I came across this article last week & really thought it’d be helpful for those out there who are in the middle of a choosing a photographer, but are having difficulties. It explains it so well & includes details I think many forget or just don’t realize. I hope this is useful for many.
What is the difference between the less expensive and more expensive photographers?
There are many factors that come into play when a photographer is setting his or her prices. Here is a snapshot of some of the biggest factors, in no particular order…
1. Experience The longer a photographer has been shooting weddings, the more training he or she has had, and the more weddings he or she has photographed, the more the price will increase.
2. Value Part of the price involves the value the photographer places on her time, skill, and art. You may find a really phenomenal photographer at a lower price simply because they undervalue their work, or are not as confident as some others. Photographers who sacrifice a lot to shoot weddings on the weekends may charge more because they value that time away so much.
3. Cost Photographers who use the best equipment, the best labs, and the most wonderful albums will usually charge more because those things are so much more expensive. Where she is located, whether or not he has a studio space, what she includes in her packages, whether or not he shoots film or has employees, and how much time she spends working on each wedding can all effect the price a photographer charges.
4. Supply & Demand Just as with any business, demand for the product will influence the price. If a photographer is wildly popular and hundreds of brides are seeking him out for their weddings, he will raise his prices. Supply is a big factor here as well. A photographer who will only shoot 20 weddings in a year needs to charge more than a photographer who shoots 60, because each wedding is more critical to his or her overall income.
So then how do you choose your photographer?
The first thing you have to do is figure out what you are looking for! Are you looking for someone to show up at the wedding, take pictures, give you a disc of images and be done? Would you rather have a photographer who takes the time to get to know you and helps you through the whole process from booking to receiving your album? Do you want multiple photographers at your wedding, an engagement session, or a big album when it’s all said and done? Do you want a few portraits and some shots of the ceremony, or are you looking for someone to document the entire day in an artistic way? Look around and get a sense of what you would really like to have so you know what your needs are and can find a photographer who will meet (or better yet, exceed) them.
Another important factor is what can you afford? Set an estimated budget for photography, and then look for a photographer in your price range who can give you what you’re looking for. As you set your budget though, consider what is most important to you. If photography is what really matters to you, it may be worth getting less expensive flowers, a slightly smaller cake, or finding other ways to reduce your costs in order to hire the right photographer. It pains me to hear stories of brides who booked a cheap photographer and ended up hating their wedding photos. Think about how upset you’d be if that happened to you – the more upset you’d be, the more important the photos really are to you. The photographs are all that remain after the wedding except the marriage, so if you’re going to cut costs anywhere, don’t cut them in photography!
The last, and perhaps most important factor is to find a photographer whose work you love. You should be able to connect with the images on his or her site and albums, even if you can’t explain why. If you don’t love his or her photos, you probably aren’t going to love YOUR photos! Just as important as finding a photographer who takes photos that you love is finding a photographer who you like as a person. Hire the photographer who you connect with, who you TRUST, and you’ll enjoy hanging out with at your wedding! Connecting with your photographer can make as much difference in the photographs as anything else. I take the best photographs when I really love the people I’m shooting, and when we really get along well.
When you find what you’re looking for, at a price you can afford, from a photographer who you connect with and whose work you love – you’ve found the right photographer!
**credit for this article goes to:
http://www.onewed.com/blog/savvy-scoop/2009/03/06/worth-good-wedding-photographer
(need to copy & paste)
