Hiring a wedding photographer may seem like a simple task, but choosing someone to capture all the moments and details of that special day can be much more difficult than most couples realize. The professional you select will create a photographic record that will be treasured by your family for generations, and making this decision is a critical step in the wedding-planning process. In some instances, hiring the wrong person might not only result in poor wedding photos, but could also have a negative effect on your entire wedding day (for example, imagine a sloppy-looking photographer running around, blocking the guests’ view and constantly distracting you from enjoying your day).
One of the most common and unfortunate mistakes couples make is hiring a family friend or an enthusiastic relative to photograph the day. Some may even ask guests to take as many photos as possible with the hope of piecing together an album composed of candid shots, most of which are unusable. Keep in mind that even with the proper equipment, photographing a wedding properly is a daunting task requiring significant experience, the finesse’ to be virtually invisible, and most importantly the talent and artistic vision to capture the memorable details and emotions of your wedding day. It is certainly not a job for the faint of heart.
How, then, does one choose an accomplished, professional wedding photographer? The key items to consider are your personal preferences in photography, your budget for the event, and the professional relationship and chemistry you have (or don’t have) with the photographer.
Wedding photography is usually classified as traditional, photojournalistic (candid), and artistic. There is a wealth of information online regarding these categories, if you would like more explanation of each. Although some photographers may declare that they are “hardcore photojournalists” (the current buzz-word in the wedding photo industry), I believe that a good wedding photographer must be able to do all the styles equally well. It is important to review a good selection of the photographer’s work, and you should love most (if not everything) you see. You should insist on viewing complete wedding albums to see how your final album could look. If you don’t feel an emotional connection with the photos, you need to iHiring a wedding photographer may seem like a simple task, but choosing someone to capture all the moments and details of that special day can be much more difficult than most couples realize. The professional you select will create a photographic record that will be treasured by your family for generations, and making this decision is a critical step in the wedding-planning process. In some instances, hiring the wrong person might not only result in poor wedding photos, but could also have a negative effect on your entire wedding day (for example, imagine a sloppy-looking photographer running around, blocking the guests’ view and constantly distracting you from enjoying your day).
One of the most common and unfortunate mistakes couples make is hiring a family friend or an enthusiastic relative to photograph the day. Some may even ask guests to take as many photos as possible with the hope of piecing together an album composed of candid shots, most of which are unusable. Keep in mind that even with the proper equipment, photographing a wedding properly is a daunting task requiring significant experience, the finesse’ to be virtually invisible, and most importantly the talent and artistic vision to capture the memorable details and emotions of your wedding day. It is certainly not a job for the faint of heart.
How, then, does one choose an accomplished, professional wedding photographer? The key items to consider are your personal preferences in photography, your budget for the event, and the professional relationship and chemistry you have (or don’t have) with the photographer.
Wedding photography is usually classified as traditional, photojournalistic (candid), and artistic. There is a wealth of information online regarding these categories, if you would like more explanation of each. Although some photographers may declare that they are “hardcore photojournalists” (the current buzz-word in the wedding photo industry), I believe that a good wedding photographer must be able to do all the styles equally well. It is important to review a good selection of the photographer’s work, and you should love most (if not everything) you see. You should insist on viewing complete wedding albums to see how your final album could look. If you don’t feel an emotional connection with the photos, you need to interview another photographer.
Couples also either under-budget for their wedding photography, or they try to shop around for the cheapest package, forsaking quality. As with any creative service, with most photographers you normally “get what you pay for.” If you see an all-inclusive package with albums under $2000.00, the quality of all the products and services is usually poor. If the package is above $5000.00, you should expect 2 photographers present, at least 8 hours of coverage, and high-end wedding albums (along with some extra items, such as proofs or parent copies). Make sure you compare apples to apples when reviewing various wedding packages, since they can be confusing. In most cases a typical wedding photography budget would be in the $3000.00 – $6000.00 range. Don’t treat your wedding photography as an afterthought – photographs are the most enduring and viewed remembrance of your wedding day (more so, even, than a video recording).
Make sure you feel a personal connection with your photographer. Some of the best photos of the day are usually taken “behind the scenes” as the wedding party prepares for the day, when you will be interacting with your family and friends. You should feel comfortable inviting the photographer “backstage.” As a wedding photographer, I regularly get invited to see the most intimate parts of the wedding day that are normally not visible to most guests or even family. Your photographer should be calm and assertive and have a positive energy about them. Make sure he or she shows a genuine interest in you and your family. Do not hire a photographer that makes you feel that your wedding day is just another job for them. Your photos would certainly reflect that.
Watch the video related to Wedding Photography
Masters Of Wedding Photography featuring Jerry Ghionis, David Oliver, Rob Heyman, Marcus Bell, Denis Reggie, Yervant, Joe Buissink, Jeff Ascough, David Beckstead, Martin Schembri. Two of the best photography DVDs available. Watch the best in the business do what they do best.
Help answer the question about Wedding Photography
What basic equipment is needed for for wedding photography?I would consider myself a fairly serious amateur photographer and have mainly shot landscapes. My friend saw some photos that I had taken and asked if I could take her wedding pictures. I told her that I was in no way a professional and that I could not guarantee the "perfect" wedding portraits. She said that she knew that and wanted me to take them anyway. Now I am wondering what type of lighting and lenses would best suit wedding photography. I can probably think of some things but I just thought I would ask so that I don't miss anything that would make my pictures better than they would be otherwise. Thank you for your help.
About Author
Michael Graham is a Los Angeles and Palm Springs based wedding photographer known for his ability to capture moments and details of the wedding day. You may visit his website at: www.mgpweddings.com and www.michaelgrahamphoto.com
Tags: Buissink, DVD, Joe, Masters, of, photography, wedding, Yervant
Interesting video… some helpful tips
Wonderful video and tips, tried to rate it but it says ratings are disabled. I would give it 5 stars
I was in the exact same predicament as you. I chose the cheaper photographer because he is going to give us all of our pictures, he is going to stay until I tell him to leave compared to the higher photographer who would only have stayed for 5 hours and I would have to pay him more by the hour. I also based my decision on the personality of the photographer. My cheaper photographer is such a free spirit and I know that I will have fun with him takin my pictures and he will make me laugh and he will do anything in his power to make me happy and make my pictures come out awesome. And when we talk together about the wedding and what I want he gets so excited and he can't wait just as much as I can't. I think that's cute. But more expensive doesn't always mean better! Good Luck!
Choose your wedding photographer based on your needs..
*How much are you will to spend on a photographer?
*What kind of photos are you looking for? Are you into the traditional or more photojournalistic or a combo? A traditional photographer will give you the posed shots that you usually see and lean more towards that type of photography…a photojournalistic photographer is more creative and will capture lots of candids, which are great because it gives you a better feel for the day. I chose one that does both because I wanted some formal shots, but ultimately wanted to be able to capture those little moments that give pictures more meaning and tell a story.
*Do you want one or more photographers? This also ties into budget. Some photographers bring along an assistant and are able to shoot not only you, but you groom at his house at the same time too.
*Most importantly, are you comfortable with the person you are hiring? Remember that the photographer will be with you all day, so if you don't like them–their personality, their approach, etc…chances are you shouldn't hire them. Choose a photographer that you are comfortable with and like.
Thank you a lot… I’m going to get married and it is a really good guide for us.. thanks indeed.
I did my wedding in Miami Beach with her, she is very nice and respectful; plus the pictures she takes are breath taking; you can she them
here http://www.mdphotographymiami.com
you should meet her to check her portfolio
Hi. I'm a professional photographer in New York City. Maybe more important, my daughter got married about a year and a half ago, and she and I "shopped" for her wedding photographer together, so I got a "Bride's Eye View" of what's important.
There are at least three big differences between the packages you are considering.
Number of hours. The smaller package specifies 5 hours of coverage. The second sounds like it is unlimited, from the time you are getting ready until you cut the cake at the reception. That could be 8, 10 or even 12 hours. So choose the package that really corresponds to your wedding day timetable. If you hire a photographer for 5 hours and keep him for 12 hours, you may wind up with huge overtime charges.
Number of photographers. Two photographers doesn't just mean more pictures, it means BETTER pictures. Both photographers can be shooting the same moment, but with different lenses, and from different places. That means that you will have great photographs of special moments – you walking down the aisle with your dad AND your husband seeing you coming AND your mom drying a tear as she reacts to this beautiful scene! One photographer, no matter how good he or she is, would have to choose which of those images to capture. Two photographers can get them all.
An album. You may have rights to print from a CD, but a professionally designed, printed, and bound album will be a treasure which will grow in value over the years. Unless you are a skilled professional graphic artist with excellent retouching and design skills, you probably won't be able to come close to the quality album that a professional can provide. Many brides who forego the album wind up years later with just a shoebox full of unretouched 4×6 drugstore prints to show people one of the most important days of her life. That's sad.
In addition to these three major differences, there are lots of "extras" with the upgraded package, such as the DVD set to music. This is a great way to enjoy and share your wedding pictures.
When my daughter and I chose a wedding photography package we went for the option that is close to the $2,800 package you are considering. Yes, it hurt a little to spend the extra. But we are both very pleased that we invested the additional money.
If you can afford it, go for the quality.
Regards,
George Delgado
Certified Professional Photographer
http://www.NYPortraits.com
Hi there.. like your style.. good use of available light.. cheers from Thina Doukas Photography in Sydney
It ok, but I got a much better deal. I spent $1,500 for:
Engagement session
two hours any location
11×14 print customer framed our choice
cd of all shots taken
Wedding day
two photographers for 8 hours unlimited pictures and locations (min of 1500 shot taken)
CD of all shot's taken
200 (5×7) prints of my choice
4 (8×10) prints of my choice
Our album 80 pictures of our choice
I also own all the rights to our photos so I can print them out as I please!
Great stuff … thanks …
Love you softbox for your speedlight. Is there also something like that for the Nikon’s speedlight SB900 that you know?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers, andré from Holland
Just what I have been looking for. Very helpful. Thanks
> If you had the opportunity to use 2 (TWO) freelance
> photographers for a very low price……
I'm not a bride (I'm a photographer). It may seem at first that low balling is a good idea. And indeed you will get some wedding contracts. But low price does nothing (in the long run) other than start a price war, and that leads to everybody's demise.
If you studied (a little bit) about business, competing on price is the worst thing a business can do. Essentially you do work for no profit. The smartest thing you can do, to compete in service (something that cost you nothing/close to nothing – but worth a lot to the bride). That way you can still charge what you normally charge for a wedding, have a profit, and yet compete. You win, the bride wins.
===
Many new photographer assumes that if they just take great pictures some how the business will prosper. And when they don't they do the only thing (lower prices). And things spiral down the drain. Read this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Photography-Focus-Profit-Tom-Zimberoff/dp/1581150598
It will save you lots of trouble. Also consider Gary Fong's video on wedding ( on how to make a profit on wedding):
http://store.garyfonginc.com/dvdgr2.html
He explains why shooting weddings and giving away the CD / DVD is just spinning your wheels. Essentially they (a) see all the unedited images and think you suck (b) you can't truly show your style in unedited selection (c) brides lose steam quickly after the wedding and never actually makes an album (d) their friends (of marriage age) never see your artistry and never become your clients. (e) etc., etc., etc.,
Gary Fong shows how to PARLAY one wedding into many more new clients. He explains how it is BETTER to do few high priced wedding over many low priced wedding (for the photographer and the brides).
Gary Fong would LOVE you to use his service all the time. But you can follow most of his advice using alternate services, etc.
Good luck…
P.S. Yes asking the brides (market research) is a good thing. But sometimes giving people exactly what they want is also a bad thing. It is true in street drug business. And it is true in wedding photography business. You as the professional must know how to steer them to a deal that everybody wins.
I understand you like to travel and such, but if you don't charge anything for the work you're doing, you're never going to make money unless someone else is supporting you or you have another job.
Awesome video, thanks for posting. I have my first wedding next year.
We went to a wedding expo and checked out all the photographers and their photos. If you like their photos, then it's some assurance and insurance you'll like the photos they take of you. Most of them have websites too so you can check them out from there. Also ask around your friends and relatives who they used as their photographer. It's also important that you get along with your photographer. If you don't like him/her, you're not likely to smile for them on the day.
It can get very expensive, so it's important to ask them what they cover i.e. is it X hours, is it up to the reception, halfway thru the reception or the whole thing. You'll also need to tell them how much time you have to take the photos (between the ceremony & reception) – find out how many locations they're willing to go to – some will charge extra for more than 2 or 3 locations. Also what do you get in return – how big is the album, how many prints do you get. Ask if you get the hi-res copies of your photos and when. I'm not sure about in the US, but here in Sydney, Australia, it's pretty standard to get your photos after 1-2 years. Also find out whether or not they'll do a pre-wedding shoot of the two of you.
We've gone against getting a videographer and instead getting a couple of friends to do it. Think about it, if you hire a professional, you'll just get what you experienced on the day… whereas with your friends, you'll get to see how they enjoyed your day and what they thought of your wedding. Plus your friends are more likely to know who the important ppl are to "interview" them. But it's really up to you what you want out of it.
Great tips and great video. Thanks so much.
Super. I adore his remark ‘Always ask permission to touch the bride’ !! Class gent. Great lesson.
Might be helpful if you included your location.