Question for Brides

[karmstrong]

:?: As a new wedding photographer I wonder what Brides are looking for when choosing a Wedding Photographer, what is most important to you?

Years In Business
Pricing & Packages
References & Education
Style of work
Other


Thank you,
Kimberly Armstrong

[sstark1218]

There are really two for me... price/packages and past work experience. I am having a really hard time finding a photographer in my area, I think I will have to have them come from out of town and just pay a bit more...

[toneman]

Having a business myself (DJ service), it is important that you sell your service based on your professionalizem, experiance and quality of work and not so much based on your price. Price is important but should not be the determing factor. Your price should be based appond the level of professionalizem, experiance and quality of work. A client is willing to pay more this to reasure that they will get the best service possible. I get alot of possible clients calling me to find out how much I charge and thats it. They are what I like to call "bottom feeders" or "tire kickers". They are just looking for the cheapest. You get what you pay for, cheap price means cheap quality in my book. To help you out with your new business, talk with other photographers in your area and see what they do.

[wedbyjean]

I get alot of possible clients calling me to find out how much I charge and thats it. I hear ya. I get that a lot too. (I'm a Professional Bridal Consultant).

They ask what my price is, but they don't even ask what that price actually gets them.

They are just looking for the cheapest. You get what you pay for I couldn't agree with you more. Lowest price often = lowest quality, lowest experience, etc. And it makes folks like us who do charge an honest, fair (yet higher) price look like we're out to cheat someone, and that we're only in if for the $.

talk with other photographers in your area and see what they do. Great idea. But be upfront with the other photographers. Don't pose as a bride or groom to get info. It is unethical, and the other photographers WILL remember you. One thing I've learned is that there are plenty of brides/grooms, and I cannot service all of them. I'd rather be on friendly with other consultants in the area. So if I'm already booked, or if I get sick and can't fulfill part of my contract, I can refer the couple to someone else who's reputable instead of leaving someone hanging. And it carries a feeling of good will to the client -- I care about them even if I can't help them.

Jean Neuhart
Weddings From The Heart

[stoneysgirl]

As a bride, I would be looking at a number of factors.

prices and packages. Portfolio. I am more interested in the quality of the pictures and then I will look at your prices and packages to see if it fits my budget and if I find them reasonable. I don't just look at the prices but I compare what is provided in each package. For me I got lucky and my grandmother is a beautiful photographer. We are going to do the Vegas thing but she will be there with cameras in tow so I get added pictures and I trust the quality.

[Maryhelen]

I think the first thing that attratcts me to anything is the pricing (and packages). Something even more important though is definitely the quality of your work and what you can present to me as an example before I would make my decision to work with you.

Congrats on your new career!

[LaceyinPgh]

A lot ot it is price. I have a relatively large wedding budget but I still was not willing to pay some photographers what they were asking. I had one photographer quote me almost $7000 just to show up. That didn't even include pictures yet. I was looking at $10,000 jus tin pictures. Tha tiwas half of the budget! More were in the $5000 dollar range. I don't care how good someone's work is that is just ridiculous. I picked my photographer not only because her price was decent for pictures that I will look at my entire life. But because her packages and work were outstanding too. However what made me the most excited about her was the way she treated me. She actually cares about my wedding. Her attitude sold her work for her. My wedding is 10 months away and I get an email from her about eery two weeks asking how things are going in terms of plans. How you treat your clients is going to sell you more than anything else you have.

[iluvweddings]

What appeals to me originally is pricing - I know what my budget is allowing for and I don't want to waste my time or the photographers' if I can't even afford it.
Secondly - I must see their portfolio! It doesn't matter to me if I am the first wedding or the 1000th, if they have quality pictures and great referrals - I am willing to work with them.
I personally am not interested in a lot of posed pictures, more photo journalistic. I want my pictures to tell a story of my wedding, the bride and groom, the bridal party and also the guests.
Lastly - I am looking for a photographer that offers pricing based on the time period, not the number of pictures. I don't want someone to miss something because they are counting clicks. A lot of photographers are charging a flat rate and issuing a disc including all of the pictures taken, which allows the bride to print as many of each picture as she would like.

I hope that was helpful!

[SpringBride]

Style is the first thing I look for. I don't want boring photos! I look for trendy, cool angles, and pictures that tell a story, not just poses.

Second factor is price, but that's more my fiance.... :roll:

[CarlosHoney]

I think it's a combonation of things. If you're new, but are reasonably priced and have a beautiful style, then you appeal to me. If you have tons of experience, and have a good price, but your style is stiff and doesn't resound with a more modern approach, than no, I wouldn't go with you. It's just the balance.. I say that price is a factor for me, others perhaps not as much. I think that artistic creativity speaks to me more than anything, maybe because I'm an artist, but I think that you hire a professional to get that polished look. I'm going to show my photographer the pictures that I like, and have her work with me on it.

Good luck in your business, and I wish you the best!

[lindsayo18]

My biggest issue would not necessarily be how long you have been in the business, but what kind of work you have done in the past. Definitely have samples available for potential clients to look through. Price is not often an issue, (as long as it is not unreasonable), because your wedding pictures should be one of the things you splurge on.

lindsayo18

[allydawn0040]

Most of the brides that ask me for referalls for photographers are generally interested in price because they are on a budget. However, I lead into it telling them that the photographers I work with are high quality, experienced photographers that charge an affordable price for their services. I also explain to them that there are other ways to trim down the budget but the photographer is one of the areas that they do not want to skimp on. I advise them to meet with 3 or 4 different photographers in the mid price range and choose one based on how well they related to the photographer, the portfolio and then pricing. The photographer was one area I skimped on at my wedding and BOY do I regret that!!! I ended up with only 3 good pictures out of 500. :oops:
Best of luck! allydawn0040

[sweet bride]

when im think a bout choosing a Wedding Photographer i care a bout twi things Years In Business
Pricing & Packages
but my fiance care a bout price at first :bbcry: because our package is not much