You want to remember your wedding day forever, that’s where your professional wedding photographer comes in.
It Doesn’t Always Pay to Cut Corners
When adding up the costs of your wedding and trying to see where you can best cut corners, it may not be a good idea to skimp on a professional wedding photographer. You may have a friend or relative who knows how to work an expensive camera, but is this someone you really want to trust with your special memories?
Are you sure that person knows about proper lighting or finding that perfect shot? What happens if the photos come back from processing and they’re grainy or blurred, will this ruin your friendship? Can he get all of your relatives to smile? Will she be able to catch candid moments like a pro? Think long and hard about hiring someone you know to take wedding pictures. After all, you get what you pay for. This doesn’t mean you should look for the most expensive wedding photographer you can find, but if it’s free photography you’re after, don’t expect quality.
Word of Mouth
Finding a professional wedding photographer to trust isn’t easy. The best way to do this is to ask other married couples for recommendations. These testimonials should give you a good idea who to call and who to stay away from. You’ll also want to check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure there are no black marks on their records. Your local Chamber of Commerce might be able to help as well.
When you have several wedding photographers on your list, it’s time to go shopping.
Professional Wedding Photographer Packages
All wedding photographers have packages to order. Packages are the amount of photos you can purchase at a specific price. For instance one package might include 100 wallets for thank you cards, 1 small photo album each for the parents of the bride and groom, a large photo album for the bride and groom, a couple of 5 x 7’s and maybe even a few 8 x 10’s. Find the package you like best and note its price. You want to see how much similar packages cost for each photographer on your list. In addition, you want to negotiate the costs of the proofs (the pictures that the photographer will show you as soon as the photographs are developed) and negatives. If not, you’ll be indebted to this photographer every time you need a copy of a wedding photo.
Request Samples from the Wedding Photographer
It’s not enough that a professional wedding photographer is affordable. You’ll also want someone who takes good pictures. Someone who can spot a candid opportunity and knows how to pose everyone involved so the subjects of a photograph don’t appear stiff or staged. Each photographer has a portfolio as well as sample albums to show. Ask if you can see proof books from recent weddings as well. Take your time and look through these photos. If a certain photographer’s work stands out, this is probably the one for you.
Ask to Meet the Wedding Photographer
The person who is taking the wedding photos will be spending the whole day with you. Ask the salesperson if you can meet the wedding photographer and don’t be afraid to request another photographer if the person to whom you are introduced makes a bad first impression.
Signing a contract with the Wedding Photographer
If you found a wedding photographer you like, you’ll have to sign a contract. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can take the contract home to read before it’s signed and don’t allow yourself to be pressured into signing something that doesn’t sit right with you. If the photographer isn’t willing to negotiate, move on.
You’ll also need to put down a deposit. This is so the photographer can reserve the day for you. If you should back out at the last minute, he won’t have lost money for the day.
As you can see, hiring a professional wedding photographer isn’t something to be taken lightly. Take your time and do the research. Ask for references and look at samples. You don’t want to trust your special memories with just anyone.
Source:
How to Hire a Professional Wedding Photographer
http://weddings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/How_to_Hire_a_Professional_Wedding_Photographer
