In that instance, you might consider contacting
a local photographer and asking them if they
do "destination weddings."
If time is on your side, then you should meet
with all your prospective photographers.
I cannot emphasize enough how important this
is because the best photographer in the world
with the worst attitude no matter how good
a price, is a sure guarantee for a super stressful
wedding day for everyone.
The interview is important to both sides because
it allows both sides to gauge how they will
get along.
That's why a contract that spells out the
details will prevent any misunderstanding.
So don't base your decision on a hiring a
photographer on a price quote over the phone
. Your initial phone call should just be to
see if they are available on your wedding date.
Once you've established that, you should keep
an open mind and meet them.Most don't charge
for that consultation so you have nothing to
lose.
If you can't make the appointment, at least
call the photographer to reschedule or tell
them you changed your mind about meeting them.
They are after all extending you the courtesy
of a free consultation.
By looking at the bride's pictures at the
end of the evening, you should be able to see
if she was a "trooper" or a "bride-zilla."
It shouldn't matter if the wedding was at
the Edwards Mansion, the Mission Inn or someone's
backyard.
So there is no question your search should
start online but you should be aware that the
pictures on most photographer's website are
not necessarily a good representation of their
true abilities.
What you'll be seeing are their best images
taken over mulitple weddings and over the length
of time they've been in business. Keep in mind,
that your needs are different, you're hiring
them to document your all-important day from "start to
finish."
So it is a good idea to ask to see pictures
from several different weddings. from start
to finish or as a "whole."
What you are looking for is consistency in
the imagery. Don't confuse consistency with
repetition. There should be consistency in
how the photographer handles the light.
Are the images well exposed? Is there a lot
of variety in their shots i.e. does it look
like they moved around using different angles,
lenses and shooting from different locations?
The skillful photographers and truly professional
ones do all this. Some even set up lights of
their own when the lighting conditions are
bad. Examine the pictures of the brides. Are
they all pretty, slim and slender?
This is important because it is far easier
for a photographer to make good pictures of
great-looking people than ones who aren't so
photogenic.
Similarly, it is easier for a photographer
to make good pictures at a scenic place like
the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel or the Mission
Inn in Riverside than the local park or the
Elks Lodge or just someone's backyard.
Good wedding photography tells a story of
how that day went for the bride and groom.
By looking at the bride's pictures at the
end of the evening you should be able to see
if she was a "trooper" or a "bride-zilla."
It shouldn't matter if the wedding was at
the Edwards Mansion, the Mission Inn or someone's
backyard.
The truly skillful photographer makes the
most of the settings and makes the wedding
couple look their best.
Also, the observant and creative wedding photographer
recognizes little details like place settings,
party favors and center pieces which you have
painstakingly chosen.
If they have an appreciation for style, they
will definitely include those pictures as backdrops
or backgrounds for your photo albums or DVD
menus.
Most photographers offer slideshows with music
either on CDs or DVDs. It might be a good idea
to borrow one or two of these to view at home
instead of during the interview.
Just be a good sport and return those when
you're done. DVD samples are expensive to produce.
On that subject, ask if they author those DVDs
themselves or they outsource those.
Naturally the photographer who does their
own is more skillful and probably cares more
about their work than one who outsources that
work.
Besides, how can someone else who wasn't at
the wedding do as good a job?And for all these
reasons, in terms of cost, it is probably a
good idea for brides-to-be to realize that
after the cost of food, drinks and the banquet
hall, the photographers fee should be next
highest on the list.
When you consider all the vendors working
on your big day, who will be there the longest?
Does the photographer get to kick back and
relax while everyone is having a good time?
He/she is charged with the responsibility
of capturing and documenting the day. If you
asked for their presence when you were getting
ready, they will be there when your bridesmaid
and you are dressing up.
In between they have to sneak in some pictures
of your groom as well, not to mention the bantering
before that stroll down the aisle for both
of you as single people hopefully one last
time.
And afterwards when the party is over, the
photographer's work is only beginning. Hundreds
of pictures have to be edited and fixed for
various flaws in post production. Portraits
have to be re-touched, albums have to be designed,
DVD slideshows have to be created and enlargements
have to be ordered. The list goes on.
The post production can take as much as 20
hours or more depending on how elaborate a
package a bride wants.
So remember the next time you get a quote
from a wedding photographer and you think it
is very high, consider what you're paying for.
Unlike the other vendors you hire for the
day, the caterers, disc jockeys, florists and
wedding planners, the wedding photographer
is not done at the end of the evening.
In fact, depending on how many exposures they
made at the wedding, their post production
work can take as much as 30 hours or more.
Depending on their particular clients' needs,
they may have to fix blemishes on images in
photoshop, convert images to black and white
, design albums or author slideshows with music.
They will probably have to meet with you, the
client, to finalize layouts for albums and
send your print orders out and deliver them
when ready.
All in all, these hours need to be accounted
for and included in their quote so that they
can be profitable and remain in business.
In the end, like most things in life, the
calibre of photographer you end up with depends
on what you're willing to pay. Just remember
that the food and music is for your friends
and family, but the pictures are for you. After
all, that's what you'll be looking at years
after when you reminisce...
