Tips for brides when hiring a Wedding Photographer

Important tips for brides-to-be when hiring a Wedding Photographer or any other vendor for the big day.

Another wedding season is coming and some very interesting stories start to call our attention. I recently read an article on a magazine about problems with wedding vendors. In this case it was about wedding photography and wedding video. The article headline was: “1000 complaints against wedding photo and video professionals”.

The article mentioned a couple who hired a studio to cover their wedding and received a terrible material in the end. The video had blurred scenes, the cameraman filmed the ground, the audio was inaudible… The amount paid for the package of picture and video together was barely nothing. I should stop here!

I go crazy when I see this kind of subject, because in my opinion the main responsible in this type of “crash course” is in reality who hired these “professionals”, since this person did not give the necessary attention to the recruitment, as there are several ways to filter good professionals and avoid this kind of mishap.

So, after reading this article I decided to write this post in defence of the professional category and also warn brides-to-be, because everyone wins with a clean market and the overall satisfaction of the clients.

I always suggest every bride-to-be the following:

First, do some research on the internet, because today, websites are the companies’ faces. Doing a small check on the websites you can understand the photographic language, style and personality of the professional (carefully read the content on the vendor’s blog / website – photographers also think, write, read and breath art). Second, book a visit to talk about what you think and want on your wedding day. The virtual world is not entirely efficient to know about the professional (those who live in another city or country should consider other resources like Skype to fine tune the ties of the relationship and clarify any questions that may arise. But even so, I always suggest a meeting in the week of the wedding, so we can personally meet and break the ice – it always works.) Here’s an important point: There is no good work if there’s no empathy between the client and the supplier. This is the fundamental basis of the success of the partnership. Especially when it comes to wedding photography. The cornerstone is called “trust.”

See the entire portfolio, not a single work, but several copies. See the consistency of the work, the finishing of the material, the post production and editing (this works for photo and video), check about this professional with other suppliers. Here is a great tip – hire a Wedding Planner: this professional is a market expert advisor, he/she will give you valuable tips not to get fooled. But bear in mind that having a bad Wedding Planner is worse than having a bad photographer since this professional will interfere in the progress of your whole event.

There’s a clear rule here: “THE CHEAP IS EXPENSIVE”. It is also important to point out that not everything that has a higher price is better. The market offers a large range of options. Keep an eye on what’s going on and search! Choose at least three good professionals on the same level and consider their pros and cons before making a decision.

NO MIRACLES! It is impossible to stay in business with a top quality work without investing in good training, photo and video equipment (cameras, lenses, memory cards) and post-production (modern computers, monitors, HD, file storage, cloud backup, etc).

So brides-to-be, when you are in pursuit of your suppliers / vendors, DO NOT just think about the price. Of course you must consider an estimated budget, but it is worth devoting some time to your main contributors – it’s a “once in a lifetime” event and there’s no chance for mistakes.

Exaggerated DISCOUNTS are always suspicious!

What is the value of the images of your wedding if they have been lost? Priceless!

Into 20 or 30 years, your family will be seeing your wedding album, and tears of joy may fall if you hire a good photographer, however, if you make a mistake in hiring the right professional, without a doubt sad tears are the ones that will fall! Think about it.

Final tip:
Trust the chosen professional – great images will only be made with the consent of freedom of creativity by the couple.

Hopefully we have helped you in your search. If you want to know more about our work, we can arrange a visit for any kind of information regarding Wedding Photography or just to chat.

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