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How to Find the Perfect Wedding Photographer
Your wedding is a big deal. It doesn’t matter if your ceremony is large and
lavish or small and sedate; you want to document the moment. In this day of
video, photographs are still the preferred medium of recording personal events.
Watching a video cannot replace the warm feelings received from flipping
through a family photo album.
Choosing your wedding photographer is an important decision. A bad wedding
photographer can steal moments that will be lost forever. Why leave your big
day to chance? Don’t hire your best friend’s son unless he’s a professional
wedding photographer. Don’t leave your photography needs to your brother and
his digital camera. No, your wedding day is not the day to take chances.
How Do I Find a Photographer?
If you’ve never hired a photographer, it can be a daunting task. The last
thing you want is a hack photographer ruining your wedding pictures. But don’t
worry; there are some steps you can take to decrease your chances of hiring a
bad photographer.
1.
Ask friends and family for referrals. If friends and family feel
comfortable enough to recommend a photographer, then he or she probably does
great work. But be careful. Make sure the photographer is recommended based on
their work instead of their personal relationship with the referrer. So if your
coworker recommends his daughter, be sure he’s not just trying to get his kid
an assignment.
2.
Check the photographer’s portfolio. The photographer may take good
photos, but they may not be to your liking. Is the photographer better with
black and white than with color? Are the photos slightly out of focus? Are the
poses to your liking? These are things to consider when evaluating a
photographer’s portfolio.
3.
Ask about experience. Does the photographer specialize in weddings? Has
she or he ever photographed a wedding? At this point, you should also ask for
references. Speaking with past clients is a great way to judge the photographer’s
professionalism. Also make sure you meet the photographer with whom you’ll be
working. If you’re working with an agency, they may send a photographer you
haven’t met or evaluated.
4.
Judge the photographer’s character. You’re intrusting this person to
record an important part of your life. Make sure the person is someone you’d
like working with on a personal level. If they give you a bad vibe or seem
unprofessional, look elsewhere.
5.
Finances. The important thing is to get a good photographer, but you
must also stay within your budget. The only time you should consider going
above your budget is if the photographer is so good, until you just must hire
them.
When speaking about money, find out exactly what’s included. Are reprints
included in the price? Does the photo album cost extra? If the photographer
can’t make it, do you get a full refund? Does the photographer have a partner
that will complete the shoot? These are all important things to know.
6.
Know when you’ll receive the photos. It’s not uncommon for a
photographer to take months to provide proofs and finished photos. This can be
terribly frustrating for a newly married couple. If you’re not comfortable with
the time given by the photographer, then look elsewhere.
7.
Get it in writing. Make sure there’s a written contract. No handshake
deals allowed. Read the contract carefully before signing anything. If you have
questions, ask them before the contract is signed. The contract should include
even the smallest details right down to the time the photographer is due to
arrive and leave.
The contract should also include your home address, the date, location, and
time of the ceremony. Make sure your contact information, and the contact
information of the ceremony location, is included in the contract. If your
wedding is taking place on a beach or location with no phone, provide at least three
cell numbers where someone can be reached.
These are only a few things to consider. It seems like a lot
because it is. But, if you want to hire a good photographer, it takes time and
research. Your special day is worth the trouble.
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