Choose your Photographer Wisely

15/02/10 11:46 Filed in: Wedding Tips

I was looking around the Easy Weddings www.easyweddings.com.au forum and came across a post http://easyweddings.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=22595&st=0&sk=t&sd=a#p280538
about a lady who was disappointed in her wedding photos and the lack of care from the wedding photographer.

“Now, while he has delivered what we asked for, with quite a few really good photos and he was really good on the day with lots of energy etc, I find that I am disappointed that he didn't take more care when taking the photos, mainly with placement of things around us and how our attire was sitting on us etc.”

So I did some investigating and asked some photographers, that Wedding Movies recommend, what their thoughts were:

Johl from JD Digital Photography said: http://jddigitalphotog.com/

“I think she has gone with a very cheap photographer and unfortunately you do get what you pay for with wedding photography.
I would respond with the attitude that whatever it takes to fix it for this bride I would do. I would go above and beyond to make her happy.
This hasn’t happened to me luckily, but I show my clients at least 2 or 3 full weddings that I have done so they can see my style and a typical wedding.  I don’t just show one or two good pics from each wedding because anyone can do this”. 
 
Questions Johl suggested Brides consider when choosing a photographer are:

  • Can I see a couple of full wedding albums and proof books from the one wedding?
  • Will you be the photographer on the day?
  • Are you an accredited AIPP photographer?
  • How long have you been in business for?
  • Do you have any testimonials we can look at?
 
The three main things to consider when choosing a wedding photographer:

  • The photographer- as you spend the entire day with him/her, so you want to like and get along with them.
  • The Style- you have to like what you see, every photographer has a different style.
  • The package inclusions and pricing- In Johl’s opinion, “charging under $1500- 2000 for a wedding package should be considered a risk, you can’t put out a quality product charging less than that, and if they are they probably have a full time job and do wedding photography as a hobby”.


It's sad that so many people can claim to be a professional photographer when they clearly don't have a passion for taking great photos.  It gives the industry a bad name.  The same applies to video as well.  Couples who go for the cheaper option often expect great things, but can be very disappointed with the end results.  You can't just reshoot the wedding you only have one chance. 

“You get what you pay for!”