Why experience shows that you should do your homework before you choose a wedding photographer...

I'd like to preface this post by saying I encourage this even with my own potential clients, and I am truly just trying to give you the tools to make wise decisions when planning for your wedding...

I can't begin to tell you the stories I have read and the things I have done to help people out when it comes to having chosen an amateur photographer or friend instead of a professional. I have seen forum posts of women who were in tears over the fact that their pictures did not turn out, because you can never recreate your wedding again.


The pictures were blurry or dark or they missed a special moment.

I have been sent copies of pictures to fix (that somebody had a friend take at their wedding), because they loved how they looked but their husbands head was cut off!

I'm not saying that photographers new to the business don't deserve an equal opportunity and fair consideration. We ALL have to start somewhere. My point is that doing your research is KEY to getting the end result that you want. Don't commit to a photographer with a glimmering low price before you've asked for referrals or testimonials, seen a comprehensive portfolio (which can be families, other live events, seniors, etc. if you're their first wedding), read through their contract, and met with them. Find out what you will get in return for this money as far as time and product. Find out if there are extra fees for more time or extra sessions. Ask your friends and family if they have ever used them or heard of them before.

The same actually works the other way, too. Don't see a really high priced photographer and assume that because they charge that much they will be the right fit. You need to mesh well with your photographer, because they will not only be following you around all day, but they are capturing a once in a lifetime event.

You can usually find a slew of qualified and friendly photographers in the $1000-$3000 price range. Sometimes people offer special deals outside of this, and that doesn't make them bad, just be 100% sure your wedding photos will be perfectly the way you want them. As I have seen many photographers point out, your photos are the only thing you will show your grandchildren from your wedding down the line, so this is one of the pieces to splurge on a little bit.

On a final note, don't be afraid of hiring travelling photographers. Often times these people are more about the photography than the money and will help you find cheap travel if they charge for it at all. Some of us will even offer deals or prices that are significantly less than your local option. For example, every year I offer 3 couples 50% off for first come first serve bookings. Even with the cost of a cheap plane ticket, I was told by a few people that I would be $4000 cheaper than one of the local places they were considering. It's better that you get a right fit than just somebody convenient at the time.

"There's no one 'style' that is right for everyone, no one pose that fits a situation every time. That's where timing, instinct, consistency and the understanding that every part of a photograph has a reason to exist come into play. Clarity and understanding separate the wedding photographer from the snapshooter and are why couples still hire professionals to photograph their weddings. Modern cameras available to anyone with the right budget can make photography a much easier task than it was in the past. The wedding photographer's eye, instincts and attention to detail make the difference."  ~ George Schaub