4/04/2011

Hiring A Wedding Photographer

By Charles Murray


Hiring a wedding photographer involves many options and price points to consider. The hours required of the photographers, the settings, the numbers of people involved, the varieties of poses, and numbers of prints wanted are all factors when determining a photography package. While prices vary greatly for each photographer, it is important to research the quality of work and previous results.

Contractors such as welders or plumbers are actually quite similar to wedding photographers who do contract work. The outward costs of any wedding albums or prints might seem excessive, but the number of hours required of the photographer throughout the entire event, including planning time, need to be viewed as contributing factors for the costs of the finished products.

Just as other contract based professionals have their own equipment, whether they are the tools of the electrician or the garage of the mechanic, the photographer also has the equipment costs associated with the project. There can be a difference between having family friends bring their nice cameras to shoot photos of the wedding and the equipment a professional brings to the event. There are extra lights, multiple camera types for various situations, tripods, computers, storage devices, and more. Generally speaking, these cameras will take better pictures than the average camera of a hobbyist.

It is also important to weigh factors such as the time of year for which the wedding is planned. Summer is typically a peak season and that can mean more expensive prices than average, which is similar to vacation resorts having peak season prices.

Photographers who are successful at capturing wedding photos have often developed the abilities to gauge personalities and characteristics of his or her subjects. Family members and guests should feel comfortable with the photographer and be able to relax in his presence. Sometimes it is a good idea to ask the photographer if there is a public event at which he or she will be working where their skills and interactions can be seen, and then the pictures can also be reviewed. The engagement picture session is another good opportunity to get a glimpse of the style, organization capabilities, and skills of the photographer. If the photographer is late, appears rushed or preoccupied, or does not listen to the needs of the couple, then the relationship does not need to continue, even if the pictures are acceptable.

When it is time to develop the pictures and have them printed and framed or compiled in an album, professional wedding photographers often use professional labs. The wedding couple can request to know where the pictures will be sent for this process. During this interview process with the photographers, couples can also ask about security measures taken and how the film and prints will be protected, such as how or if duplicates are made and the storage process. Professional photographers with reputable practices will be able to answer these questions and will take measures to secure the photographs.

It is a good practice to meet with many photographers, check their work and work habits, and ask lots of questions. Some photographers will be agreeable to sell the proofs of the pictures to be developed by the wedding couple, but the quality might not be as expected or seen in examples. The wedding budget does not have to crumble under the pressure of hiring the most expensive photographer, but care does need to be taken when searching for a price that fits and also delivers amazing pictures. While it may seem easier and much less expensive to forgo professional photographers, the end results can often clearly be seen in the pictures.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment