Notebook

Nor has there ever been anything written that gives you, the bride, a true guideline as to how to
select the one person who could supply you with a heart full of memories to last a lifetime. I have,
therefore, compiled a list of in-depth questions that you may want to explore to help select the
photographer who's right for you. Think about them and get answers before placing your trust and
faith in someone who might later disappoint you with results that are less than what you had hoped
to receive. No one knows better then I what's going on in the wedding photography industry today.
I've been a wedding photographer, myself, for the last forty years. I've been influencing wedding
photography all over the world for the last twenty years through my seminars and publications.
I really know the business from the INSIDE OUT! And I want to share it with your here...in the hopes
that you will once and for all learn how to be an educated shopper for wedding photography.

START HERE

First of all, undoubtedly the best way a bride has to prejudge the competency of a wedding
photographer is to have a recommendation from someone whose opinion she trust. If she has more
than one recommendation, that's even better... especially if the same photographer's name comes
from different sources. Then, a phone call is appropriate. The telephone conversations should
begin with the availability of the photographer to cover the wedding on your specific date. You
should also learn the name of the photographer who would be doing the actual pictures, and at
least a rough estimate of the costs involved. An appointment should be made to meet with the
photographer who will be assigned to your wedding, see his work and discuss the details.
Without doubt, this meeting should include both the bride and groom as well as the bride's parents..
or however many of these people can be assembled for the consultation. Without all these people
in attendance it would be virtually impossible to come to any conclusions that would effectively
work for all principal parties involved.

The 2nd-Best/Women at The Wedding
At that meeting the first assessment you should make is whether or not you feel comfortable in
the presence of the photographer. If you're going to spend a good part of the most important day
of your life with this person, it should be someone with whom you know you'll enjoy sharing that
time. Then, I feel that you should see some of the photographer's work. If you see a picture, or a
series of pictures, that you really like, you should ask: (1) Who are these people? (2) Did you,
personally, take these photographs? (3) May I call these people for a personal reference? After
all, it's one thing to see some beautiful pictures, but it's equally important to find out if the bride and
groom ENJOYED working with this photographer. It's also a way of knowing that the photographs
you're being shown were actually made by the person you're speaking to. You want to be sure that
the work you're admiring was made by the photographer who'll be at your wedding. Another
result of this meeting could be to allow you and your photographer to begin a one-on-one
relationship. In that way, neither of you would be strangers to each other on the day of the
wedding and you'll be more relaxed in front of the camera.

Now The Fun Begins
For the most part, when prospective clients come to my studio, their questions pertain to prices,
sizes and numbers. I've often felt that the reason for this is that they've never thought to consider
some of the more important questions such as: (4) How do you feel about the bride and groom not
wanting to see each other before the ceremony? What are the alternatives? How will the various
plans effect us on the day of the wedding? (5) Do you have any goals for approaching each
wedding? Any long-term goals for yourself as a person, as a photographer? (6) How long do you
expect to be with us on the day of the wedding? Beginning at what time? Until when? Is there
an extra charge if the wedding runs a little overtime? (7) Whom would you include in the photo-
graphs? Where and when would they be taken? (8) What can I do to help you perform your duties
to the best of your ability?

See A Whole Wedding
If you're still interested in the photographer's services at this point, I'd ask to see a complete
coverage of a single wedding. That's a lot more important than seeing a selection of beautiful
highlights from many different weddings. When looking through the album, evaluate the work by
placing yourself in the position that this could have been YOUR wedding coverage. Ask yourself
if the photographer has actually considered the individual characteristics and personality of each
of the persons in the photographs to come up with these pictures. Then, you might follow up with
some of the following: (9) Considering my facial features, physical attributes in general, what angles
of my face would you consider to be better than others? Is there anything you can do to make me
or members of my family look the way they WANT to look? (10) Have you noticed any expressions
or mannerisms of mine that you might want to try to capture or avoid? (11) How did you get
qualified to take professional wedding pictures? What kind of educational background and/or
experience have you had in developing your techniques? When and with whom was it last updated.

Get Specific!
Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Too often important details that you had never before
considered come back to haunt you later: (12) How will you be showing me the pictures for
selection? (13) Will you be helping me in the selection of the final pictures? (14) How can
people who live out of town be accommodated with ordering, paying and delivering? (15) What
are the cost of the various styles of coverage? Are there different degrees of coverage? What's
included in each? (16) How much for the extras? Duplicates? Ask to see the specific style of
album you will be receiving. Are alternate choices available? At an extra cost? (17) What kind
of time frame are you looking at for preparing the pictures for my selection? Are you providing me
with proofs, slides, or what? How much time do I have to make up my mind as to which pictures I
want and how many? Are the "proofs" for sale?

Look To The Future
(18) How much money would you expect me to eventually spend before you think I'd be
completely happy with my wedding coverage? (19) How much money would you WANT me to
spend in order for me to make it worthwhile for you to give me your full attention on my wedding
day? (20) How long have you been in business? How long do you plan on staying in the
business? In other words, what kind of guarantee comes with my hiring you and/or your studio?

Wrap It Up Intelligently
Finally, let's consider a few topics of conversation that could/should help you make a decision.
(21) Do you have any particular philosophy about your approach to photographing weddings?
(22) What would you plan to do at my wedding that would make my wedding photographs unique
and personal to me? Can I tell you who I want in my pictures? How will you find them? (23) How
can I be certain that YOU will be taking the pictures? With whom will I be dealing with after the
wedding? (25) What's your payment policy? Do you give any guarantees on your services and
photographs?

Make A Commitment!
By now you've probably spent a good deal of time with the photographer. His time is money, the
same as yours. Realize that in the long run someone has to pay for the hours each photographer
spends as a consultant. Keep his (and your) expenses to a minimum by going to the meeting with
the photographer prepared to leave a deposit to confirm the date. Before you do, however, you
may want to assure yourself of a few more last-minute details. Find out the photographer's policy
if the date of your wedding is changed and he/she's not available on the alternate date. Find out,
too, what the policy is for an unforeseen cancellation of the date. At this stage of the game, if you've
really taken the time to get into some of the above questions, you HAVE to know whether or not
this photographer is for you. If the photographer IS for you, if the photographer IS available, and
if you're convinced that it's worth the price... then make the commitment and rest assured that this
is undoubtedly one of the best and most intelligent decisions you've made in planning your wedding!
* * * * * * * * * *

Yet, within the framework of the entire wedding day, it makes good sense to evaluate the money
spent on photographs in relation to what's being spent on flowers, food and music. Although
everyone knows that the pictures are the only thing you have after the moment has passed, some
people still feel they have to put the money "where it shows".

Later, in the privacy of their own hearts, many of these people are often disappointed with photo-
graphic memories that give them nothing but heartaches...and there's no remedy! Let's face it!
You're going to remember the wedding day through the eyes, heart, and talent of your photographer.
When making the decision as to who that photographer is going to be, realize that oftentimes
you're talking a relative difference of pennies! On the other hand, if you're unhappy, regardless
of the "good deal" you're getting, you could lose everything!

What's the "going rate" among wedding photographers nowadays? The price difference is as
great as the time, talent and technique of the studios being considered. Certainly, among competent
photographers in a highly competitive area, or photographers in their formative years, a good
wedding coverage can be found around the thousand dollar category. Spending less than that
would probably be a high-risk gamble. Other photographers may begin somewhere around a
thousand dollars and go upwards from there. A true specialist, one who has a reputation for
consistently delivering the best, might begin at two or three times that amount and go upwards to
five thousand and more.

When considering the cost of a photographer, you may find that studios sometimes approach
this matter in one of two different manners. Whereas some photographers have basic "packages"
of an agreed number of photographs for a specified dollar amount, other studios might have a
predetermined charge for their services and allow you to buy whatever amount of pictures you want.

There are, of course benefits to both approaches. In the first instance you have a good idea
right from the start how much money you're probably going to spend...and you're locked into that
minimum. That's a double guarantee, both for you and the photographer. Studios that offer you
what's known as their a-la-carte system are taking a chance (along with you) as to how much money
you'll be spending. You may feel more comfortable with either one of them, they both have merit.
Still, be prepared that regardless of the method used, you could easily spend much more than you
originally planned.

The bottom line, as you know, is not necessarily how much you end up spending on photographs.
Instead, it's how much pleasure you get from them over the years. Wouldn't you agree, that at a
time as important as your wedding day, it's better to invest a little more money for photography
than you had planned...instead of a little less than you should? Why risk your memories of a
once-in-a-lifetime event on a gamble?

Besides, if you should spend $1000. for your wedding pictures, that's only an investment of
five cents a day if you make it to your 50th Anniversary! Only twenty-seven cents a day on an
investment of $5000! *