How to Select a
Wedding Photographer
Selecting a wedding photographer can
be a daunting task. Not only does
the photographer need to be able to
produce outstanding memories of your
wedding day but also has to be able
to fit into the celebration and be
highly professional every step of
the way.
Often
couples make the mistake of basing
their decision on wedding
photography entirely on price. At
the end couples that decide on price
get what they pay for.
It is
wise to keep your budget in mind
when selecting a photographer but it
should not be an excuse no to do
your homework and evaluate the
quality and professionalism of the
photographer. Remember, you will
have to live with the consequences
of your decision.
How to
evaluate a wedding photographer?
The
style of the wedding photography is
very important. Is the photographer
a photojournalist with heavy
emphasis in documenting the wedding
without directing? Do you prefer
posed photographs with preplanned
posing and controlled lights? Most
couples these days prefer a
combination of journalistic and
traditional wedding photography.
They look for a photographer that
can capture the true emotion and
spirit of the celebration as well as
portraits that deserve to be framed.
Whatever
style you prefer the photographer
has to be a master of the craft.
Take a close look at the
photographer's portfolio. Is the
work consistent? Insist on looking
at a complete wedding. After
photographing 20 weddings, it is
easy to have 20 lucky shots. Very
few photographers have the guts to
show you a complete wedding. Only
the good ones do.
Are the
photographs a true representation of
the photographer's work? If you are
considering a studio that has
several photographers insist on
looking at the work of the
photographer that is going to
photograph your wedding.
Does the
studio or photographer offer high
quality albums and custom printing?
Nowadays it is common for some
photographers to offer to photograph
the wedding and hand you the proofs
and a CD or the negatives with the
photos and be done with you. Are you
going to be happy with a set of
proofs or would you want a fine
album with custom printed
photographs?
Has the
photographer been in business for a
considerable amount of time? Is this
his first wedding? Is he a
commercial or sports photographer
beginning wedding photography? There
is nothing wrong with starting out
in a different photography field but
you, as the client, need to know
this. Wedding photography requires
special artistic, technical, and
people skills and a wedding it is
not the place for a beginner to
learn. Somebody interested in
learning wedding photography should
perhaps accompany a seasoned pro to
weddings for some time before
venturing out on his own. Does the
photographer carry good quality
equipment and backup of camera
bodies, lenses, tripod, lights etc?
You will be surprised to learn that
many photographers go to weddings
with only one camera. God help you
if that camera breaks in the middle
of your wedding.
Personality plays a very important
role in wedding photography. Hire
the wrong photographer and you and
your guests will suffer the
consequences. Does the photographer
listen to you? Does he have a
controlling personality? Does he
abide by the rules of the church,
temple, or synagogue? Does he want
to steal the show and be the center
of attention? Does he have people
skills? Does he dress
professionally? Does he look and
smell clean?
Before
hiring your photographer please make
sure that you answer all the
questions above. As a last
precaution check with the Better
Business Bureau to see if there are
unsolved complains against your
potential photographer. Have a happy
wedding and enjoy your beautiful
photos. Please don't forget to feed
your photographer he or she will be
working hard to capture your wedding
memories.
Juan
Carlos Torres is a one of the most
respected and awarded wedding
photographers in Oregon. He has a
Masters Degree in Remote Sensing
with a strong background in digital
image processing and photography.
His wedding photographs are unique
and very artistic and have been
featured in national and
international magazines. For a
sample of his works please visit
http://www.juancarlosphoto.com
and
http://www.willamettephoto.com
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