(PART 3) EXCITED, ENGAGED AND ON A MISSION to find that special photographer for your special day.

(PART 3) EXCITED, ENGAGED AND ON A MISSION to find that special photographer for your special day.

- PACKAGES, COLLECTIONS, INVESTMENTS (What?)
– CONTRACTS: Who needs them?!
– PHOTOGRAPHER THE INTERVIEWER
– THE LAST QUESTION YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF.

7 – PACKAGES, COLLECTIONS, INVESTMENTS (What?)

So far we have spoken about the process of getting the BEST photographer FOR YOUR WEDDING but have not even touched the topic of what you are going to actually get at the end of the day! Alas, here we are. Some photographers call the contents of what you get packages, collections, an investment, or a commission to supply you with your wedding day photographs. Well, the name really only matters to whom it matters. What I mean is this. If you look at your wedding day portraits as a matter of supreme importance, a work of art you are investing for future generations, then you are going to want to find photographers who will view your wedding day photographs in like manner. I CANNOT STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF YOU AND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER’S VIEW OF YOUR WEDDING DAY PHOTOGRAPHS!
Surprisingly most photographers offer the same contents when it comes to photographs and CD/DVDs. In this manner, it is important that you get what is important to you.

Digital Negatives and Reprints:
Some photographers will sell reprints directly to you. This means that you will only get prints of your wedding day (this is separate from your album) when you pay the photographer for them. These prices will vary depending on the size of the prints and how many you request. Other photographers will create a combination package in which you receive a CD/DVD composed of an unlimited or limited number of photos. You may be able to reprint these photos on your own or you may be only able to view them on a computer and email them with no option to make your own reprints.

Albums:
Albums, Albums, and more Albums! As the wedding industry grows, more and more companies are offering albums so it is important to see a model of the album you are choosing. There are many different types of albums and two different albums from two different photographers will call the two albums by the same name. So be sure you know the particulars of your album.
Questions about the album you should ask:
1 – How many pages are in the album?
2 – What choices do I have about the album?
3 – On average how many photos will fit in the album?

Some photographers will offer other products but the main thing that you want to consider is what you are looking for. Are you looking forward to having a plenty of prints to give away and a large album or are you looking for something small like just the album? These are questions that you are going to have to consider thoughtfully. Whatever your choice is, make sure that there is clear communication between you and your photographer.

8 – CONTRACTS: Who needs them?!
A friend told me once that, “CONTRACTS KEEPS FRIENDS FRIENDS AND ENEMY FROM KILLING EACHOTHER” Because of the nature of the service you are requesting from the photographer is incredibly important that you get everything that you agreeing to in writing. Be sure that the type of album, numbers of pages, and the amount of time that you are requiring from you photographer is in writing. The reason that this is important is because if something where to go wrong then it can be held up in court. Contracts keep people a little more honest than if you didn’t have one.
Personally, I go over everything in the contract before anyone signs anything. This way I make sure that everyone understands what is going on and communication of what is expected is clear as possible.

9 – PHOTOGRAPHER THE INTERVIEWER
The photographer should be interviewing you just as much as you should be interviewing the photographer. As stated before, “not everyone is for everyone” applies here as well. The photographer should ask questions that identify your personality and the personality of your relationship with your fiancé. I always ask questions such as:
1- When did the two of you meet?
2 – How long did you date before you were engaged?
3 – What is the most important detail in your wedding that you are most excited about?
4 – Is the venue you have chosen really important to you?

The photographer needs to ask questions that are going to tell a little bit about the couple and what’s important to them. If the photographer doesn’t know what is important to you then the photographer most likely will not photograph what is important to you. This most likely will result in you not being completely happy with your final product. In short, the photographer should have a good idea as to who the couple is and what is important to them.

10 – THE LAST QUESTION YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF.
We are at the last step in finding your perfect photographer. So what is the last question you should ask yourself? “Would you invite this person over to your home?” You should have all the information you need to make a great decision. You have seen the photographer’s website, made sure that everything is in writing, and your style and the photographer’s style are in line.

What’s your gut feeling? Remember decisions that you make cannot be based on what you thought was true or what you hoped will be true. The best answer you can make about the decision is based on the information that you have now. Good luck! Not every photographer is for every Bride but if you look hard enough and gather enough information you are more likely to find the photographer that is best for you.