First of all, yeah! I know! I need to update my galleries. I have some cool new shots and they are still not up there. Ok, soon I promise.
Now- since is the season, and everybody is in love and feeling the preassure to fit in to a wedding dress, I am collecting some interesting information for brides to be. Because grooms don’t really care. Unless your name is Lindsey. (I apologize for the joke at the expense of my boyfriend- yes that is his name) he will be a groomzilla, I’ve been warned. All I care are about the pictures anyway. And that is fun. And the booze. Oh and the food must be good.
Ok! enough of that. Here are some of the most common questions.
What are the advantages of hiring a professional photographer?
One of the main reasons is experience. A professional wedding photographer will have all the right equipment.
And here is my kicker- “my cousin just bought and new camera and he said he will do it for 250.” Or, ” I saw an ad on craiglist, my whole wedding and gazillion prints for 399″.
I can say so many things here, but I will be polite. Do you want the pictures that will forever capture one of the most important moments of your life to be done by a newbie? Do they even have back up gear? Extra lenses? Or can they herd your aunt to the family portrait with authority and conviction? Retouching? Light? Composition?
Hell I have 3D pictures of my son’s birth! I can’t wait till his old enough so I can scar him for life!
What questions should I ask a wedding photographer?
First availability, then negotiation of the package. I am pretty flexible in this area- since my main focus is boudoir, the most important thing for me is that the couple likes my work and are
passionate about having the traditional and the not so much for their wedding. I’m supper excited about this couple that want Yoko and John Lennon style pics for their engagement shoot.
Woo me, and I will put out. 🙂
Also personality is super important- go for the photographer that makes you feel comfortable. Meet a couple, it is a lot like a blind date. Remember you will have this person the whole day of your wedding telling you to put your shoulders back and suck in your gut, so you better like him/her. Ask anything- don’t be shy.
How can I help the photographer on the wedding day?
One of the main things is to help the photographer organize people. Herding I call it. This I think is a Maid of honor chore. Give her a list of the pictures you want for the group shots and let her help me with he herding.
Should we provide lunch or dinner for the photographer?
This one I know is a bit tricky for couple on a budget. Some photographers have it in their contacts that they must sit in a table close to the couple and have full service. But it is not always possible int the real world. Most places or caterers provide you with a Vendor meal option for us minions like the dj, musicians and photographer. I love buffets.
I too like to bring an assistant for weddings over 100 people. Again this is up to the couple. And no, is not my date, I actually need a slave to carry all my junk and take some extra candid shots and in generally keep me hydrated. Once my camera jammed and my assistant came to the rescue of shooting the couples kiss during the ceremony. I still have nightmares about it. Super assistant to the rescue.
Deposit and refund policy.
A professional photographer always requires a non-refundable deposit in order to hold your wedding date for you. This provides security for you, and provides a way to break up the cost of a wedding photographer. Even if by some emergency the photographer can not make it, he will provide a back up.
And in certain occasions that the couple breaks up or is very sick or something. But really, this is to save the date for you, and if something happens, the photographer can’t book this date again and is loosing money. Other photographers have a refund only if they can book the same day.