Why Should I Hire A Professional Photographer?

There are good arguments both for and against hiring a professional photographer, but ultimately your decision should rest on the answer to one question: How important is your wedding photography to you? A professional photographer brings training, skill, and experience to your event. Not just experience in taking pictures, either, but experience in posing large groups of people quickly and efficiently; experience in dealing with widely varying family groupings to include divorced and separated families; experience in photographing many different situations. He will have professional quality equipment and backup equipment to guarantee against failure. Most importantly, the photographer is not a guest; he is hired to do a job. He will not miss pictures because he is dancing, eating, drinking, etc. If photography is a priority for you and the outcome of your pictures is important, then a professional photographer is a must. If you are not as concerned with the photographs and the possibility of missed images or no pictures altogether won't ruin a friendship, then you can probably rely on a friend or family member for snapshots of the day.

How Early Should I Book My Photographer Now That I've Made A Decision?

As soon as possible. Once you have chosen and confirmed your wedding and reception site, you should begin looking for a photographer. Many photographers are booked 6 months to a year in advance. Really good ones can be booked up to 2 years in advance. When you find one you like be prepared to put down money - at least ½ the package price right now. Most photographers will not consider the date confirmed until they have some kind of financial guarantee.

How Much Should I Pay for Wedding Photography?

Couples have applied anywhere from 7% to 20% of their total budget to the photography. This is very much a subjective question, however. The bottom line is that you need to determine how important the photography is to you. In most places minimum coverage begins at $500.00 and goes up from there. Style will influence this, too. For example, choosing a photojournalistic style of coverage will cost more because a of the larger number of photographs taken you should expect to pay $1500.00 and up to get nice wedding coverage with an album.

Why Is Wedding Photography So Expensive?

There is a large misconception out there that wedding vendors in general, and photographers in particular are out there charging exorbitant prices and raking in money off of weddings by playing to the emotionalism of the couples involved. Understandably, folks who have never hired a professional photographer (Sears doesn't count here) to work on location are shell shocked by their first exposure to the prices. They have a hard time reconciling Wal-Marts "150 photographs for $12.95" special with a custom wedding photographer's rates.

From the photographers perspective, an average package consisting of 6 hours of photography, and a couples album. In addition, the photographer has to make enough over and above the cost of each wedding to pay for her equipment or equipment maintenance, her advertising, her studio cost (if she has one), her telephone, etc. Now you have to consider what kind of profit do you think a photographer should earn. Keep in mind that the photographer has put in not only the 6 hours of photography time on your wedding, but between meetings, prep time, labeling film and negatives, arranging and packaging your albums, and delivery, he's probably worked 30 or more hours.

A final item to keep in mind is that, unlike a florist or a baker, a photographer is limited in the number of weddings he or she can do. While the florist can do 10 weddings a week, the photographer can do only one or two, depending on the length of the ceremony and reception.

What is this expertise and time worth to you? Hopefully enough to at least allow your photographer to pay his or her bills!

Do you shoot color as well as black and white?

During our wedding consultation, we can discuss your specific needs. I have shot weddings completely in black and white but parents usually prefer a little color. Approximately 30-40% of the coverage is black and white with the formals, ceremony and details shot in color. For example, a wedding of 400 images would usually have between 300 images in color. Whatever you are looking for, primarily color coverage with just some black and white, or vise versa I would be happy to shot whatever will suite your needs.

How many pictures do you typically shoot at a wedding?

All weddings are different and since I offer unlimited time and unlimited film it is difficult to place an exact number on the quantity of images taken. I generally average between 70-100 images an hour depending on the size of the wedding, number of locations, and length of the wedding reception. As a rough estimate, the minimum number is approx 200-300 but it is usually many more!

Can I give you a list of photos I want taken?

I will be happy to work with you on developing a list and schedule for the FORMAL photos of your special day, and photograph the day's unfolding events and emotions with minimal interference and maximum observation! But know that if I am trying to follow a three page list of "must-haves", or set up shots to ensure a photo on a list, I cannot capture the special candid moments that are happening all around on your wedding day. I also do not include table shots in my coverage and recommend disposable cameras for those types of images.

What about your equipment?

I use professional quality 35mm equipment; this lets me focus on the image rather than the mechanics. I also carry at least one backup to every camera, flash, cord, battery and lens.

Can you hold my date for me?

Unfortunately, in fairness to all clients, I cannot hold dates without the commitment of 1/3 of the coverage fee as a retainer and a signed contract.

Do you use flash?

I shoot special film and lenses that allows without a lot of flash, and when it is used, it is certainly never overpowers the moment or ruins the intimate mood of your wedding.