- Stop price shopping and start “PHOTOGRAPHER SHOPPING”
- Create a list of “must haves” for your photographers’ style and portfolio ideals. Mine looks something like this.
- OCF Usage for sunset images…
- Must meet my artistic and technical qualifications.
- Can execute flare.
- A vast array of storytelling images in portfolio.
- FINE ART FORMALS (no line em up and shoot)
- Artsy Farsty creation of the details…
- NO USE OF FILL FLASH (icky… icky)
- EXCELLENT at capturing MOMENTS
- Has a portfolio of REAL Weddings to share
- Images are moving
- and it goes on and on and on…
- Make a list of photographers that meet your criterion (regardless of area — go international if you want) that you would LOVE to have photograph your wedding.
- Prioritize this list…with the photographer you want the MOST as number 1, and list them in descending order on down.
- Go through your list of wedding photographers and inquire of yourself and your wedding budget… can I afford this? Is there anything I am willing to give up to make this happen?
- Work on your List… get it to your “top five!”
- Inquire of these wedding photographers to discern whether they have your wedding date available… if not… are you willing to concede your “date” for an alternative date your photographer is available?
- After looking at each of the photographers that have your date available… make a list of the things you LOVE about their imagery. i.e. artistic style… story telling images, etc.
- Make another list… using and excel spreadsheet or something of the sort and list each wedding photographer across the top, put your LOVES underneath each name.
- Create some space in your worksheet, and then based upon your research make a list of the ideals you MUST HAVE from your wedding photographer. Mine looks like this:
- atleast 10 hours of wedding day coverage (or six-eight hours of coverage with a “day after session”)
- two photographers
- a fine art album with 20+ spreads
- an e-sessi0n
- an e-album
- a signature matte image/album
- royalty free rights to all finished images
- and it continues…
- Then list the cost of the package each photographer created for you in each of these arena and/or beyond.
- How does this compare with the perceived quality of each photographer… ?
- How does the cost of each photographers package fit within your budget?.
- Do you like your photographers’ personality?
- WHO is their “second photographer”?
- etc.
- Has this process eliminated any of the photographers on your list?
- Start working with what is left… and go back to your list of creative ideals and must haves… compare and compare again…
- Get that contract signed and your photographer locked down… the great ones go fast.
Congratulations, again on your engagement…
If you are interested in Christina and her team photographing your wedding, please use the contact form below!
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by Christina
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