The biggest mistake a bride can make is to undervalue her wedding photography. So many brides have tried to save a few dollars on their wedding day by hiring a friend, or having a family member take their wedding photos. “I can’t tell you how many people I encounter on a weekly basis that share their wedding photography horror stories with me,” says Tonya Wilson of Wilson Whitaker Photography. “They hired a friend or uncle because he only charged a few hundred dollars. In the end they are stuck with images that they completely dislike (if they get anything at all). Now the memories of such a beautiful day are blurred by the bad taste of amateur photography. This makes me so sad every time I hear it.”
So now that you know to hire a trusted professional photographer for your wedding day, here are 5 qualities to look for when meeting with your local professionals.
1. Personal Touch: Small, local studios also called boutique studios take pride in being small businesses and want to exceed your expectations! A trusted, local wedding professional first works to establish a rapport with its clients through a consultation and/or meeting. Interested clients can view genuine samples of work that the photographers themselves have captured and are encouraged to ask questions in an effort to create a custom fit for the engaged couple.
When choosing a local professional, clients can also quickly gauge what style and personality the photographers have and if it will be a good fit for their special day. Your photographer’s personality is going to play a huge role in your wedding day experience. You will spend a great majority of time with him/her. Many times photographers are not only there to capture your big day but also become a part of it. You want to be certain your personalities mesh.
A great photographer will stay in touch with you throughout the wedding planning process and will not book another wedding event on your day. They will attend to your needs not only before your big day, but also the day of and in the weeks, months and years following your wedding. Tonya Wilson states, “When you pick your wedding photographer, you are not just picking a photographer for your wedding day. You spend time establishing a relationship together and as you and your family grows, so does the photographer/client relationship.”
2. Extensive Experience: The local wedding professional is just that, a trusted professional! Recognizing the large number of people who own really sophisticated cameras, do you believe that automatically qualifies them to be a photographer? I would ask you to ponder this. Would you let anyone who owned a scissors cut your hair? I know I wouldn’t! I carefully select a trained professional when seeking someone to cut my hair and that’s just my hair, it will grow back. I can only hope you would do the same when looking for a photographer, especially since your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life.
And if you need a little more proof, a professional photographer takes pride in the years of experience they’ve banked working events similar to yours. They have the training, creative eye and experience to accommodate for environmental challenges, such as the constant changes in lighting conditions your day will entail as well as wedding party and family dynamics, utilizing interesting poses, groupings and candid moments that you won’t know you missed until the sun sets on your wedding day.
3. Equipment and Insurance: Professional photographers pride themselves on their equipment. If you don’t believe me, just ask a pro if they think Canon or Nikon has the upper hand (ok, don’t do that unless you have a pot of coffee and a comfy chair on hand since you’ll be there a while). But having top of the line equipment and knowing how to use it when conditions are optimal and when they are challenging is crucial to creating beautiful wedding images. They not only have equipment but backup equipment (and backups, to the backups) as well as insurance to cover it and any liabilities incurred. For pros, their use of top of the line equipment extends beyond the wedding day. Backup drives, software and editing suites are also part of the usual repertoire for a quality artist. An amateur just won’t be able to justify the expense of this top of the line equipment and proper insurance coverage.
4. Quality: An independent, trusted photographer doesn’t employ the masses. When you sign a contract with the photographer you are signing an agreement to work with them! Rest assured you will work closely with them to finalize your intricate details on a consistent basis, and not their intern, subcontractor or other personnel. Most independent artists are meticulous when it comes to the quality of artwork they create from the choosing of images to the paper they use even to the packages they deliver your images in. A professional is putting her reputation and livelihood on the line.
As stated above, a small photography studio values the rapport you establish with them. They work with you to create a custom fit to what you are looking for not only in terms of style, images and products after your special day, but also while building a relationship that will hopefully surpass your wedding day and bring you back for your future family portraits.
5. Custom Products: Boutique photography studios have access to top of the line products and are experts at creating custom wedding albums, canvases, wall collages and much, much more. Tonya Wilson of Wilson Whitaker Photography says, “I’m constantly seeking out new products and new display ideas. At the same time I ask myself, is this as good or better than what I have now? We strive to find the perfect balance between fresh and unique without going too trendy or gaudy”. Professionals utilize their keen eye for details when capturing your images and then create custom art that tells the story of your wedding day in a way that will remain a joy in your home for years to come.
So don’t just go with Uncle Joe because he’s cheap or your friend’s brother’s girlfriend because she just got a “really nice” new camera. Get out there, set up meetings with your trusted photographers and see their work. Your custom portraiture investment in beautiful art will be treasured for generations to come!
