How Do You Choose A Wedding Photographer?

It has been my experience that the most important decision that you, the bride, will make about your Special Day (after "Do I Do?!") is going to be who records the blessed event...your choice of videographer and/or photographer. Out of EVERYBODY who will contribute to your wedding; whoever presides over the event, coordinator/event planner, caterer, cake maker, rental establishment, musicians/DJ, wedding/reception venue, limo service, only TWO encompass all...video and photographs.

I can hear them now, so let's take care of one argument that surly will come up.

I love my event planners but even the best event planners work is not brought up for more than a few seconds when talk of the wedding go on 10 to 15 years down the line. That video will come out every once in a while (so we're going to focus the rest of this article on my profession...the photographer) but that wedding album will come out once or twice a year for years to come! Now, a good event planner (worth more than their weight in gold!) will have a selection of videographers and photographers to choose from. There are reasons for this and they are the same for the planner as they are for that intrepid bride who puts everything together herself.

Style and Likability.

There are certain questions that you can ask to make sure that you are getting a photographer with quality. Pay close attention to how the questions are received and answered. A few of these questions may look familiar to you if you've been reading any of the bridal 'how-to' magazines, but we are going to break them down a little more than some of those publications have in the past...:

1) Do you work alone or do you have an assistant? A second photographer?

* The more coverage the better, right? More eyes catch more things...just remember that more photographers means more $$$. This is a question for your pocketbook more than anything else. You will want them to at least have an assistant. It is tough enough to shoot a wedding but you can double the stress (as the photographer) trying to keep up with equipment, film/memory cards, light modifiers, lenses, family members, poses, and everything else involved with shooting a major event. Two heads are better than one! If they don't have an assistant that shouldn't disqualify them but those references become even more important...!

2) Are the photographs (samples) that your showing me your work?

* If they aren't a red flag should go up UNLESS they are shooting with another photographer. Then it's all good. You should be seeing the work of anyone who will be shooting for you.

3) What is the turn around time after the ceremony? Is there a process or procedure involved?

* I know that at my studio the turn around can be as quick as 14 to 21 business days depending on how fast the customer is in choosing and verifying the order. It usually takes me around three business days to sort, process, create the online gallery and post the images. Our third party printer gets my work back to me inside of four business days (faster if I next day air the order). You add that up and your looking at seven business days. The rest of that is a reasonable amount of time for the customer to choose the images, let me know the choices, then verify the finished images (a day or so after they submit their choices). Does it always work this way? In four years it has gone that smoothly once. Usually, the new couple is not rushed about their imagery, but if it takes too long...
The true average turnaround is closer to four to six weeks. I shoot so many images that it can take quite a while for the choices to be made.
The real answer that your looking for here is...do they have an answer? I mean a real one?? Can they give you a true breakdown on how long each step of the process usually takes? Do they have a normal procedure for post wedding processing? If they give you a shaky answer that could be an indication of their level of organization or their experience level.

4) Do you have at least 3 references for past work?

* Unless fresh out of the box, they had better! Any photog who has been working even half a year will have three none family/friends references for their work. If they are new to wedding photography you should know that going into the meeting. It will make a difference but if you feel comfortable with them and want to give them a chance then go for it...after meeting with two to three other more experienced photographers! Remember, there are very few "do-overs" on your Special Day! If they claim to have been working the business for more than 12 months and can't give you three wedding references than something is wrong!!!!!! When I'm asked I like to email the contact info after contacting my past brides and making sure that they aren't caught off guard when they get the call. I also like to rotate my references (how would you like to get a call every few weeks about the photographer who shot your wedding last year?! Wouldn't you get tired of that...? Real fast!

5) Do you have samples of your work?

* They should have something of their past work on hand. That's especially true if they are meeting you in their studio. I have what is called a "floating" studio. In short I don't have a physical studio space so I meet the customer in their home or at a local meeting place. I like to use my I-Pod Touch, sample printing papers, and a sample wedding album. This setup is lightweight, compact and doesn't make the potential customer feel like I'm trying to sell them everything that I offer. They get a feel for what I can do for them and know that I'm backed by a printing company that doesn't have "HP" or "Epson" anywhere in the name (My third party printing company is H&H Color Labs).

6) Do you use a third party printer or are you doing it in your studio?

* Normally only the mid-size to large photo studios can print respectable on-site work. The printers are just too large to have in a normal home office. Is it possible? Yes. Is it likely? ...well...If they are printing from home ask them about the papers being used. How durable is the print. Is it water resistant? Or do I have to be carefull speaking around the print (because of saliva)? Are they coating the images to protect them? Just a nugget between you and me...as a photographer it ALWAYS costs more to print at home than it does with a third party printing company. They can buy in bulk (large sheets or rolls of paper, large vats or jugs of ink), reducing overall production cost. Quality paper alone is almost double for the small print job vs a printing house handling several jobs at a time.

7) What will you wear to the ceremony?

* A trend has occurred in the industry where the photographer is in all black. Black pullover, slacks, comfortable shoes and no accessories (like flashy rings and watches). Sometimes a black blazer is worn as well (fall and winter).However, there is still a group who wear tuxedos or business suits. Why the shift? To the best of my knowledge it has to do with noticeability and comfort. A pull over without a collar is always more comfortable than a button down shirt and tie, especially when you have to lug around equipment (sometimes using straps that go around your neck or over your shoulder) bunching up your tie and or your collar. Your photographer will still stand out because of the gear that he's using but there is less of a danger of out dressing everyone at the ceremony (tailor made tuxedo/suit vs one time rentals! you do the math!)! Look nice and blend...

8) Do you have a web site with samples from previous weddings you've shot that I can look thru?

* They had better have a site! The web is a VISUAL medium. Photography is what? A VISUAL MEDIUM!! If they don't have a site for you to look their work over at your leisure, raise an eyebrow! That being said, we photographers are NOT the best businessmen/women on the planet! Some of us still haven't caught on to the web and what it can do for us.

9) How many years have you been shooting weddings?

* I could be wrong but it would be more important to me how long as opposed to how many. Most of the hacks will get in and get out (man, this is hard work!). While some of the bad ones WILL have staying power, you will be able to look at their work and identify them and they will have a hard time putting together any quality references. The real experience though will show in those who year after year grow their business from two or three weddings year one to ten to fifteen year three or four (depending on several things, not the least of which is do they have a full time job to go along with their photography business). It doesn't take but a few weddings under a photographers belt to be able to anticipate the flow of events for weddings in general. After just four years I could probably coordinate a wedding while shooting it! How do I know? I don't know, maybe because I've essentially done it?
Look at the samples that they have. Are the images clear and sharp (good)? Do they show an active imagination (good)? Is there a lot of post processing: a lot of vignette (lots of black faded borders), more black and white than color, lots of grunge bordering (usually good but not if they outnumber the regular color imagery). If they have a lot of flashy stuff ask to see a wedding photo shoot from beginning to end. You may find value in seeing the wedding thru their lenses as they shot it...without the specter of photoshop standing between you and the real image. With that said I have to admit that I have the confidence to take a (to me at the time) terrible wedding photo shoot and turn it into something pretty good in post processing. And that brings us full circle! If the photographer (and his/her equipment) is any good and they have any kind of photographic eye they should be able to do an adequate job of capturing the moment. I know of a photographer who charges three times what my studio charges and I feel (as well as those who have seen my work compared to theirs) that my work is just as good (ok...better!) than theirs. So what is the determining factor for one couple vs another? Is it money? Reputation? Or could it be something else? Most of the time it will be...

Style and Likability.

For some couples it's all about the dollar bill. 'You get what you pay for' OR '...we can't pay a lot sooooo...'. I have found that either thought process clouds the issue and the couple ends up unhappy. Remember, if the photographer is competent than they should be able to deliver a certain level of competence in their work.
Make no mistake, quality of work is important. However, ask yourself, if you can't get along with the photographer (or the event planner for that matter) what good are they to you? You'll be frustrated the entire day (YOUR DAY!) fighting with him/her and probably well meaning members of the family as well! Trust me, that frustration will show up all over your images! Think forward 10 years when, on your anniversary, you pull out your wedding album and look at your face...what will you see? Happiness and relief that the day has come and is actually happening? Or will you see hints of frustration on your face?!
What do you want to see?
The BEST advice that ANYONE can give you, the newly minted bride...Get an Event Planner (!!!!!!!!) and a good Photographer. When you get them make sure that you LIKE them!! The two most involved people in the wedding festivities (besides you and your husband to be) are the planner (if you have one) and the photographer. Both of them will be intimately involved in how things happen and when. They will direct your guests and the other service providers. Good ones will give you advice on how to do things better (usually only when you ask...) and you will see them talking to each other constantly, collaborating, trying to make things run as smoothly as possible!
If what I'm telling you is true, imagine your not really liking one of them (or both!!). Imagine them not liking each other! When you meet with your service providers make sure that you can work with them. Remember, your giving them your money! Pay attention to if they remember this little fact.

Happy Hunting!

Check out part II of this article