Help Choosing Your Wedding Photographer
7 mistakes to avoid when choosing your wedding photographer!
Here are 7 things to avoid in your quest to find the perfect photographer.
1) Letting a friend / relative photograph your wedding?
Do you buy a used car from your best friend?
Do you let your best friend paint your house?
Do you let your best friend renovate your kitchen?
Why not?
Because you would like to remain best friends, right? If something goes wrong or if they do not have the technical skills needed to accomplish the task in the best possible manner, you probably don’t want the confrontation or the possible fallout. Use a professional for your wedding photography. That way you can remain friends and they can enjoy the wedding and you can have peace of mind about your wedding photographer.
2) Not connecting with your wedding photographer?
When you meet your potential wedding photographer, do you feel a connection? Do they communicate well and understand your wants for your wedding pictures? Or do you feel intimidated?
Consider this, you will spend more time with your wedding photographer on your wedding day than any other vendor or person. How do you want to be treated on your special day?
A connection with your wedding photographer is an important consideration.
3) Hiring the lowest bid.
The old saying goes something like this, “ You get what you pay for,” and it is so true.
Why would a successful wedding photographer be the lowest bidder for your special day? Maybe he or she is just starting out?
Well, that means he or she has little or no experience. When things aren’t perfect. Can they handle the pressure?
When was the last event you attended perfect?
Something always goes wrong.
That is when you want an experienced wedding professional.
4) Bait and switch.
Did you ask if the wedding photographer’s work that you are seeing as examples, will be the wedding photographer onsite the day of your wedding? Get that in the contract or you could end up being the practice wedding for the newest assistant.
5) Experience and credentials.
Did your wedding photographer study photography in college or is this a hobby and they bought an expensive camera that they don’t quite know how to use?
Way too many brides end up disappointed with their wedding pictures because they hired someone who wasn’t qualified, but thought they were. Do not end up disappointed with your wedding pictures. Do your research.
Lastly, if a wedding is the hardest assignment that your wedding photographer has ever shot, beware. A great photographer is versatile, they can photograph just about anything. Experience is something you can't just have, it takes time and it shows in the photographs.
6) Contract for an album.
Too many brides think that they will have plenty of time and energy to put an album together to save money. Normally, this just never happens. How many friends do you know that didn't purchase an album have made their own? A year after the wedding? Two years? It's an overwhelming task that few can overcome. Why?
First choosing 40-60 images is really hard, especially if you have never edited photos before. You end up frustrated and without an album.
Secondly, you end up trying to make everyone happy. So, gridlock can and often does occur.
Contract for an album and let the wedding professional design a beautiful story that flows and presents your wedding day pictures in the way it deserves.
7) Not reserving Michael Kitada Photography.
Michael has over 20 years in the photography field with 17 years as a staff photographer for the Orange County Register and also 10 simultaneous years as a wedding photojournalist. Capturing moments, not posed and stiff brides and grooms in Orange County, Southern California and the nation for the past 10 years. Your wants and needs are met and crafted into a package that resonates with the special day that you deserve. For more information: www.michaelkitada.com
posted by Michael Kitada at
10:01 AM
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