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Selecting a Wedding Photographer

Selecting a Wedding Photographer can be a difficult and confusing part of planning one of the most special days of your life! Few couples have experience securing the services of a professional photographer or commissioning an artist to create a body of work. However choosing your photographer ranks among the most important decisions involved in making this day as special as you have always hoped it would be. Absolutely nothing is more disappointing than a rude or pushy photographer and less than beautiful and professional quality photographs! That makes doing some homework an important part of the process.

Determining your Preferences
Our studio receives phone calls daily from brides-to-be asking the only question they know to ask. How much do you charge for wedding photography? While asking cost is a legitimate question, itšs not the only one and believe it or not , it is not necessarily the most important question.

I ask many of the couples that visit our studio what qualities, in a wedding photographer, would make them say this is the studio for us. You may be surprised at the lack of answers and number of blank expressions I receive when I ask that question. Putting a little thought into what you are looking for and asking your married friends what they liked and didnšt like about their wedding photography experience, before you visit a studio, will go a long way in helping to determining the right studio for you.

Qualities to look for in a Professional
Most professions are tightly regulated by either the government or by that professions governing organizations ( i.e.. Doctors, lawyers, real estate agents, even hair dressers.) However photographers are free to call themselves "professional" without formal education, experience, or professional credentials!

This is where the challenge comes in. You need to know that all photographers are not the same. You must separate the people that think they can do the job, from the proven and talented experts with the credentials and track record to back up their claims.

Few wedding photographers start their career with a formal education in professional photography, but understanding the "nuts and bolts" of this highly technical processes is the cornerstone of quality images . Look for a photographer that went to school!

Experience is the vital ingredient that comes after time spent learning theory in class. Every day experience working with real brides under real wedding day conditions is what hones your photographer into the competent pro he or she needs to be on YOUR wedding day. Look for an educated photographer with many years of experience!

Professional accreditation from governing organizations such as the Professional Photographers of America, Professional Photographers of Pennsylvania and Wedding and Portrait Photographers International assures you that your wedding photographeršs skills, knowledge and experience have been tested and kept up to date through continuing education. Would you go to a doctor if he didnšt meet all of these standards?

Full time status is also a consideration when comparing and contrasting photographers. Full time professionals that specialize in wedding photography place a high priority on their work and reputation. They have to, satisfied customers are what keep them in business. You need to question part-time photographers whošs priority needs to be with their "real" job.

Do you like the Studiošs work?
After all that being said, you must like what you see in a photographers sample photographs! High technical quality in professional photographs is a minimum requirement, not a standard by which to choose a studio. Photographs must have excellent color balance, razor sharp focus on the subject, proper exposure, quality and creative lighting with attention to illumination on important backgrounds. Attention to posing (comfortable looking not stiff and artificial), facial expressions, lack of distracting items in the photograph, creative ideas, and meaningful candid photographs should be part of a photographers samples and more important their every day work. Remember you are hiring an artist to record your precious wedding memories. This person will be given only ONE chance and often a fraction of a second to capture those special moments. A competent professional with an excellent reputation is your best assurance of satisfaction and money well spent.

Ask Questions, Ask Questions, did I say Ask Questions?
You can come up with your own, but here are a few suggestions:

• Who will photograph your wedding? The owner or an associate?
• Can you see samples of that photographers work?
• Is there a limit on the photographers time?
• Is there a limit on the number of photographs that will be taken?
• Does the photographer have an assistant or do they work alone?
• How are the photographer (and assistant) attired?
• Is a studio portrait session included?
• Ask about options and extras!
• What is the time schedule for completion of the album?
• Does the studio/photographer have business liability insurance?
• Does the photographer do "Studio type" portraits at the reception?
• Is Black and White photography included in the wedding day coverage?

Equipment:

• Do they use high quality medium format cameras?
• Minimum TWO of every piece of equipment as backup!

Price List:

• Is it clear or confusing?
• Must you commit to a given package before the wedding?
• Flexibility (can you change the packages)?
• Do the prices change next year when my wedding approaches?
• Does the contract spell out rights and responsibilities that are easy to understand?

How soon should I get serious about all of this?
Today would be good!! Talented professional photographers are busy booking the wedding dates of wise future brides and grooms throughout the greater Lehigh Valley, especially for the peak wedding months of May, June, Sept. and Oct.

Taking a chance by waiting to start interviewing photographers may mean your choices will be limited to only those few still available. A full year before the wedding date is not to soon to reserve a studios services.

More Questions?
Feel free to contact me at PENCHICK PHOTOGRAPHY at 610-838-6854 or through our web site at www.penchickphoto.com! We will be glad to answer any question about professional photography. After all we have been helping brides and grooms create photographic memories for over twenty two years!

Hellertown Photographer Robert Penchick holds a degree in professional photography from the Antonelli Institute of Art and Photography and is a Certified Professional Photographer, through the Professional Photographers of America and Professional Photographers of Pennsylvania.