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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 cost.
Of course, one needs to work with a budget.
So, lets start out by saying that it's difficult to pay to 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 is 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 photographer being considered. Certainly, among competent professional
photographer 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 a total effort
There are 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 he/she 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 you
prefer) that doesn't appear to be stiff and/or unnatural?
Is the photographer willing to also include
candid and photojournalistic images as 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 suggestion as to
the timing can be planned?
Can the photographer be creative, even
when the bride and groom do not want to be photographed together until
after the ceremony?
Does the photographer have any knowledge
of facial analysis, so that he/she 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 questions!
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?
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