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Selecting the correct wedding photographer for your
individual needs should be one of the most important
decisions in the preparation of your wedding. There are many
considerations to be dealt with, in addition to the cost.
Of course, one needs to work within a budget. So,
let's start out by saying that it's difficult to pay too
much for something you really like. Yet, the initial price
is usually the one obstacle that prevents many couples from
selecting the photographer who un-
doubtedly could give them the best value for their money.
Quite often the difference between the price of the
wedding photography you really like and the photography who
you feel is "within your budget" is miscalculated.
Understandably, of course! When wedding plans come down to
the dollars and cents, it's hard to keep spending" a little
more here.... And a little more there." Somewhere along the
line, you may feel, you have to give a little. There's only
so much money available.
One can and should expect to get an estimate for the
cost of the wedding pictures on the telephone. At the same
time, you should not expect to be given details about the
sizes and numbers of pictures, before sitting down with the
wedding photographer face to face.
So, then how much money should your pictures cost?
Prices can be as
different as the time, talent and technique of the wedding
photography being considered. Certainly, among competent
photographers, in the highly competitive areas, or among
photographers in their formative years, you can expect to
begin at around a twelve hundred dollars. Spending less than
that would be a high-risk gamble.... And not worth the
"savings".
When considering the cost of the photographer, you
really want to know the "final" price, more than the
"asking" price. It may be good thing to ask the
photographer's opinion as to how much he thinks it would
cost you to get complete coverage that would please you and,
at the same time, make it worthwhile for the photographer to
put forth a total effort.
There are other serious considerations when selecting
a wedding photographer. Your primary focus should be on the
photographer's ability and his desire to be flexible. In
particular;
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Does the wedding photographer have a
philosophy and "game plan" for what he or
she would like to accomplish on you're
wedding day?
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Can the photographer adapt his or her
approach to include well-executed formal
portraiture (as much or as little as you
prefer) that doesn't appear to be stiff or
unnatural?
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Is the photographer willing to include
candid and photojournalistic images as a
part of the wedding coverage?
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If you are interested in Black and White or
Hand Colored images, is the photographer
qualified and willing to provide these
services?
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Without causing stress, will the
photographer be able to work sufficiently
well within the time parameters set up by
you and/or the bridal coordinator as to when
the photographs will be taken?
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Does the photographer have any knowledge of
facial analysis, so that he/she can create
the most flattering pictures of each
subject?
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Does the photographer retouch the close-up
photographs?
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Is the photographer willing to stay at the
wedding as long as necessary to complete the
wedding day coverage? (Be sure to plan on
feeding the photographer and assistants!)
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Will the photographer be limiting the
coverage, depending on the plan that you
select?
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What is the photographer's policy regarding
change of dates and/or unforeseen
cancellations?
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What is the photographer's policy for the
selection of the finished photographs?
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Is the photographer willing to provide
references (with phone numbers) from
satisfied clients?
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