Advice

Every once in a while I will post advice on here to those of you looking for wedding photographers.  Today's market is confusing, overwhelming, and oversaturated - it is no wonder couples are stressed when planning weddings.  Photography is probably the hardest item to book because it is the most intangible - meaning, most couples know nothing about it and do not have the tools to make informed decisions.  Additionally, it is one of the few services that does not have a delivery time until AFTER the wedding day - a real risk to anyone wanting to ensure they are getting what they pay for.  And that is really what it boils down to for most couples these days - budget.  It is unfortunate that money has to be the main deciding factor in almost 80% of bookings because in the photography industry you truly get what you pay for almost 100% of the time. 

I truly understand what it's like to be on a budget - I shop at Walmart and Aldi, I clip coupons, and I try to never buy anything unless it's on sale.  However, when it comes to weddings, there should be a priority list....  and if photography is at the top of your list, then it should get a good chunk of your budget.  (If it's not at the top of your list, then ask yourself why....  the photographs are the memories of your wedding day - don't you want images that truly tell the story and are good quality?)  In today's market there are many options offered by photographers to give you the opportunity to choose packages that will fit your budget and ensure you end up with the products desired, but be careful of those deals that seem too good to be true - they probably are.  You should also be wary of photographers that do not photograph weddings full time - the weekend photographer is usually someone in this business only for the extra cash and will not have the dedication and drive to give you the best experience and product possible.  Their reputation in the industry is not as critical as those photographers who only do weddings and rely on referrals for work, plus they do not have the same level of customer service because during the week they have another full time job.  (I understand there are many serious photographers out there just starting out and need a second job to make ends meet until their business can support them - and this is not the photographer I'm talking about.  Be careful of those who have another full time job and have no intention of quitting - get referrals and request to see an extensive portfolio of work.)

Budget is a hard motivator to ignore, but if possible try not to get too caught up in what photography costs.  Booking a photographer should be about their work and their personality - if you walk away and have a WOW! on your lips, then that is probably the photographer for you.  I know it's tempting to want to get the most bang for your buck, but in reality it is about the images and having a great relationship with the person behind the camera.  These two things will be what you remember most.  If trying to decide between a photographer that offers all day coverage, an album, a DVD, portrait sessions, and parent albums vs. one that offers all day coverage, an album, and portrait sessions PLUS has the better personality and slightly better quality images - please consider the second choice.  Walking away with more products means nothing if the images are not as good and your relationship with the photographer created stress on the wedding day.

This is just advice....  but with 12 years experience in the industry, I've heard enough horror stories to fill ten books.  It's my turn to give back and try to help couples find the right photographer and give them the tools to do so....