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| Craig and Lori McMeeken |
Over the years I am finding brides are overwhelmed when it comes to preserving the special moments of their wedding. So I thought I would give out some advice to all of you who maybe looking for the perfect wedding photographer that will fit your wedding budget.
Step One: Deiced what you want for your wedding photography. For example a deal breaker is getting all the images on a disk, or that the pictures are fully edited and they do wedding albums. Answer the following questions to help decide what it is you want when it comes to wedding photography.
Do you want the rehearsal photographed?
Do you want the pre-wedding getting dressed photographed?
Do you want the whole wedding reception photographed?
Do you want formals?
Do you want engagement pictures?
Dose the bride want personal picture for the groom of getting ready?
How many hours of photography are you looking to have covered from start to finish?
Do you want detail of the decorations and the wedding rings?
What kind of finished products do you want?
Do you want a wedding album or do you want to make your own?
What do you plan on do with your wedding photos?
How many can/will you display and in what sizes?
Who’s all getting the wedding pictures?
Do you want to use any of the wedding pictures in your “thank you”?
Step Two: Decide your photography budget. What can you afford? What are you willing to invest in memories you will have forever? Who is paying for the photographer? Who all is getting prints/ Albums/ CD’s and are they paying for their own copy? On the low end getting the minimum is about $800 to $1000 for a decent photographer, $500 for an amateur, but there is a larger unknown out come. For most wedding packages you are looking between $2500 and $5000 depending on what you want.
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| Morgan and Eric Gould |
Step Three: Ask everyone you know who’s been married who their photographer was and what they thought of their photographer. Look at their wedding albums and if you like what you see get the photographer’s name and number. Call and make an appointment with the photographer. This appointment is to look at their portfolio, find out what they can do and how much they will charge for what you want. Do not make an appointment or sign any contracts at this point! Make sure you take good notes and right what you feel and your over all reaction to the photographer and their work.
Step Four: Go to the Internet and research wedding photographers. Look at all their websites and make a list and set-up meetings with the ones you like look at their portfolio, find out what they can do and how much they will charge for what you want. Do not make an appointment or sign any contracts at this point! Make sure you take good notes and right what you feel and your over all reaction to the photographer and their work.
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| Morgan & Eric Gould |
Step Five: Here is the creative part. After you have looked at all your known wedding photographers and are very educated on what you want, like, and what is offered and at what cost, go to your local colleges and ask if they have a photo club and classes. If they do go to the professors and see if there would be any students interested in photographing a wedding. You will be amazed at how many talented and experienced photographers are students. Talk to them and look at their work. If you like what they are doing and if a couple of them can photograph, edit and produce your wedding pictures for less than the wedding photographers. Also check out other types of photographers, sport photographers are grate at taking reception photos.
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| Callie & Bob Wallenga |
Step Six: Decision making time. Take all your notes and your budget and find the photographer you have the most chemistry with. The photographer walks through every step of your wedding day with you and captures the heart of your moment. You need to be comfortable and confident in your photographer.
Step Seven: Call and schedule your photographer for the wedding. They will have you sign a photo contract. It will say you will owe them money even if you end up canceling, and this is normal for all photographers. Make sure the contract holds the photographer responsible for photographing the wedding even if they cannot photograph it for whatever reason.
Do not get discouraged you will find a photographer who will match your needs and budget, you just got to keep looking. Good luck and congratulations on the wedding and engagement.
