How to Choose your Wedding Photographer

Most photographers ("pg") charge a fee for their photoshoot, and the digital photos are delivered on a CD or DVD. You may get a small 4R plastic album with 200-300 4R photo prints depending on the fee charged by the pg.

Pg charging $500 usually are free-lancing i.e. they may hv full-time jobs and do photography at week-ends. Some are b/w jobs. Given the low fee, they only offer the basic digital photos on CDs, without any prints. Shoot fees varies from $500 to $1,200 for free-lance photographers.

Then there are those full-time photographers i.e. they do photography full-time, giving up professional careers in IT, engineering, etc bcoz they love photography. These normally charge $1,500 upwards entry-level ; more seasoned full-time photographers charge $3k-5k (mid-range) and above $5k for the higher end. Their shoot fees come with free 4R albums with 200-300 prints and also on CDs/DVDs. They also provide other services such as arranging studio mug shots, pre-wedding day and post-wedding shoots for add'l fee, ranging from $500 upwards. Wedding albums are extra, ranging from $500-$800 up for a basic 15-page album, depending on your choice of albums (leather cover, silk cover, embossed badging, etc).

OK - next, how does one choose his AD (='Actual Day') photographer? You pay good $$$, so how can you be sure you get good photography? You know, photos that speak to you, warm your heart and soul, stir up sweet memories, and make you glow with pride each time you look at yr wedding photos several years on? tongue.gif

Test the Photographer
Easy, in 3 easy steps!!

First, ask the guy to take photos of you and yr WTB right there when you first meet up with him. That's what we do - we ask our prospects to check us out first, before they commit. What to check? Well, are the photos clear and sharp? Do they "speak" to you? In other words, do you like what they have shot of you and yr WTB? That's the first step - some photographers have the ability to shoot photos that clients like immediately. Whereas others take photos of you that are run-of-the-mill. Yes the photos may be sharp and clear, but they don't "speak" to you. "Something" is missing, you don't feel the spark, the impact. It's more visceral, a visual impact. Of course, if the guy produces photos that are blur, too bright, washed out - you don't have to consider further. Simply thank him and walk off!

Second - and this separates the boys from the men - most free-lancers do not possess the skills yet to pass this hurdle. And that is to take photos in situations where the sitter is in the dressing room, or in the bridal car, etc. and the sun is shining brightly. That is, situations where the light is harsh and contrasty. Ask yr photographer to shoot your wife-to-be against the window light in the room, or shoot so that the print includes part or all of the room window. The result you get is usually an image that is brightly or correctly flash-exposed for the sitter, but the window looks washed out. Many customers don't know, so they accept such photos as a given. If you accept such contrasty, brightly lit shots for your wedding album, fine. But if you want quality photos that will give you pride and joy, look elsewhere. That is not to say all contrasty shots are bad. Some pg do use light creatively e.g. silhouette of subject against sun for the glare and creative impact. Particularly for mood or grunt-type shots, to play on e.g. cigarette smoke or joss-stick smoke, etc against the light. But few are able to pull off such shots successfully.

Reason for poor bright and contrasty flash-lit shots is because most photographers simply shoot using the "auto" mode. Which is fine for normal contrast situations. But in rooms with window light light - usual in bridal makeup / dressing room - the window will look washed out. Why? Well, Bcoz it takes manual camera exposure and good understanding of light to produce photos that look natural - as if they were shot without flash. Nothing looks washed-out. The shots have impact and perfect balance. I'll show photo examples on my blog when I hv time to do that.

You know, not all photographers, free-lance or professional have acquired that skill level, yet. It's not difficult but it takes years of training, knowledge and experience to produce that kind of photos.

Third - once yr intended photographer has passed yr shoot-test, ask him to show what he does with the digital photos on-screen. Test how well he edits the image i.e. his digital imaging skills. Quality prints these days depend on excellent digital developing/retouching skills. Many still don't cut it. It is not easy for many photographers to master Photoshop, the main software used in photo-editing and retouching. See the "before" and "after" effect done on yr photo, and you'll be able to gauge his level of editing skills. Some excused themselves by saying they do minimum "photoshopping" - implying that theirs is more "natural", and photoshop is only for poor shooters. That's not true. You only have to go on the Net to see many professional photographers today can't do without photoshop skills e.g. Yervant. Others are Cliff Mautner or JD Gardner, both my favs!

BTW - pl don't assume free-lancers aren't skillful or talented bcoz they charge low. Some will surprise you with their knowledge and skill level. You only have to go to flicker to see so many wonderful excellent photos, most by amateurs! Likewise don't dismiss local free-lancers. They have both the photo-shooting skills and the computer skills. And to top it all, they charge a low fee. At the other end on-line portfolios of full-time photographers show some don't possess the skills yet to shoot and edit good photos. I believe our pg's will improve if you as the customer are more discerning and knowledgeable in choosing yr AD pg's - hence this post to share my thoughts. Finally, our local professional photographers are able to compete with the best-in-the-world, and they have been showcased by the industry and the media. Get to know them, take pride in their work, support them. You'll not go wrong if you choose them for yr wedding. After all, money can be earned, but not memories. Especially wedding memories that make you all teary and nostalgic many years on. Unless they were poorly shot and are best hidden away! laugh.gif

So now you know. Test the photographer to ensure you get what you pay for!

Cheers!