Time to Book Your Wedding Photographer...
Wedding Season is Rapidly Approaching
It's Time to Book Your Photographer.
If you're planning a wedding, you've probably heard this spiel one or twenty times already: After the cake is cut, the flowers are wilted and the last favor has been stuffed into your Aunt Betty's purse, only your photos remain.
So, needless to say, finding the right photographer is pretty important. It's also pretty overwhelming. Photography websiteSLRlounge.com estimates there are 100,000 wedding photographers in the U.S. alone -- and you're expected to find the one who will capture your wedding exactly the way you envision it. And you thought finding a husband was hard!?
Unfortunately, some of the most common "selling points" for wedding photographers can actually be red flags in disguise. Here are a few factors that shouldn't influence your choice -- and how to make sure you've picked a winner.
1. "This studio shoots 300 weddings a year!"
Experience is a must -- you don't want a photographer using your wedding for practice. But busier isn't always better. If someone shoots 100+ weddings in a year, either they're shooting back-to-back events every single weekend, or they're hiring associate photographers to fill their shoes (and their sample albums). Neither of those is an automatic deal breaker, but you should get a feel for how these photographers handle their heavy workload. If they're doing it all themselves, do they seem passionate or jaded? If they're hiring an associate, is it a talented colleague or a random freelancer? Make sure you know who will be holding the camera on your wedding day, and that they're committed to treating you like a VIP no matter how many other clients they have.
I shoot only a few weddings a year and I try to get to know my clients and their families.
2. "She's running an insane sale!"
I planned my wedding on a shoestring budget, so I wore a $400 wedding gown in order to afford my first-choice photographer. My reasoning? The right photographer can make a budget dress look breathtaking, but the wrong photographer can make a Yumi Katsura look tacky. Ask anyone who's been burned: It's not a bargain if you hate your photos. If your favorite photographer is running a discount (like 10 percent off for Friday weddings, or a free engagement session), then heck yeah, jump on it! But don't let a deep discount be your deciding factor. Good wedding photographers pay taxes, carry insurance and invest in high-end gear. So before you cut corners with a dirt-cheap photographer, ask yourself where they cut corners.
My pricing is set up so you can choose what you want photographed. Check out my Sample Contract.
3. "He's family!"
Maybe you have a cousin who just graduated art school, or an uncle who does wildlife photography or a friend who recently launched a portrait studio. And they've offered to shoot your wedding for freeeeee! While it may seem like money-saving serendipity, you risk bad blood if they screw up. Weddings are a tough gig with a lot of variables -- just because your friend takes beautiful photos of sleeping babies, it doesn't mean she knows how to light a pitch-black reception venue. And what if you don't love the photos? What if your images get lost because your cousin has mad skills but no file-backup system? What if your shutterbug uncle heads to the bar to do a quick shot with his brother -- during your first dance? Bottom line: When you're choosing a wedding photographer, choose a wedding photographer.
Maybe you have a cousin who just graduated art school, or an uncle who does wildlife photography or a friend who recently launched a portrait studio. And they've offered to shoot your wedding for freeeeee! While it may seem like money-saving serendipity, you risk bad blood if they screw up. Weddings are a tough gig with a lot of variables -- just because your friend takes beautiful photos of sleeping babies, it doesn't mean she knows how to light a pitch-black reception venue. And what if you don't love the photos? What if your images get lost because your cousin has mad skills but no file-backup system? What if your shutterbug uncle heads to the bar to do a quick shot with his brother -- during your first dance? Bottom line: When you're choosing a wedding photographer, choose a wedding photographer.
Sure family and friends can shoot your wedding but do they have the experience to get the right shots. Do they have back-up in case there is equipment failure during and after your wedding. View some of my wedding samples: http://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/WeddingsandSpecialEvents/Samples/Special-Days/
5. "Her portfolio is ahh-maaa-zing!"
Okay, this is actually a really good reason to book a wedding photographer! But it shouldn't be your only reason. After you're done drooling over the dreamy images and Pinterest-worthy poses, email the photographer and set up an in-person meeting. Remember, your photographer will probably spend more time by your side on your wedding day than your own mom -- or even your newly betrothed. So no matter how much you love someone's work, make sure your personalities click before you invite him or her along for one of the most important days of your life.
5. "Her portfolio is ahh-maaa-zing!"
Okay, this is actually a really good reason to book a wedding photographer! But it shouldn't be your only reason. After you're done drooling over the dreamy images and Pinterest-worthy poses, email the photographer and set up an in-person meeting. Remember, your photographer will probably spend more time by your side on your wedding day than your own mom -- or even your newly betrothed. So no matter how much you love someone's work, make sure your personalities click before you invite him or her along for one of the most important days of your life.
I shoot weddings in an natural, unobtrusive, candid style. I prefer not to pose people as I like to capture the wedding as it happened.
Pricing starts at $500.
Although I am based in Vermont, I am available to travel to your venue/location.
Sample Wedding Contract
Wedding Samples
For a Package Quote please contact me at: info@photosbynanci.com 802.230.5152
My weekends are booking up so call me today to reserve my skills for your special day!
I also shoot:
People, Pets, Senior Class, Actor and Corporate Headshots, Product and House Interiors/Exteriors: $35 per hour for personal/$75 per hour for commercial
Senior Class packages $80
Samples
Home Interiors
Anniversary Parties, Birthday Parties, Bar/Bat Mitvahs, Family Reunions, Corporate Events:
$400, based on a three hour event. Extra hours: $100 per hour
Samples