how to change many of the settings!
Without the knowledge and creativity to use it they may as well be using a disposable camera.
4. You Ask a Friend/Relative to Take Your Pictures & Expect Professional Results.
When it comes to family and friends offering to photograph your wedding, you can become a little blinkered. These offers have to be turned down if you want great wedding pictures.
Have you been to a wedding and thought, “the photographer makes it look so easy”? That’s because he is a professional. He has photographed countless weddings and got his system down to a tee.
In reality wedding photography is tough, stressful and very fast paced. Most if not all inexperienced wedding photographers would have a hard time keeping up and getting the desired results.
There is nothing wrong with booking an amateur, just don’t expect professional results from them.
A professional will also be prepared if anything goes wrong, like his camera breaks down. Professionals carry at least two cameras with them.
5. You Don’t Allow Enough Time For Your Photographer To Do Their Job
Mistakes happen when you rush!
If you want some formal or group photographs taking, allow time for it in your schedule. How much time is needed will depend on a number of factors so discuss this with your photographer once you have booked one.
Do you have any special photographic requirements? Your photographer will know you want the traditional pictures with your parents, best man, and bridesmaids, but what they won’t know is the aunt you haven’t seen since you were 10, is flying in from Australia and you really want a few pictures with her.
You need to inform your photographer of details like this, well in advance.
6. You Have Photographers Competing With Each Other
Sometimes this is a good way to do business, for instance when buying a new car. This is not such a good idea when it comes to a personal service like photography.
A good, reputable photographer has a loyal client base who will continue to use them and recommend them to others, and does not need to entertain the antics of a price shopper.
By initiating an auction, you could be alienating the people you really want on your shortlist. Of course price is important, but don’t forget quality, service and reputation.
7. You Don’t Read What You Sign
You would be amazed how many people just sign their life away, or just skim-read the terms and conditions before committing to a legally binding contract.
If your photographer has made you a verbal promise, get it in writing!
8. You Turn Off Your Instincts
Trust your intuition. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
9. You Ignore Unprofessional Behaviour
The way someone dresses can say a great deal about the type of person they are.
There are some photographers who think that being an artist means they need to dress in a way that reflects their creativity. Do you really want ripped jeans, multi-coloured hair, and various piercings at your wedding?
The way someone looks and acts whilst trying to get your wedding booking, is a fair insight as to how they will look and act at your wedding.
10. You Take A Sample Album At Face Value
When a photographer shows you a sample album, they should be able to show you an album of pictures from just one wedding.
Why is this important? Simply put, any idiot can go to a wedding, take 500 photographs and get a couple of good ones. So an album of 20 photographs with 2 or 3 from 8-10 different weddings is no real insight into their ability to take great wedding photographs.
Taking 500 and getting 50 good ones requires a bit more than luck.
Also, as you are looking at the photographs, ask the photographer about the wedding. For all you know this could be his mate’s wedding album.
Ask how the different photographic effects are created. A hesitant or nervous reaction is a sure sign that something is not quite right.
A Final Thought
Your photographer is charged with the task of recording your wedding day for you. They will be creating the only material thing that survives past the honeymoon.
They will have to interact with everyone involved, and you will be spending a good proportion of your day with your photographer. They will have one eye on you all day, watching for the special moments that make great pictures.
A photographer is more than just a service supplier. To get the full return on your investment you will need to work with them before, during and after your wedding.
So book someone you can get along with, someone who can work around and within your plans.
Paul Spiers is a professional wedding and portrait photographer and runs Cosmic Photography in Telford.
Your Comments:
Be the first to comment!