Photographer Questions

[Jenn060306]

Hey... I'm working on finding a photographer for our wedding, i was wondering if anyone had any tips for me. What to watch out for, and what i should expect from them.
My friends sister is a wedding photographer, so i have asked her for a quote and to see her portfolio. I'm still waiting to hear back from her. But i was wondering if i will expected to provide her dinner as well. The wedding ceramony is at 330 in the afternoon and we'd like for her to be there. But also come take pictures at the reception of all the bridal party, me and my new hubby, the cake cutting, etc. So it would be prety late by the time she got to eat.

Thanks alot.

[LaceyinPgh]

First when looking for a photographer, make sure you like their work. There is no point of hiring a photojournalist when you want traditonal posed shots. Secondly make sure they aren't going to break the bank. You want to get the best photographer that you can afford but without having to sell a kidney. Some photographers that I looked at had a basic package of $7000. Are you kidding me? I could have a nuerologist follow me around all day for less than that. Also, make sure that your personalities match up. That is so important. You are trusting this person with the most important moments of your life you should get along and hav ea good relationship.

As for food, yes you need to feed them. Most will require so in their contract. You can go with a plate of your regular offerings or your caterer can put togheter a vendor meal. Just ask them. Usually the photographer eats when everyone else does because there aren't pictures to take during that time. Unless you want pictures of guests chewing.

[fstopusa]

Hi,

I am a wedding photographer, so here is my opinion. Keep in mind that all photographers are different and will have different opinions than I do, but here goes.

I would say that you have been given good advice so far by LaceyinPgh. One of the most important things to consider when selecting a photographer is their work/style and whether it fits your taste/personality. The other thing is to consider the personality of the photographer. You will spend a lot of time dealing with them during the time before and after the wedding day, so it is good to have someone with whom you can get along. Plus, if you are comfortable with them, you will likely react better in front of the camera.

I always do an engagement session with the Bride and Groom before the wedding in order for them to get comfortable with me and for me to see how they act in front of the camera. That way they are more relaxed with me on the wedding day and I know what to look for or say to get them to look their best in the shots we do.

Also, photographers can be expensive, but I believe that photography is the best investment you will make for your wedding. I am sure that I am biased on that topic, but you really will want good photos to help you remember the day after you have been married for several years. My own wedding photos bring back a lot of memories when I look through them.

So, I guess I would tell you to take a look at your budget and then decide what things are most important to you and allow more money for those areas. Find the photographer who has the best work, in your opinion, for the price you are willing to pay.

Also, be careful of extra/hidden charges. I know of photographers who price themselves to seem inexpensive when you hire them, but after the wedding is over they find ways to pressure you into buying items that you don't want. We all have to make a living, but no one likes high pressure sales pitches.

As for feeding the photographer, it is probably a good idea to at least offer. Personally, I choose not to eat at weddings that I am shooting, but I am not like most in this respect. I am there to do a job and I ususally bring something I can eat quickly when I get a chance. I have eaten at a few of the weddings over the years, but mostly only when the B&G had urged me to. My wife / assistant, however, is our resident expert on who makes the best wedding cakes in town and loves to try the cakes at each wedding if she can. :D

I hope that helps a little. Best wishes on your wedding!

[sstark1218]

Thats some great info. Thanks from all of us, we needed that.

[fstopusa]

Hey, no problem. That is what I like about this board. It allows the vendors and couples to communicate with one another. It is just as important for us, as wedding vendors, to have input from Brides & Grooms as it can be benificial to the B&G to get insight on topics that we have more experience with. We need to know what our customers want and they get some information on something that most B&G's have never done before and that we have done hundreds of times.

I really believe that this can be a Win/Win situation for everyone.

[CindySue]

Im still debating on whether or not to have a professional photographer. The prices I have seen so far are WAY out of my budget. We are trying to have our wedding for less than $1000. I know to some of you its hard to believe Im trying to work with so little, but we are trying to raise 4 kids AND buy a house. Im just glad I get to have a wedding.
What are some "cheap" alternatives, so that I could still have some memories to look back on?

[WebLady]

As for what to look for with a professional photographer, here is an excerpt from an article I wrote not too long ago ...

-----------------------------
Choosing the photographer to capture the precious memories of your special day is sure to be one of the most important decisions you will have to make in planning for your wedding.

Once all is said and done the pictures will be one of the few things left to remember your day by. There are some overwhelming options, so do your homework on the subject.

There are three basic camera formats that most photographers you come across will use; they are known as 35mm, Medium Format and of course, digital. There is often much dispute as to which is best. All these systems have there own advantages and disadvantages but it is hard to say which one is best for wedding photography. It all depends on the photographer and needs of the bride.

These days the average professional wedding photography package runs about $1'500.00, (give or take) so you should be more concerned with what you are actually getting rather than the camera the photographer may use. Look for the skill behind the camera! So look at lots of samples and make sure you like the style they shoot in and you are happy with the quality of the final images. And make sure you meet the actual photographer that shot the samples and the one that would be working your event.

Ask questions! Ask if they carry a back up camera! Here is a scary thought ... some “professionals” don’t carry back ups! So what would happen if their camera broke down at your wedding?!

Ask how many pictures they normally take at a wedding. You want to have plenty to choose from. And ask about the proofs, do you get to keep all the proofs? And if so, ask if you will get print quality "proofs", or will they have "Proof" stamped all over them or will it be a book of thumbnail images or a photo disc?

Ask about the negatives too; if they don't come with the package (which is common) ask how long they are stored for future orders and if they are ever sold. And ask what the cost for future post wedding orders would be.

Ask what kind of film they use, is it high quality refrigerated professional film or is it the same consumer grade stuff you can buy yourself at the local drug store? And ask about the papers your finished pictures will be printed on. This too should be high quality professional grade.

If it is a digital photographer they should be using a professional SLR camera with at least 6 mega pixels for sharp enlargements. Again, look at lots of samples to get an idea of there style and the print quality!

Your photographer should not only be skilled at his/her craft, they should also be a "take charge" person but they should still have respect for the day and not be too pushy. Your photographer should have a personality that compliments your own. You should be able to get along well with this person as you will be spending a lot of time together on the wedding day and probably after too! If possible, do an engagement and/or pre-bridal session with them before you book in order to get a feel of how you will work together.

There is a vast sea of photographers out there, both professional and freelance. You have to find the one that suits your needs and of course your budget. Just be sure you know what you are getting upfront
and ask about additional charges such as overtime rates and travel fees. Get all the details in writing; time included, amount of pictures included, and so on.
-----------------------------

As far as saving money on photography, here are a few tips ...

You can save big bucks on photography by cutting back on the time the photographer is there. So consider hiring the photographer for only a few hours rather than the whole day. Have all the formal portraits done before the wedding, and have someone else get the ceremony and the candid shots. Don’t want to see the groom before the wedding … and want professional ceremony shots? Then do most of the formals before the wedding, have the photographer shoot the ceremony and then finish the formals afterwards. Have disposable cameras at the reception and/or have a friend get the important reception shots.

You can also look into having a student photographer or a freelance photographer shoot the event, they won't be as experienced as a professional but they will often do it for much less and when you are on a tight budget you are not left with many options.

Best wishes,

~ WebLady :)

[LaceyinPgh]

Im still debating on whether or not to have a professional photographer. The prices I have seen so far are WAY out of my budget. We are trying to have our wedding for less than $1000. I know to some of you its hard to believe Im trying to work with so little, but we are trying to raise 4 kids AND buy a house. Im just glad I get to have a wedding.
What are some "cheap" alternatives, so that I could still have some memories to look back on?

If money is an issue but you still want a professional photographer I would suggest just hiring them for teh ceremony and some formal shots afterwards of the bridal party. That is going tobe way cheaper than having them there all day. Then have some trusted friends handle snapping pics at the reception. You oculd even put those little disposable cameras on each table for candid shots of your guests.

Also do you have any art schools or colleges in your area? If you do you might want to check with the head of their art or photography departments. Often times you can hire a good student with good refeerences from their porfessor. They are usually willing to do it for the cost of the film and development along witha hot meal as long as you allow them to use your wedding pictures in their portfolio.

[WebLady]

Im still debating on whether or not to have a professional photographer. The prices I have seen so far are WAY out of my budget. We are trying to have our wedding for less than $1000. I know to some of you its hard to believe Im trying to work with so little, but we are trying to raise 4 kids AND buy a house. Im just glad I get to have a wedding.
What are some "cheap" alternatives, so that I could still have some memories to look back on?

If money is an issue but you still want a professional photographer I would suggest just hiring them for teh ceremony and some formal shots afterwards of the bridal party. That is going tobe way cheaper than having them there all day. Then have some trusted friends handle snapping pics at the reception. You oculd even put those little disposable cameras on each table for candid shots of your guests.

Also do you have any art schools or colleges in your area? If you do you might want to check with the head of their art or photography departments. Often times you can hire a good student with good refeerences from their porfessor. They are usually willing to do it for the cost of the film and development along witha hot meal as long as you allow them to use your wedding pictures in their portfolio.

LOL, that is what I said just in not all the same words :wink: ...

As far as saving money on photography, here are a few tips ...

You can save big bucks on photography by cutting back on the time the photographer is there. So consider hiring the photographer for only a few hours rather than the whole day. Have all the formal portraits done before the wedding, and have someone else get the ceremony and the candid shots. Don’t want to see the groom before the wedding … and want professional ceremony shots? Then do most of the formals before the wedding, have the photographer shoot the ceremony and then finish the formals afterwards. Have disposable cameras at the reception and/or have a friend get the important reception shots.

You can also look into having a student photographer or a freelance photographer shoot the event, they won't be as experienced as a professional but they will often do it for much less and when you are on a tight budget you are not left with many options.

Best wishes,

~ WebLady :wink:

[CarlosHoney]

I'm having my wedding for under $1500, so I know what you mean. My friend is in photography school. She's doing it for the cost of the film/paper.

[soon2bmrs.allgood]

My photographer was $1,800. She was there all day From 3-10. We also included her and her assistant in our meal count. My advice is to make sure you have some close ups as well as far away shots and to make sure you get a lot of details of your wedding.But especially with your family and guest. I regret not taking any with my guest.
Good Luck.