How Much Are Your Wedding Pictures Worth?

 

I have had so many requests for reprints of this letter that I used to send out to prospective clients, I've decided to republish it here in my web site. Hopefully, some of you might be able to use some part, or all of it, to reprint and send out to your own prospective clients. It sort of sets the people up for shopping for the right photographer ... one who will meet their individual needs.

Selecting the correct photographer for your individual needs should be one of the most important decisions in the preparation of your wedding. There are many considerations to be dealt with, in addition to the cost.
Of course, one needs to work with a budget. So, let's start out by saying that it's difficult to pay too much for something you really like. Yet, the initial price is usually the one obstacle that prevents many couples from selecting the photographer who undoubtedly could give them the best value for their money.
Quite often the difference between the price of the photographer you really like and one who you feel is "within the budget" is miscalculated. Understandably, of course! When wedding plans come down to dollars and cents, it's hard to keep spending "a little more here ... and a little more there." Somewhere along the line, you may feel, you have to give a little. There's only so much money available.
One can and should expect to get an estimate for the cost of wedding pictures on the telephone. At the same time, you should not expect to be given details about sizes and numbers, before sitting down with the photographer face to face.
So, then, how much money should pictures cost? Prices can be as different as the time, talent and technique of the photographers being considered. Certainly, among competent professional photographers in highly competitive areas, or among photographers in their formative years, you can expect to begin at around a thousand dollars. Spending less than that could be a high-risk gamble ... and not worth the "savings."
Other photographers may begin somewhere around a thousand dollars and go upward from there. A true specialist, one who has a reputation for consistently delivering the best, might begin at two or three times that amount and go upwards to five thousand and more ... and may be your best investment!
When considering the cost of a photographer, you really want to know the "final" price, more than the "asking" price. It may be good to ask the photographer's opinion as to how much do you think that it would cost you in order to get a complete coverage that would please you and, at the same time, make it worthwhile for the photographer to put forth a total effort.
There other serious considerations when selecting a wedding photographer. Your primary focus should be on the photographer's ability and/or desire to be flexible. In particular:
Does the photographer have a philosophy and "game plan" for what s/he would like to accomplish on your wedding day?
Can the photographer adapt his/her approach to include well-executed formal portraiture (as much or as little as your prefer) that doesn't appear to be stiff and/or unnatural?
Is the photographer willing to also include candid and photojournalistic images as a part of the wedding coverage?
If you are interested in black and white or hand-colored images, is the photographer qualified and willing to provide these services? You might ask the photographer the difference between exposing for high quality black and white images and color. If the photographer doesn't know, I'd look further.
Without causing stress, will the photographer be able to work sufficiently well enough within the parameters set up by you and the photographer or bridal coordinator as to when the photographs will be taken? Does the photographer have suggestions as to how the timing can best be planned?
Can the photographer be creative, even when the bride and groom don't want to be photographed together until after the ceremony?
Does the photographer have any knowledge of facial analysis, so that s/he can create the most flattering pictures of each subject?
Does the photographer retouch any of the close-up photographs? To what extent?
Is the photographer willing to stay at the wedding as long as necessary to complete the wedding day coverage? (Be sure to plan on feeding the photographer and assistants.)
Will the photographer be limiting the number of pictures that will be taken, depending on the coverage you select? Ask for SPECIFICS on this question!
What is the photographer's policy for change of dates and/or unforeseen cancellations?
What is the photographer's policy for the selection of the finished photographs?
Is the photographer willing to provide references (with phone numbers) from satisfied clients?
If after meeting with your photographer, you feel that this would be a sound investment in your future happiness with the photographic memories of your wedding day, you should expect to make a commitment. At this time, you should also ask to have all the details on the method of payment, while expecting to leave a deposit to hold the date for you.
Once a competent photographer's service is secured for your wedding date, rest assured that this is undoubtedly one of the best and most intelligent decisions that you could make in the planning of your wedding.
Remember, you're going to be concerned with the price only one time ... when you make the decision to hire that photographer. BUT, you're going to be concerned with the quality of the photographs for the rest of your life!

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