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Reliability is at least as important as technical
proficiency, because if the photographer gets the time
or place wrong, forgets the film or the lights, or loses
your negatives, you are out of luck, and it won't help a
bit if you beat up the photographer and shove him into
the church broom closet. The damage is done! And
checking on reliability can't really be done by looking
for credentials or membership in wedding photography
associations (although membership is one way to
establish that the photographer at least goes to the
effort and spend the money required to belong to a
professional organization). The best way to ascertain a
photographer's reliability is to speak with some recent
clients, and it's perfectly appropriate to ask any
photographers you are considering to provide references
from customers. A lot of people are leery of checking
references: they're embarrassed to ask for them and
unwilling to follow up by calling them. But a
professional is glad to give you references, because
there are people out there who have been satisfied with
the service and who will tell you what you need to know.
If a photographer hesitates when you ask for references
(or refuses to give them at all), mark that person off
your list and go with someone else.
When you call a reference, tell that person who you
are and that you're considering hiring the photographer
who did their wedding. Ask the wedding photographer's reference the following questions:
- Did the photographer check out the location
beforehand?
- Did the photographer show up and set up in plenty
of time before the wedding?
- Did s/he have all the equipment he needed?
- Was s/he unobtrusive during the ceremony?
- How did the group photos go? Was it easy or
difficult to get people to pose?
- How long did it take you to get your prints after
the ceremony?
- Overall, were you pleased or displeased with the
quality of the photography?
- Did you feel that you got your money's worth?
- Was there anything you were unhappy with? What did
the photographer do to make things right?
Ideally, you will start with at least a half dozen
potential photographers, and after checking references,
wind up with two or three. Next, ask to see the
portfolios of the photographers you're still
considering. Look at the poses and the way the shots are
set up. Now that you've spoken to the photographer at
least twice, you are also forming opinions about whether
you like and trust this person.
Criteria that will help you pick the right wedding photographer:
- Photographers should have a clear-cut pricing
policy and should be willing to arrange for other
photographs or extra prints for a reasonable fee.
- The photographer should provide you with a clear
agreement of the number, size and type of photos you
will get for a package price. (For example, one
package might consist of two poses with bride and
groom, two with bride and maid of honor, one with all
parents, one with bridesmaids and groom's men, and one
with the bride alone, in 8X10). Some photographers
take a slew of photos so that you can choose your
favorites. In this case, you should be made aware of
what the different sizes will cost and the number of
prints in each size you can get for a set price.
- The photographer should provide you with a date by
which your prints will be sent to you, and will let
you know the cost up front in case you want to buy the
negatives.
- The photographer should include a money-back
guarantee in case your negatives are lost or some
disaster strikes before your wedding photos are taken.
- For digital photography, there should also be
clear cut prices for prints and disks.
- Photographers often ask for a deposit to reserve
their time on your wedding day. That's fine, as long
as there is a guaranteed refund if the wedding should
be postponed or called off. Many photographers require
at least two weeks' notice for a date change or
cancellation: ideally, you will find a photographer
who only asks for a few days' notice instead.
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