You have seen it on practically every wedding photographer’s web page and in bridal magazines. It seems that everyone wants to give the bride and groom advice on how to choose a wedding photographer. Most of what I have read is sound and useful advice, but I thought it might be helpful to write an article that explores this in more detail. So lets look at the mistakes brides and grooms often make in choosing their photographer.

Over the past 25 years as a wedding photographer, I have had the opportunity to speak with well over a thousand engaged couples. I am always surprised by some of the criteria many of them use to choose their wedding photographer. Here are the top 7 mistakes I feel many brides and grooms make when selecting a photographer for their big day:

1. RELYING ON WEDDING VENDOR REFERRALS. This may be the worst mistake of them all. Many wedding vendors trade referrals with other wedding professionals with no real knowledge of the other’s work. And yes, many times it’s an honest referral based upon working a few weddings with one another. But how much can a DJ, for example, really know about the quality of a wedding photographer’s work? Often times this type of referral is just based on the fact that the DJ has worked with the photographer at a number of events and liked him or her. Did the DJ ever see the final result? Did they see the wedding album? Probably not.

2. JUDGING A PHOTOGRAPHER BASED SOLELY ON A “GREATEST HITS” WEDDING ALBUM PORTFOLIO. There is nothing more misleading regarding a photographer’s talent than looking at a sample wedding album that is a compilation of their best shots at 50 different weddings. An album such as this may be useful in understanding just how great an image they are capable of producing, but that’s really all it tells you. Ask to be shown an album of one entire wedding from start to finish. A good wedding photographer should be able to produce a number of complete albums, which will give you a better idea of how your own wedding will be photographed. Virtually anybody with a decent camera can get one great shot per wedding!

3. PAYING TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO THE SALES PITCH. Every photographer can tell you great things about themselves and so they should. But in your initial wedding consultation, look for photographers who are interested in YOU. A good photographer will want to know the types of photography styles you are interested in and what you are looking for in a wedding photographer. A photographer who asks you lots of questions about your wedding and your preferences will probably also be more likely to listen to you and have a better sense of what you
want. If the wedding meeting is just one long lecture from the photographer, move on to the next photographer. Find someone who cares.

4. NOT ASSESSING THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S PERSONALITY. This is a biggie. You will spend the entire day with your photographer. If you don’t get along with him or her, it can ruin what should be the happiest day of your life. Rude and bossy photographers can also cause problems with your guests. Find a photographer who is easy to talk to and who you can establish good rapport with.

5. CHOOSING “UNCLE BOB” TO SHOOT YOUR WEDDING! With digital cameras now in practically everyone’s hands, there seems to be a lot more “wedding photographers” out there. The fact that a friend or relative is good with his new digital camera does not mean he can handle a wedding. And what about file backups? Does your family
photographer know how to do a correct backup, or even have the proper computer hardware to do it? In my business, I bring a portable hard drive to every wedding and the images are uploaded and checked on the spot. When I get back to my studio, the images are uploaded to my main computer and then backed up on an external hard drive. Once that is complete, 2 back up DVD’s are burned. Only then will I erase the cards I used for the wedding. You don’t want your memories to go up in smoke along with a burnt out hard drive.

6. CARING ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS TYPE OF CAMERA EQUIPMENT. In this day and age, a photographer can make great images with any medium to high quality camera. Wedding photographers who spend an inordinate amount of time discussing the type of equipment they use may not be the right person for you. What you really want to know is what type of images they can produce and if they can show you plenty of samples. It’s the final result that matters. If you are happy with what they show you and everything else checks out OK, you can assume their equipment is adequate for the task.

7. CONFUSION OVER PRICING. If you can’t understand the pricing or packages, keep looking. Package pricing, if flexible, is the best way to go. It allows you to have a better idea of what your final bill will be. Ala carte pricing can confuse and be misleading. You may assume that something you though was included in their coverage costs extra. Like a wedding album! However, a photographer who only offers strictly structured packages should also be avoided. Ultimately, you want to find someone who will work within your budget and give you exactly what you want. If you don’t see a package that fits your needs, ask the photographer to let you design your own.

This list was not intended to intimidate people in the market for a bay area wedding photographer. It should, however, help you understand what’s important. Find a photographer with a style you prefer and who shows you images that you love. Use that initial consultation as a way to get to know your photographer and develop rapport. Talk to some former clients to get a sense of how the photographer behaved at the wedding. If everything looks good, you are ready to make your decision!

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Mike Dubnoff

Dubnoff Wedding Photography

www.dubnoffphotography.com
(925) 686-4960

You may think it’s a good idea today to have your uncle who is fairly good with a camera take the photos of the important days of your life. I’m sure uncle Harry is going to do a great job ~ you’ve seen some of the nice pictures Uncle Harry has taken on his trip to the Caribbean - you’ve seen some pictures that he’s taken while visiting friends, or being a guest at a friends Wedding.

You may even be so wrapped up in other events going on in your life that you think by just giving the “treat” of Uncle Harry the responsibility of taking care of This ONE special event for you, Whew.. that’s one thing you don’t have to think about. Uncle Harry is probably thrilled and honored at the idea of being able to give you the Gift of photographing your special events -

There are a couple of things that you may not have thought of ~ Is Uncle Harry going to be on time? Does Uncle Harry know where you’ll be at times of your day ? Does Uncle Harry really know how to use his Camera, especially in different lighting situations? Is Uncle Harry going to be hugging his Aunt Ruthie while he’s missing special moments that can’t be recaptured?
and since uncle Harry is doing this as a Favor, is he going to determine when he’s taken enough pictures? or who they are of?

When you choose your wedding Photographer you are picking the person that will be in charge of preserving the memories of your special day. This is a day that will happen once for you, it’s a day full of amazing memories that can only be captured at the precise moment. Make sure you really think about this part of your wedding planning. Photographers come in many styles, personalities and price ranges. Don’t let not being able to afford a photographer keep you from getting some great shots. Talk to your photographer and let them know if you can’t afford much ~ if it’s a photographer that takes pictures for the sheer joy of Photography, then I’m sure they’ll come up with a budget that will work perfectly for you.

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Authored By Natascha’s Photography

I am the mom of 6 wonderful children. I have always loved capturing their special expressions. I have enjoyed photography since a young age and love to capture the special moments in your life. I work a full time job during the day and I get to enjoy my photo passion in my free time. I became a Professional Freelance Photographer about 6 years ago and set my sights on Weddings and Capturing amazing moments in peoples lives. My Goal is to provide you with incredible photographs at prices that are truly affordable.. I keep my rates low because I Love what I do, and I never want something like money to stand in the way of you getting beautiful pictures and amazing memories.

Every bride and/or maid of honor should have a bridal emergency kit on hand just in case anything unexpected happens.  Here are some suggestions of what to include in your kit:

• Sewing kit
• Safety pins
• Scissors
• Extra pantyhose/socks
• Spot/Stain remover
• Nail clippers, file
• Tweezers
• Makeup
• Lotion
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush
• Comb
• Hairspray
• Curlers or curling iron
• Hair dryer
• Bobbypins
• Iron
• Extra backs for your earrings
• Extra Glasses
• Contact lens solution
• Eye drops
• Kleenex
• Cotton Balls
• Q-tips
• Baby wipes
• Huge Umbrella
• Lint Brush
• Shoe Polish
• Tylenol
• Antacids
• Gas Relief Pills
• Throat Lozenges/Cough Drops
• Band-Aids
• Feminine Hygiene products: pads and/or tampons
• Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Mouth Waste, Floss, Mints, Toothpicks
• Mirror
• Watch
• Snacks
• Bottled water
• Camera
• Double sided tape
• Matches/Lighter
• Super glue

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Authored By Staci Sull

Staci is the owner and photographer of A Lasting Image Photography in Olpe, KS. Her business serves the Emporia and East Central Kansas area. For more information please visit her website at www.alastingimagephoto.com.

Selecting a wedding photographer is possibly one of the most impactful decisions you can make during your wedding planning. Your wedding photos should last a lifetime and be a direct reflection of your special day. A good wedding photographer will capture the essence of your wedding and convey that emotion through the images. Here are five simple tips to follow when searching for your perfect wedding photographer.

* The Internet is Your Buddy
Most brides (and the occasional groom) know that the internet is a very valuable tool when researching vendors and looking for wedding inspiration. Directory sites like momentville.com are great for searching through a ton of resources all in the same place. This saves you time and puts great vendors right in front of you. Once you have developed a short list of photographers whose work you love based on your initial impression then you can really dig into each site individually. Many successful photographers operate blogs. Checking out a photographers blog is a great way to learn a little more about them, find some more recent work, and even peak into their personality. These days if a photographer doesn’t have a website my suggestion would be to skip them. If they aren’t using the web they are most likely extremely outdated or not serious about their profession.

* Your Cousin/Sister/Aunt/Friend
You might be tempted to skip the expensive professional wedding photographer and use your best friend who has a great camera. Please don’t make this mistake. Wedding photography requires experience to do it right. There are a hundred things that go on during a wedding that you must capture, correctly, the first time. A professional knows where to be, what to look for, and how to capture an image unobtrusively. Professional photography gear is also critical for shooting wedding. Many times off camera lighting or specialty lenses are needed that most hobbiest just don’t have.

* Chemistry
It really is all about chemistry. Make sure you take the time to interview the photographer you are considering. This is a very common and acceptable practice and if the photographer is not happy to meet with you before hand, move on. Your wedding day should be fun and relaxing, if your photographer doesn’t “click” with you it will only create stress. After booking your photographer you should feel confident that they are reliable, trustworthy, and can deliver the photos you expect.

* Product Overload
Your first encounter with a photographer might seem a little overwhelming. There are literally hundreds of available products and services for you to choose from. My advice is to select a photographer based primarily on their skills and images. Product can usually be added at any time after the wedding. Don’t choose a less talented photography simply because they offer a free print or promotional product.

* Background Check
A few questions you might want to ask your prospective photographer are:

1. Are you a full time photographer or part-time?
2. May we see a completed wedding (all images.)
3. May we have a few references to contact?
4. Are you insured and is your business registered?

These questions will give you a better idea about your photographers background and wether or not they are legitimate. If the photographer acts offended or defensive it may be a sign that they are hiding something.

Just remember, go with your instinct and the selection process should be a fun and enjoyable experience. Happy hunting!

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Authored by Phil Thornton from Nashville Wedding Photographer.

Phil Thornton is a Nashville Wedding Photographer who owns and operates Phindy Studios with his wife Mindy Thornton.