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5 Points To Consider When Hiring A Pro Wedding Photographer

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5 Points To Consider When Hiring A Pro Wedding Photographer

Many couples do not realize how important wedding photos are, until the wedding is over. After an unscrupulous wedding photographer has shot disgustingly poor quality photos. And they have nothing to look at to remember the once-in-a-lifetime moments.

You don’t want this to be your story, do you? So as you plan other important details of your wedding don’t leave out wedding photography.

To help you plan, this are the key considerations you need to make. Questions you need to ask yourself and your photographer. A precise answer to these questions should lead you to a good photographer who will capture shots that will tell the story of your wedding for many years to come.

1) What is my budget?

While it’s not always advisable to make the decision based on price alone, it will help you sieve through the hundreds of options to a few you can work with.

From selected photographers within your budget, get the details of what each package entails. Go with one that has better services for that range of money.

But don’t go for the cheapest, it can end up being expensive in the long run. Pick someone who is able to deliver what you want. Focus on quality.

2) What is my style?

As you approach prospective photographers, it’s important to have an idea of what you want. It makes work easier. In your discussions, the photographer will help you crystallize and enhance the style.

Knowing your style also enables you choose the most appropriate photographer. Some photographers specialize. So if you know your style it will be easy to match with the best of the best in that niche.

If you really don’t know what you want, worry not. With the help of your photographer you will come up with viable styles that will rock on your D-day.

3) Where can view I your album?

The most effective way to gauge the ability of a prospective photographer is by assessing their previous work. Ask where you can find such work.

Photographers with websites will display them on the sites. Be sure to log in and sample them. If not, you will be able to access the albums when you visit their premises.

If the quality levels meet your expectations, it’s a greenlight. Never hire a photographer before having a look at their previous work first.

4) When can I meet you?

Virtual meeting is not sufficient when picking a person who will be capturing the moments in the best day of your life. So set up a physical meeting.

This allows you to confirm critical details you couldn’t otherwise. From the look on their face you can assess their credibility of their claims, and you can get to see their equipment.

Moreover, it presents the opportunity to clarify important details like capacity, what the package entails, who specifically you will be working with on the material day, backup plans, dress code, the program of the day and other matters of concern.

5) When do I book a photographer?

As soon as know the date of your wedding. Photographers operate in a first come first served basis. Lest someone gets there before you, secure your date.

Once you are sure you will dealing with a certain photographer, see them and sign the contract. Then you have all the time to take care of the nitty-gritties as the wedding approaches.

7 Tips To Hire A Professional Portrait Wedding Photographer

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7 Tips To Hire A Professional Portrait Wedding Photographer

Nothing captures the memories of your wedding better that good photos. Long after the flowers have dried up, the cake eaten and the esteemed visitors have left, your album preserves the memories. Hence the need to invest in good wedding photography.

The difference between a photo you stare at for minutes and one you don’t want to give a second look is the person behind the camera. For the special occasion your wedding is, you need to ensure that person is a professional wedding photographer, not an amateur.

This is how you will know you are dealing with a professional photographer:

1. They have been in the trade for a while.

Professionalism comes with experience. Experience comes as a result of doing something over and over again until you are proficient in it. To get the necessary experience, the photographer must have been operating for sometime.

Longevity of operation gives you the assurance they can handle your wedding, since they have successfully done it in the past in different circumstances in the various weddings.

Anything above a year in wedding photography is satisfactory. If you want, you may work with a photographer with a lesser time under their sleeves but trade very carefully.

2. In it fulltime.

To many people, photography is a hobby. Something they do as a side hustle to complement their primary job. Not bad in any way, some do it perfectly right. The only problem is that most part-timers take it lightly, after all they have little to lose if anything goes wrong.

However, most professional photographers are into photography fulltime. That’s what they have been trained for and do if for a living. You can be sure they take it very seriously, and would not entertain any mistakes.

You are better off working with a professional photographer who is doing it fulltime.

3. Have proof of competence.

Having photographed in different events over time, professional photographers have amassed rich collection of photos. These photos are stored in albums available online (on the websites) or when you visit their premises.

Every professional photographer has album upon album, which they freely present as selling points to their prospective clients.

When you meet a photographer with but few photos mainly taken in one event know you are dealing with an amateur.

4. They have specialized in few fields.

Generally, professionalism comes specialization.

While many photographers are jacks of all trade, professional photographers seem to specialize in a few areas. If you are lucky to find one who has specialized in weddings you will be in for a great treat.

5. Have developed distinct styles.

A professional will confidently and clearly elaborate what they do, so with professional photographers. They are sure of their styles and tastes. In addition to their own styles, they are well versed with other current styles and trends in the photography industry. They are also so sure about how they go about their wedding photography work.

When you sense such command know you are dealing with a professional photographer, if possible strike a deal.

6. Thorough and gets to the details.

A professional photographer will carefully listen to you and understand what you want. Then they will advise on how you can improve on your proposal so that it would even be better.

Moreover, they ask the right questions. Questions like your expectations, the type of visitors, the program, and a liaison who will help identify family members so that all are photographed.

7. They have a contract.

Important too, you know you are with a professional photographer when they have a contract. Beyond the verbal agreement, a written agreement seals the deal.

Avoid a photographer who lacks the qualities listed above. More often than not they will be an amateur.

Starting A New Photography Business?

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Starting A New Photography Business

If you’ve dreamed of being a photographer for years, and you’ve decided to take the leap now, well done! You’ve made a brave decision, but it is one which will reap great rewards if you heed advice and take the right steps.

It’s always a good idea to listen to professionals in the business, those who have been doing this for a long time, and have probably made all the mistakes for you. Listening to their advice means that you can avoid the mistakes they made, and this clears the road to success for you.

To help you on your path to photography success, here are a few tips to bear in mind.

Create a website as your first step

Nobody gets anywhere without an online portfolio these days, because everyone looks on the Internet when they are trying to hire someone, for any job at all. Make sure your site is professional, it looks the part, and it shows your best work. Remember to have clear contact details, and keep updating regularly.

Freelance on the side first

It’s all very well and good being gung-ho and quitting your day job, sure in the knowledge that you’re going to succeed, but you need a back up plan, and you need to also see if this is going to work for you first. Slowly slowly is always the best plan of action. On top of this, it’s very easy for a creative mind to get overloaded from time to time, so having your main job is something which will help you keep balance in your mind.

Answer queries straight away

Don’t hand around waiting to answer someone’s query; the longer you wait, the more chance there is of them going somewhere else. Answering a question won’t take long, but it could be the difference between getting that gig, or it going to someone else.

You are going to fail, and you are going to miss jobs

You need to make peace with the fact that you’re going to make the odd mistake from time to time, and it’s okay. You will learn harsh lessons in any creative profession, especially such a competitive one, but you need to learn from them every time.

Streamline your equipment

Yes, you need the odd bit of equipment for specialist jobs, but really, if you have a top quality camera, you don’t need all manner of added extras, it just complicates things. Narrow your lenses down to three, or you could even go as far as two, provided you know how to use them in the best possible way. You don’t want to be carrying more heavy equipment from job to job than is necessary!

Always back up your work

Do not rely on technology, it breaks at some point! Back up any work you do on a memory stick or in an online cloud, and this will give you total peace of mind.

You will be a jack of all trades

When you are a photographer, you’re not just the guy or girl taking the photos, you are your own manager, your own decision maker, your own book-keeper, your own website manager, you’re basically everything, and you need to prioritize your time accordingly. As your business grows, as it surely will, it might be an idea to consider hiring someone who can help you, perhaps with your website needs, if this is not something which is your strong point.

It’s about how you treat people

Photography is a very hands-on and personalized job, and you will be dealing with people in real situations, sometimes personal situations, such as a wedding day, for example. For this reason, the most basic of things needs to be in your mind – manners and personality. This could be the difference between a word of mouth referral to someone else, resulting in another job, or negative feedback, which can be very damaging indeed.

With more than 30 years of confirmed efficiency and effects, all of us pride ourselves at Philip O’Neill Photography with a dedication to top quality with each customer we work together with. Visit them site at www.philiponeillphotography.com.