Looking For A Wedding Photographer?
As some of you know, a lot of couples are busy putting together their wedding plans… and that usually involves hiring a photographer to document the big day. I have given a lot of advice to friends about hiring a wedding photographer in the past – I have also written about it here on this blog. So, I have decided to once again publish my list of what I believe is important when hiring a photographer.
I hope you find these basic guidelines and questions useful. I offer it with the intention of assisting you find that “right” photographer for your wedding day.
- What is your budget? There are wedding photographers for every price point imaginable and fees typically reflect the photographer’s skill level, reputation, amount of coverage provided and products offered in their plan(s). All too often, couples try to “cut corners” on their wedding photography to save some money (yes, weddings are very expensive) only to find out that their chosen photographer cannot deliver quality images. These couples often regret not making it a priority to get a photographer with the skills and experience to deliver the images they really wanted. The general guideline is to spend about 10% to 15% of your wedding day budget on your photographer. Wedding photography is one of the few items that you will purchase that results in something tangible so that you can remember your special day.
- Is photography a hobby or a full time job for the photographer? Let’s face it – digital cameras are becoming more affordable and there many new “wedding photographers” on the scene. Is photography their full time business or are they just trying to make some money on the side to help pay for their hobby? The questions to ask yourself:
- Do I want to hire someone whose isn’t a full time professional photographer?
- If they already have a full time job other than photography, when do they find the time to attend to their photography client’s needs?
- Do they have the time to improve their photography skills by taking courses?
- When do they process their images?
- What is their turnaround time like for delivering wedding images?
- Do they have the time to improve their photography skills by taking courses?
- If they are part time, how does their other job help them with wedding photography?
- Do you like spending time with the photographer? That is, do you like their personality? Don’t underestimate this one… many people I’ve spoken to have told me this is one of the most important factors in determining who they hire for their wedding day. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. Since your photographer will spend most of that day with you (and photograph you when you are most vulnerable), would you feel comfortable spending a lot of time with this person? Are they professional? Is the photographer personable and easy going? Are they outspoken to the point of being bossy? Are they “Mr. Angry Pants“? Can you trust them to document one of your most important days in your life?
- Do you like the photographer’s work? Most wedding photographers have websites with sample images from weddings. Also look at the printed portfolio – images on the web often look much different in print.
- Do you like the photographer’s style? There are photographers who are very traditional in their approach to creating wedding images. They may do a lot of work in their studio and prefer posed shots on the wedding day. Some photographers use a photojournalistic (PJ) style. They essentially “document” the day’s events as they unfold by being the proverbial “fly on the wall” and are typically unobtrusive in their style. There are artistic photographers who see objects in the world as works of art – their photography has an “abstract” feel to it. Some photographers employ a hybrid approach with their wedding photography. Others offer something completely different. What is most important to you?
- Does the photographer understand what YOU want? Photographers have a vision of how they would like to shoot your wedding. Do they understand how you want them to document your day? Or do they treat every wedding the same way? It is your wedding and you get to call the shots (pardon the pun – I promise not to quit my day job!).
- Motivation for a referral? Most wedding vendors (photographers included) get a large percentage of their paid work from referrals. A question to ask is, “Why is this photographer being referred to me?” If it is because the person making the referral loves the photographer’s work and service – then great! How would you feel though if you knew the referral was made because a “fee/commission” was being paid by the photographer? Ask about the motivation behind the referral (i.e. ask them to disclose the full nature of their financial relationship with the photographer) and see if you are comfortable with it. Remember: Photographers with great work and service don’t need to pay a referral fee to someone else – they have more work than they can handle. Let their reputation (and NOT their wallet) speak for itself.
- Will you get the products you want (or not want)? Are you after just the negatives (digital files) or do you want your photographer to provide you with proofs, enlargements or custom designed albums? Is there something else such as second photographer coverage or a slide show set to music on DVD that you want? What is their product mix? Do they lock you into a “fixed plan” with products you do not want or is there flexibility in what you can order from them?
- Who exactly will photograph your wedding? This question may seem a bit odd. Couples are often shown a portfolio of images they admire from the studio’s lead photographer. Another photographer from the studio then shows up to photograph the wedding and it unfortunately comes as a complete surprise to the couple. Find out exactly who will be photographing your wedding and evaluate their work.
- Will the photographer show you an entire wedding? Most photographers (myself included) have their best images on their website and in their printed portfolio for numerous reasons. Can/will the photographer show you an entire wedding that they shot? This will give you an excellent idea of what their style is like and the coverage they provide.
- Can your photographer provide references? Are they happy to have you contact their previous couples regarding the work they did for them on their wedding day?
- Backup equipment? Does the photographer bring backup equipment for their camera bodies, lenses and other critical items? There are some unfortunate stories of photographers who show up at a wedding with just one camera (or a key piece of equipment) only to have it fail at the worst possible moment.
Even though these are only a few items to consider when looking for a photographer, they are from experience, the most important. Enjoy your wedding day to its fullest – and it is my wish that you have the most beautiful and special images to remember your wedding day!
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I disagree with a lot of what you wrote. I am a part time wedding photographer who is just getting started and I can save people a lot of money. Why should couples getting married hire a real pro or a studio? I don’t have the overhead of running a real business, so my clients can save money. Insurance, backup equipment and formal training aren’t really needed anyway – that just means people have to pay more for photography.
I don’t really care to be a full time photographer – I am happy to be making some extra cash on the side. I have a good camera and lens and it takes really good pics. As long as my clients “believe” I care about them, their wedding and their needs, who really cares? Best thing – I don’t have to declare what I make so I don’t pay taxes on it. You do! Ha ha ha sucker!
Good tips!
I worked for another photography company for about a year, they always got their head guy to talk to the clients and show ‘his’ work, (which I’m not sure if it was really ‘his’ work anyway) but the clients were usually surprised and probably dissapointed when another photographer arrived to shoot the wedding for him. I think sometimes he even told them he’s personally going to shoot, but in that case he would stop by and do some photos quick before running off lol.
And he charged allot.
This is a great list Roel! – I visited it from your facebook group. I think it covers all the items a bride should consider during her research for a photographer and I love when brides ask me these kinds of questions.
As another wedding photographer I just want to address Terry’s comments for a moment. First of all I hope anyone looking to book you reads this post because it really does show your level of professionalism, and honestly I wouldn’t book you as a bride as it doesn’t seem you have any respect for the sanctity of the day. Wedding photographers don’t pay for insurance and backup equipement just to help the economy, they do it because should anything go wrong you can’t restage a wedding! I’ve been at a wedding where my flash has stopped working and the only thing that saved the reception photos was the fact that I had back up equipment. I’m very passionate about this argument as I’ve seen naive brides trying to save money booking someone without the proper tools or dedication to the job and end up disappointed with no level of recourse. I don’t think that you need formal education to be a wedding photographer but it certainly helps, and if you have no formal education you should definitely be a full time photographer before offering your services as it gives you the time to do the research on techniques and test things out in order to better serve your clients. Your comments and lack of concern for being prepared shows just how much you have to learn – I would be concerned about booking someone who thinks that it’s great to be deceptive and not pay taxes, because let’s be clear you do have to pay taxes on what your making on the side the difference is you are choosing not to disclose it and are being deceptive. I wish you and the brides that book you the best of luck because as the old adage goes (and Im pretty sure Roel said this above) you get what you pay for….
Amanda “Sucker” Lachapelle
WOW – I am surprised to see so many comments so soon after this post!
I am personally disappointed that some people seem to be in the wedding business for all the wrong reasons, especially when they think that (1) their customers don’t care about quality work , (2) they think that they can defraud the government and (3) they don’t need to take a couple’s wedding seriously.
A mentor once told me (actually, he told the whole class): If you aren’t serious about this job, get out before you ruin a bride’s wedding day.
To Terry (and others like him), please don’t ruin someone’s wedding day. Many people (including your client’s lawyers) will never forgive you if you do that.
Or maybe you simply don’t care at all.
Roël Dixon-Mahatoo
Roël Photography
I found the link to this blog in facebook. I wish I had read this list before I got married. I got burned. Big time. We have no decent images from our wedding day. I called a couple photographers asking if they could somehow “fix” them, but most of them couldn’t be “fixed” (like out of focus shots, blurry shots, way too much flash, way too dark, unflattering composition… and lots of stupid/corny poses). Most professional photographers really aren’t into “fixing” other people’s work I found out and turned down my request.
Yes, we went for “cheap” instead of quality when we hired our wedding photographer. It is not that we didn’t have the money – we had an expensive reception, great food, lots to drink, limo, gorgeous flowers – and lots more. When those bills started to add up, we decided to cut back in a few areas and photography was one of them. And unfortunately, we left it to the last minute. With the benefit of hindsight, we had enough money for a fanastic wedding and photographs. We just never made photography a priority. It should have been. A very hard lesson learned.
So, we spent a huge sum on our wedding. But that is all gone now and all we have left are the photos… and in a word, they are “utter crap” (ok, that is 2 words, but who is counting anyway?)
All of the warning signs were there at our initial meeting, but his price was right for what we were asking. I’m so stupid… his “sample album” had photos from the album company… they weren’t even his own! But yes, silly us, we paid our deposit anyway. And now, we have only regrets. He even photographed my bouquet in a ratty old box… he didn’t even think to take them out of the f***ing box! To top it all off, this idiot we hired made really stupid and vulgar remarks and jokes all day. My husband, the wedding party and our families hated having him around.
My advice to couples reading this list: print off a copy, read it, then re-read it. You will be well armed when you visit potential wedding photographers. And please don’t cheap out when it comes to your photographer. Hire the best one you can afford – and most importantly, make sure they are someone you could easily become friends with. We underestimated how important personality and professionalism were going to be for us.
As someone said earlier, you really do get what you pay for. It is so true.
Just a messge for Terry,
GET OUT OF THE WEDDING BUSINESS.
Your attitude stinks. People want images of their special day to be just that. Special. Not taken by some moron who doesn’t care.
Rod
Roel has hit the nose on the dot with a lot of him information above.
You wouldn’t hire someone with a home stereo system to DJ your wedding, so why would you hire someone who is just getting into photography.
I do photography and so does my spouse, I am a professional Disc Jockey for the last 14 years.
People do not understand that when you hire someone the costs involved to make that business happen.
Terry – Insurance is a must. Why you say? What happened if a drunk walked up to called you a name and then threw your (in my case) $3000 camera on the floor. What next? Without insurance you would have to buy a new. Your insurance covers you for that kind of thing.
Terry – Backup equipment. Why well once again what if the sensor goes in your camera, what if the flash stops working, what if the drunk pulls your camera down and it smashes on the floor. With backup gear you will still be able to provide services set out in their contract.
Terry – Training. There is so much available for training out there and I think it is great. Looks great on your resume and it doesn’t hurt to touch up on some of those skills.
So ask yourself this would I want to hire Terry who thinks things are not a necessity and get screwed in the end of deal with a professional. Some people do not realize that there are people out there that deal with this kind of thing. Bottom feaders – as a DJ I deal with that a lot. A friend’s cousin paid $500 for a DJ to show up late, and asked the bride to burn her own music. WRONG ANSWER – Audio Video Licensing Association Inc deals with those issues and copyright infringement.
Listen to your vendor when they explain how the quote was made and based on what facts. Too many people out there get screwed because they hire people like Terry.
Sit down and ask them questions: What setting do you use RAW or JPG? What camera do you use? What do you have to use in way of lenses our church is really dark but they do not allow flashes? Do you know what ISO and Aperture? Can they do macro shots?
I have a list like this for my couples to ask a DJ too. Those who studder and hesitate to answer these questions are not really intuned with their professional. Or is Terry’s case. HOBBY.
Wow, this Terry guy sounds like a real character. Building on the comments of my wife Shaeree above, I just have a few things to state.
1.) Roel, your list is great! I’m currently rebuilding my website and will be adding my answers to a few of your questions into my FAQ’s!
2.) Terry. Wow, I’d love to see the lawsuit that is eventually going to be slapped on you when you totally screw up someone’s wedding and have absolutely no recourse. Good luck digging your way out of that one without any kind of insurance to cover you. It’s people like you who make all of the questions listed in the original posting necessary.
I’m fairly new to the photography business myself. I’ve completed one season and and just starting my second. If I didn’t carry backup equipment including extra lenses, I would have completely screwed up a Wedding on New Years Eve/Day when one of the lenses malfunctioned. Considering I’ve only been in the business for a short period of time, I gathered the opinions of a few colleagues in the area who have been doing this much longer. They ALL have had some kind of equipment malfunction at one time or another and ALL were saved by backup equipment.
Terry reminds me of a “professional” photographer we ran into at a wedding once who was shooting with a 1.3MP Canon PowerShot, point and shoot camera. I was just tagging along while my wife DJ’d their event, and had my Nikon D80 in tow. After seeing what the “professional” was shooting with, I asked the B&G if they would mind me taking some photos of my own. I never once mentioned to them during the event that their “professional” photographer was using crap for a camera. A week or so after the event, they received their photographs from the “professional” and needless to say, they were very upset with the quality of the photos. They practically begged for the photos that I had taken that night. I don’t even begin to believe that the Nikon D80 that I was using was the best equipment for a wedding, but it saved their day.
Granted that is a little bit of a different situation, I believe the point is the same. Their “professional photographer” was obviously not professional and didn’t care what came of the photographs as long as they were getting paid.
Terry, you’re going to get bitten in the a$$ sometime when you have an equipment failure or even if you just mess up your lighting/composition. I feel extremely sorry for the Bride and Groom who will fall victim to your scam.