How to Choose a Photographer!

How to choose a photographer

Photographer Check list:
____ Make sure you know what is included in your package. Some photographers may start out low but will leave you shell-shocked at the end
____ Uses professional photo finishing laboratories and bookmakers.
Sure, you can get prints made at the local drugstore or discount outlet, but the results won’t be as consistent nor the quality of paper, chemicals and inks used the same as from a professional photo lab. You may be able to order a photo book online but it won’t be equal in quality to the books produced by pros-only sources. Professional services often have a vetting process in place and will sell only to professional photographers.
____Willing to listen to your needs. Communication is extremely important.
____Fits into your budget. This is a last criterion not first. If photography is important to you do make the effort to invest in someone that’s experienced, reliable and professional. It’s important to keep in mind that a bargain is only a bargain if the quality is acceptable.
____ Style of photography that you like
____ View AT LEAST one wedding from start to finish. ALL THE IMAGES
____ How many weddings have they shot? Wedding photography is different from any other type of photography. Good wedding photography is a blend of the artistic, the technical and the psychological. They must be able to produce quality work in chaotic, fast-paced situations.
____ Do they have referrals you can contact?
____ Do they bring back up equipment to your wedding? Very important!!!
____ Are they compatible with your personality. You will be with them all day.

A few money saving ideas:

- Do consider booking shorter coverage rather than full-day coverage. Just make sure your photographer will be there during the portion of the day that’s most important

- Consider choosing a package that is coverage and files only. Photographers will be happy to sell you albums when your budget can afford it.

- Ask if your photographer offers discounts or gives a price break for off-season or mid-week wedding dates.

- Ask your photographer for a custom package quote. Tell them what you want in terms of product and coverage time and see what they come up with


Terms to become familiar with:

Style of Work: Three types
(1)Traditional:
The Traditionalist tends to be very stylized with formal posed portraits. Traditional wedding photographers have a list of traditional wedding shots. This photographer typically tends to run the show.
(2)Photojournalistic:
The Photojournalists aim is to record the events of the day as they happen. Pure photojournalism will not have ANY posed shots, but rather captures the reality of the day. If you hire a pure photojournalist, be clear on exactly what you getting. Some couples are surprised when there are no posed pictures of themselves, families or groupings.
(3)Documentry:
This is a mix of traditional portraits and photojournalistic shots. 80 percent of wedding day photography just happens, and 20 percent are the relaxed groupings or posed shots. Every photographer has a different style, some lean more toward posed or photojournalism. It is important to view your photographer’s work before committing to an agreement to see if their style is right for you
Shoot and Burn:
This means you will receive raw (unedited) files from the photographer. No adjustment. You are thinking that should be ok, not always, some photographers do a lot of work after shooting to make their work presentable.
Image Ready:
Image ready means your files have been edited by the photographer and require no work from you. They are ready to print anywhere. Although different computers are calibrated differently but for the most part they are ready to go.

What makes me an expert?
I have been a photographer for around 30 years and in business as a professional wedding photographer for 10+ years. I have seen the industry go from film to digital, and traditional to photojournalistic. Please take a look at my site www.stancrabtreephotography.com.

THE WORST ADVICE I HAVE EVER HEARD:
‘Get a Student to photograph your wedding. It will save you money!!’
There are no do overs in wedding photography. If your student messes up. That is it. There are no chances to fix it. Even when hiring a photographer, make sure they have wedding photography experience, not just photography experience.

Why would you get a non-professional to document the most important day of your life?
Do you really want to trust the once in a lifetime moments to an amateur?

Now here is some really good advice:
Make sure you can see an entire event. Anyone can get a few lucky shots. A professional is going to produce consistently good shots all day long. Be sure to look at an album or two that contains one wedding rather than a “best of” book. Similarly, ask if you can view their online proofing area to see an entire wedding or two or three. All wedding planners will advise you to look at a complete wedding or two.

It is best to ask for referrals from previous brides.