Danielle Vennard Photographer LLC
Southern Chester County PA
Landenberg, PA 19350
717-701-0363
Guide for Brides
Basics for Choosing your Wedding Photographer
Welcome!
First off I would like to extend my most sincere congratulations to you and your fiance on your engagement. Now the fun has begun in creating your perfect wedding. If you are visiting this page then choosing the right photographer is very important to you. Every photographer is different and will offer you a unique experience. So how do you find the right one for you?
Here are my personal suggestions on how to do just that!
Hire a Wedding Planner
A wedding planner's job is to understand the vision that is your wedding day. It's also their job to make recommendations of who you may work best with. They should be able to show you the different styles offered from their list of prefered photographers. They should direct you to several options within a style group to ensure the best possible match.
Ask Around!
Family and Friends are always willing to suggest someone who they have had a great experience with. Don't be afraid to try social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter as they are great resources for getting referrals.
Style
Determine your favorite style of wedding photography based on what evokes those emotions. Each style requires a different type of involvement for the photographer. Your photographer may use a combination of these styles to truly capture the essence of your day.
A. Traditional - Posed shots that require a lot of directing by the photographer
B. Photojournalism/Documentary - Natural moments that have no direct involvement from the photographer with the subjects unaware of the camera
C. Contemporary - Fashion shots - artistic shots with a lot of set up of lighting
D. Informal - Candid shots with subjects aware of the camera
View Photographs
View your potential photographer's websites if available to determine whether their style is what you are looking for.
Call them Up!
Contact those photographer's that appeal to you and set up a meeting. (Do not feel obligated to sign any contracts that day.) I can't stress enough that it is important to know whether or not you "click" with their personality. This goes for the photographer as well. He or she wants to be certain they are comfortable working with you as well. Are they excited about your day? Are they passionate about wedding photography? Could you envision them as a friend at your wedding?
Points of Interest
A. Ask to view their sample albums. If you feel emotions looking at a stranger's wedding photos just imagine if they were yours!
B. View the historical/posed shots to look for good facial expressions and no distractions
C. Is the photographer a member of a professional association? (Professional Photographers of America; Wedding and Portrait Photographers International)
D. Do they carry insurance?
E. Will they be photographing or send an associate to capture your day? Or have an associate on hand as well? One person can't be in more than one place at a time. It may be more satisfying to know your day is well covered. What is the other photographer's style?
F. How do you get to view your photos once the editing is finished? (proof album, CD/DVD with files, online gallery, a private viewing session)
G. Do they recommend an engagement session to become more comfortable with working together for your big day?
H. Albums - Are they premade or custom? Sizes? Pages? # of Photos? Parent albums?
I. $Price$ - Is this a major concern for you? What is a photograph (moment) worth to you? Do you have a budget? Do they fit into your budget? If not are they willing to compromise? Do they offer packages? Are the packages all inclusive or are there after sales costs? Can they custom fit a package for you? Will they allow you to purchase albums or prints down the road if you need to keep costs down? Do they offer payment plans?
Price Breakdown
A. Preparation time
B. Photographing (Engagement Session, Rehearsal Dinner, Wedding Prep, Ceremony, Details, Rehearsal)
C. Second Photographer
D. Equipment
E. Post (Editing, Gallery, Album)
F. Their skills and experience of capturing once in a lifetime moments
Price Categories
What category do you fit into? To help you determine this ask yourself one question - How important is it that your moments are saved forever?
1. Free - $0
A. Family member or friend
B. Experience with a camera?
C. Experience in knowing the flow of a wedding?
D. Do they have enough batteries, memory, back up equipment in case of a failure?
E. Experience in editing the photos? Is the color correct?
F. If something went wrong and your photos were lost would you be able to deal with the loss or would it strain your relationship with that person?
*If you have concerns with any of these points you may want to look into someone with experience*
2. Budget - Estimated $500 - $900
A. Cheap wedding photographer
B. Low cost but also limited in time and equipment
C. Traditional style with limited coverage - Ceremony & posed formals
D. Album? 15-20 photos in a ready-made small album
E. no additional products
3. Mid-Range - Estimated $1000 - $1500
A. More coverage - getting ready, ceremony, reception
B. More photos - 30-80 photos in a small album
C. Custom Album
D. Online gallery to view, purchase prints, Proof DVD with files
4. Upper Mid-Range - Estimated $2500 - $5000
A. Engagement Session/Rehearsal dinner coverage
B. All day coverage
C. 2 photographers
D. Photos - 50-100 photos in an album of various size
E. Album - Custom made, hand-made, branded album
F. Online gallery, framed prints, proof album/DVD of proofs, parent albums
5. High End - Estimated $8000 - $18,000 +
A. Buying a name, internationally known
B. The sky is the limit!
C. All day coverage
D. 2 photographers
*Lower packages may not guarantee their presence as the photographer
E. Photos - 50-100 in album of various size
F. Album - Custom made, Branded, Album of your dreams!
G. Extras - the works - online gallery, proof book, photo private viewing session, framed prints, multiple albums
Skills and Experience
- Weekend Warrior? Part time? Full time?
- What is their commitment to making you a happy customer?
- Does their time frame for providing you access to your photos, receiving your files, and getting your wedding album/book line up with your expectations?
- Individual or part of a Studio?
- Do they understand the general flow of a wedding?
- Did they study under another wedding photographer/studio?
- What is their vision?
- Does it fit what you are looking for in capturing one of the most important days of your life?
Conclusion
How important is it that your most special moments of your wedding day are captured forever? The photographer of your choice should match your vision of how you want your day to be captured. Do you want a photographer who is involved in every shot and directing you on how to pose? Or would you rather he/she remain non-directive and capture more intimate moments without being obtrusive? Do you require a photographer with more than one style perhaps? Meet with more than one photographer to get a better idea of what you may desire in your photographer. Pick a photographer that you will work well with. Make sure they are passionate about their work or it becomes just another job for them and less fun for the both of you. Could you see being potentially friends when it is all said and done?
Information provided is a helpful guide for you the bride to finding the right photographer. Actual experience for you may vary and may even deviate from what is given. Know that every photographer is different and comes with an individual experience.
Thank you for visiting and taking the time to gain some insight. If you have any questions or would like to educate me on an experience of your own feel free to contact me. A link to my contact page is provided below. If you found any of this information helpful please do your friends a favor and pass on the love!
Sincerely,
Danielle Vennard