Before you fork over hundreds or thousands of dollars on hiring a photographer, please be mindful that your photographs are one of the few items that will remain after the cake has been eaten, the guests have wandered away with their favors, and the DJ has packed up and gone home. In the end, you should be confident in your photographer's ability to give you images that you will be happy with and will cherish for the rest of your life.
Hiring a wedding photographer is daunting, especially given the overwhelming number of "faux-tographers" that are out on the market. I'm not one to criticize those who are first starting out and are honest with clients about their skills and limitations, but I have become increasingly frustrated by those who portray their business as a "professional" service and don't know anything about lighting. Or composition. Or their camera, for that matter.
Ultimately, a real photographer wants you to appreciate their art- that is, after all, what photography is. An art form. Many photographers make next to nothing- even when charging high prices- due to the hefty cost of top notch equipment and expensive quality products. It doesn't make them any less of an artist, so basing your decision entirely on cost is very risky. Regardless of what a photographer charges, if his or her art is lacking technically or emotionally, don't waste your money. There ARE photographers on the market with talent, technique, and passion that don't charge an arm and a leg, but many of them do lack experience and chances are, they won't be inexpensive for long if their art is up to par.
Be sure to review a photographer's past work, ask questions, and ask for references. Speaking to past clients or viewing reviews is a great way to see how others felt about that photographer's work. Theknot.com or weddingwire.com are excellent resources, also finding out the relationship to past clients and doing your research can really go a long way in making sure you are not hiring a faux-tographer.
The purpose of this blog entry is to get you really thinking about what you invest your money into, and hopefully help you from making a mistake that can't be undone. As I stated before, my only hope is that everyone has amazing wedding photographs that reflect their personalities, their wedding day, and the people with whom they shared their day. Please be well-informed to avoid any disappointment after the wedding! Best of luck to all the brides and grooms out there ready to begin their search!
Hiring a wedding photographer is daunting, especially given the overwhelming number of "faux-tographers" that are out on the market. I'm not one to criticize those who are first starting out and are honest with clients about their skills and limitations, but I have become increasingly frustrated by those who portray their business as a "professional" service and don't know anything about lighting. Or composition. Or their camera, for that matter.
Ultimately, a real photographer wants you to appreciate their art- that is, after all, what photography is. An art form. Many photographers make next to nothing- even when charging high prices- due to the hefty cost of top notch equipment and expensive quality products. It doesn't make them any less of an artist, so basing your decision entirely on cost is very risky. Regardless of what a photographer charges, if his or her art is lacking technically or emotionally, don't waste your money. There ARE photographers on the market with talent, technique, and passion that don't charge an arm and a leg, but many of them do lack experience and chances are, they won't be inexpensive for long if their art is up to par.
Be sure to review a photographer's past work, ask questions, and ask for references. Speaking to past clients or viewing reviews is a great way to see how others felt about that photographer's work. Theknot.com or weddingwire.com are excellent resources, also finding out the relationship to past clients and doing your research can really go a long way in making sure you are not hiring a faux-tographer.
The purpose of this blog entry is to get you really thinking about what you invest your money into, and hopefully help you from making a mistake that can't be undone. As I stated before, my only hope is that everyone has amazing wedding photographs that reflect their personalities, their wedding day, and the people with whom they shared their day. Please be well-informed to avoid any disappointment after the wedding! Best of luck to all the brides and grooms out there ready to begin their search!
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