You’re sitting here thinking “Of course wedding pictures are important to me, Christine!”. But I ask because when you are planning your wedding there are a lot of areas where you can cut costs, and with some of those choices you don’t notice the cut, but in others you do. In all honestly, wedding pictures are an area where if you cut too deep, you wind up with images you might not just regret but ultimately hate. So today I dig into 5 things you should think about if wedding pictures are important to you.
When a photographer is breaking into the wedding industry they typically price themselves in a lower {aka more appealing} price bracket. For reference, the average cost for a wedding photographer, according to The Knot, is $2783. I like to say the you can find a great photographer within $500 higher or lower for this amount. But anything less than $2200 and you are entering into what I call “newer” photographer territory. So to help navigate these waters, where you don’t want to spend an arm, leg and kidney for your images, but you still want the WOW factor, here are some tips in getting there:
1. Do you Mesh?
You are your photographer are going to be around each other all day—on a day that sometimes can be very stressful, highly emotional and a lot of times there is nakedness involved—on your end! Experience makes a difference here, as does their personality. Are you comfortable being mostly naked in front of them? Getting in your dress is a bare-all experience! And sometimes for the men too! I was photographing the details for the men in an adjoining room when the groom walked in, in his underwear. We laughed it off and joked about it for the rest of the day, but only because we had that rapport. Plus, I have experience dealing with near-naked moments and have a few one-liners at the ready for such a moment.
2. Price < Personality
I know I just discussed meshing with your photographer, but how do you get to that point of comfort? And how to you interview photographers to find the best fit for you and your partner? I cannot emphasize meeting in person enough. Ask them to bring a complete wedding with them or send it to you ahead of time. See if they are interested in you two, or if it is all about them. If the conversation is only about pricing and business and doesn’t flow into natural conversation, it’s not the best fit. And you won’t know that until you meet with them in person. I know it is so easy these days to email and text to get pricing and a portfolio, but tone and personality fall flat in these forms of conversation. With this person being in your world for all the moments of your wedding day, ensuring a good personality fit is paramount!
3. Getting all the Right Moments
Your wedding day moves fast, as do the off-the-cuff important moments. I remember the first and second wedding I photographed, I missed moments because I didn’t anticipate them {like the mom instantly crying when her daughter was in her dress and all done up, but walked away quickly to compose herself}. But now I understand an almost unwritten rhythm of the wedding day, things people don’t necessarily talk about, but happen at every wedding. You learn when to anticipate the tears, the wiping away of tears, the guffaws of laughter, the hand-to-chest, head tilt emotional smile moments. Those are the moments people cherish in their album. Yes, they love the formal portraits, but it is those off the cuff moments that wind up on their walls.
4. Plan to WIN
As mentioned above, your wedding day disappears in the blink of an eye. Having a plan for your day, with those important moments {mom doing up the dress, dad seeing you for the first time, doing a first look if that’s your jam} worked in is invaluable. Seasoned photographers know to build these moments into the timeline, ask about it in advance, and want to deliver these important moments to you. Not only will they instinctively know where to be, they will also have it in their timeline to be prepared. Heck I even just recently bought an Apple watch so that it will vibrate each step of the timeline for the day!
5. The Fine Print
One of the few things not talked about as much is ensuring your photographer is licensed and insured. Newer photographers are less likely to be a legitimate business, which also allows them to be less expensive. If they aren’t paying taxes or insurance, then any possible horror stories could happen. They might not show up on your wedding day at all {God forbid}. What if a guest falls over lighting equipment at your wedding and breaks something? Or knocks a camera to the ground and breaks a lens or the memory card inside? A licensed photographer is covered for such terrifying moments. And a lot of times your venue will request proof of insurance from the photographer for such situations.
In the end, getting wedding pictures you love is about value—finding that hidden gem within your price point. If you can afford wiggle room, I highly recommend going with a photographer who is slightly above the national average if the personality fits. Because a great fit is truly priceless.
More Magical Weddings Tips:
You’d Never Guess my Secret to Awesome Engagement Photos
How to Have a July 4th Wedding that’s Glamorous
Where in Houston to do your Engagement Session
Love my work? Want me to capture you and yours? Let’s talk!! It’s easy, my email address is Christine@swishnclick.com or inquire with a form. Let’s have a heart-to-heart, get excited about the possibilities of your wedding or session and come up with a plan that is uniquely you! I want to hear from you!
