A very good friend of mine Colin Charles (who is an amazing photographer himself in Hedge End) has written one of the best articles I’ve seen in recent years about why you should hire a professional to shoot your wedding photographs. Have a read.
This is essential reading before deciding on a photographer
You will put a lot of time, effort and thought into planning this wonderful day!
Here are a few of the decisions you will have to make for your perfect day…
Your wedding venue probably your most expensive decision, prices can vary enormously so let’s be conservative £7,000 +
Then there’s The Dress no scrimping here, on average around £1,000 upward. How about the bridesmaid dresses £500 (depends how many obviously). Mustn’t forget the Groom, Bestman & Ushers suits maybe £400
What about flowers say £500 (some brides bouquets cost that on there own!). Throw in a couple of wedding cars £700.
Wow this is going to be a fabulous wedding
Hang on we have forgotten the cake, this masterpiece could set you back £400 + What about those chair covers you just can’t do without £500
Are you having a band or a DJ? Let’s keep it reasonable have a DJ £250
So there we have it, the basic ingredients for the wedding of the year. Just think how much time and preparation you will have put into getting all of the above ingredients for your perfect wedding, all the hours trawling the Internet for the perfect favours for you guests, all of the trips to bridal shows, dress shops, florists, meetings with your venue, food tastings so your guests have a wonderful meal and the wine tasting for the perfect wine to compliment the meal and on and on…
We haven’t yet mentioned the photographer that’s because you could still have the most amazing, romantic and joyous day without a photographer. A good wedding photographer does help make the day flow nicely but so would a master of ceremonies. This maybe why some couples decide to cut back when it comes to the photographs because it won’t necessarily affect the big day!
Now zoom forward you have had the wedding of the year and a fabulous honeymoon somewhere exotic, you arrive home excited to see your wedding photographs that you let your uncle take because he has a nice camera but, did he know the etiquette in the church for the best pictures, could he cope with the low light levels and change in colour balance inside the church. Does he know what to do on a very bright sunny day to get amazing pictures or worse can he cope if it rains? This can be challenging for a professional… Would he be able to get everything done in a timely manor so as to not delay the wedding breakfast? Will he have a spare camera (of the same quality as the main camera) spare lenses, spare flashguns, backup memory cards etc. Does he know how to pose the two of you to make you look natural? Will he know how to get the best out of every image using the latest computer software? The list goes on and on plus, if you are unhappy with the pictures who is there to complain too (he’s you uncle he did his best)?
I can hear you saying we wouldn’t do that we found a guy with a nice website that will do everything and give us the images on a cd for £500. After all of the blood, sweat and tears arranging the wedding of the year are you really going to book a
mechanic or a carpenter or maybe an electrician to photograph you beautiful wedding because at those prices that’s what you are going to get someone that has a job but does a spot of photography on the side to boost his income. Any photographer worthy of taking YOUR wedding photographs wouldn’t be able to stay in business if they charged these prices let alone keep up to date with the latest equipment, computers and software plus would they have the time or inclination to put in the hours constantly improving their craft!
A truly professional wedding photographer will be evolving with the latest trends and fashions to keep ahead of the game and to always be striving to exceed their client’s expectations because they know that unless they are at the top of their game they will not get the referrals required to keep them in business.
Whilst I accept that some part timers are very good are you willing to take that chance on one of the most precious day of your life!
Just a couple more things to say then I will shut up because you must be getting fed up with me if you have managed to get this far, but I truly believe that what I am saying here could save you a lot of heartache later on…
When you meet your potential photographer here are a few things to check out before you book…
Look at several weddings all the way through anyone can take a couple of good shots at a wedding.
Check that the pictures you are looking at are really taken by the photographer that will take your pictures; some photographers book several weddings then hire in part timers to cover them!
Does he/she have full insurance including professional indemnity insurance? What about cover should they be ill, this can obviously happen to anyone? Would they mind if you contacted any of there past clients for testimonials?
Ask for a free engagement shoot before you book, this is a good way to get to know your photographer and to see the way they work and importantly to see if you could put up with them all day because they will be with you throughout your wedding day so you really do need to get on…
And finally, thank you for reading this, I hope it has informed you and helped you make the right decision regarding your wedding photographs because your album will be the one thing that lives on for generations to come, long after the price is forgotten, unlike the cake that was eaten, the flowers that looked gorgeous on the day but are now gone, your beautiful wedding gown that is folded and put away in the loft, so don’t take any chances with your precious memories…