So is it really important to get to know your wedding photographer??
My answer. Well, yeah, but only if you want to make sure that you will actually love your wedding collection…
Let me digress. You’re online. You type in wedding photography or some other similar keywords, plug in a zip code, and a whole slew of wedding photographers pop up. So you start browsing through their websites and take note of what you like and you start to reach out to say hello to these photographers.
Have you asked yourself why?
Stay with me for a minute. What is it about them that drew you to their work? Because let’s be honest here…the images you are seeing on any photographer’s website or platform represents their top 1%. These are the images that ‘wowed’ them when they took it and they feel that this should be a representation of who they are.
And sounds great except that you have to wonder if this how they typically shoot and if they are consistent in their work. So here’s where I’m going with this.
Make sure you know your photographer. Like, really really know.
Ask to see at least two recent collections that they have shot. You want to make sure that they have experience and you should make sure that they are able to handle flash photography at night for your reception.
Look very closely through those collections to make sure that they are able to pose in a way you like and feel would work for you.
Ask questions! What happens if it rains?! Are they equipped to handle it? What happens if they get sick? Like deathly sick? The kind where they cannot come out to shoot your wedding?
Be thorough. Too often, I’ve heard complaints from session clients who mention that they wish they had paid better attention to the reviews of their wedding photographer, or that they had asked some of these questions. Why? Because I’ve heard horror stories of wedding photographers who have lost entire collections leaving the couple with nothing. Because I’ve heard of wedding photographers who have suddenly closed shop and left their couples high & dry. Because I’ve heard horror stories of wedding photographers who didn’t take important shots, missed important details, or their bedside manners left everyone shaking their head wondering why the couple hired him or her!
Above all, remember you pay for what you get.
If you think you’re saving money by getting a photographer for a fraction of the cost that others charge, don’t be surprised when their images are blah or subpar. Many photographers who offer ‘value’ packages, or prices that seem to good to be true often lack the experience or ability to really handle a wedding. There’s usually a good reason why he or she is cheaper than others so don’t be afraid to ask why their costs are low, and make sure you do your homework!
Summer is a wedding and portrait photographer who travels both local and worldwide to shoot weddings for all couples. When she’s not shooting, she can be found either hiking the mountains in the Adirondacks with a bit of wanderlust in her eyes, or relaxing at home in the Hudson Valley with her family.
+ Comments