Selecting a Photographer

Selecting the Photographer for your wedding.

Frequently, on web sites and in person, couples say that choosing the photographer for their wedding was the most difficult choice they faced. So after more than 25 years in this business I thought I would see if I could help...
Working backwards:
Most photographers find it very difficult to answer questions about cost and other aspects of the photo package until they know what the customer wants. We ask people to help by working backwards. What do you want to end up with? is a frequent question. Whether a couple wants a DVD or a CD or a traditional finished album or simply the proofs (digital or paper) can make a tremendous difference in not only the cost but the basic approach to the job.
Style of photography is another "end result" issue. If traditional poses are desired, time needs to be scheduled to make these types of photographs. If strictly photojournalistic coverage is desired then the photographer(s) are specifically there to observe and record.
Usually, however, we need to do both. Parents and loved ones want a few posed photographs to put on the wall or in a frame for the table... Candids are mostly for the couple and their friends.
And, by the way, a strictly photo-journalistic coverage is not for the faint hearted. Typically a true photojournalist is not inclined to intervene to make a "good" picture "better" or manipulate a scene for the "best" shot. Most customers I have worked for want some "help" in keeping the wedding "on track" and getting the best shots. So what we really are talking about here is a hybrid of photojournalistic "editorial" illustration where the candids look candid but are really a little bit influenced by an occasional "move here" or "look there".... otherwise I am not convinced you will really like the results...
Cost differences:
Why the huge difference in costs between photographers?
Let's start at the top and work down.
At the top end of the wedding photographer field you have image makers who work hard along with an additional photographer or even 2 or more additional photographers to make a large number of photos from which you can select for albums... Some of these photographers are making more than 1500 photos at a wedding. These so called "celebrity" photographers' fees go to $10,000 and more.
Others in this price bracket (or between $5K and $9K) may not shoot so many photos but include with their packages large finished albums (traditional or magazine style) where every photo has been retouched and mounted in the best possible way for a "work of art" quality finished product. Photographers in this price category expect you to know quality work when you see it and don't mind sending you down the road to someone else if you can't afford them because they are busy.
The larger "middle section" of photographers ($2500 to $5000) include elements of the higher priced crowd such as the better finished albums, lots of candids, and well produced posed shots with studio lighting (even on location). It is more difficult to differentiate these photographers because most of them are good photographers, produce a good product, and are reliable. Maybe you are looking more for a personality or a shooting style in this price bracket. When you receive all your photos the chances are they are a very good product and will last a long time. They may not be in the most expensive album but no one will be able to tell.
The largest group of photographers are the part timers, new to the business, just bought a digital camera, or just got out of school group who tend to , but not always, have lower prices.
Weddings are difficult pressure cookers for photographers sometimes. How does this new-comer perform under pressure? How is the quality of work? Is everyone green/magenta in the sample portfolio? Are the on camera flash shadows showing all over the place since there is no studio lighting equipment? You need to look closely to see if they are up to your standards. Many are shooting digitally, burning your CD in the car on a lap top, collecting their fee, and driving off.... offering you no support or services after the wedding.
Almost anyone can take a newer 35mm camera and point it at people in a sunny garden atmosphere and get a few good photos... especially if they take enough shots. But that isn't where most weddings are. Dark rooms, after dark, dimly lit churches, and the contrast between white dresses and black tuxedos creates challenges that amateurs are not prepared to deal with.
If you are getting quotes under $900 and the photographer is not charging you sales tax, or there is no after wedding services, or there is only a PO box on the business card I would caution you that the reliability of this type of photographer is not going to be very high. Every year the number of panic phone calls to established studios from couples looking for a photographer only 2 weeks before their wedding (when one of these photographers disappears or cancels) goes up. Typically, these types of photographers have no liability insurance.... making legal action a waste of effort.
Most professional photographers who make photographs for a living think it unethical for a photographer to book a job then cancel it if he/she gets a better job without taking care of the original customer. What does the photographer's contract say?
Film or Digital?
It makes little difference... IF the photographer is using good equipment and is competent and is capable of making quality images. Digital is less tolerant of sloppy work practices. The brand name of the camera is of no consequence to the bride and groom... Asking a photographer if he/she uses a Canon or Nikon or Rollie or Hasselblad is of no real consequence. We do take the point of view that medium format cameras produce superior images for formal posed shots however... and continue to use them for image control and overall quality.
Many accomplished photographers are switching back to film from digital. There are many possible reasons for this... But, the bottom line is these photographers were not able to obtain the results they expected so they are returning to a known method. Most also are saying they found digital to be quite expensive (the equipment is more than 10 times the price of film equipment).
Bottom Line:
Go talk to the photographer and look at his or her work. Is it what you want? Then discuss price... and services.



Mike Penney
http://www.photobymike.com

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