The Wedding Photog Blog

Latest

15 Questions for a Wedding Photographer #13; What Equipment Should A Photographer Have?

15 Questions Brides Want to Know About Wedding Photography #2

One of the interesting parts of being a professional in a field for a while is you get requests from the media for comment on events, or topics relevant to that field. Recently I was asked to answer some questions for an upcoming book geared towards future brides.

I was one of several professionals who were asked questions specifically for wedding photography, so I don’t think I’ll be spoiling anything by revealing my answers, since I’m sure they’ll use others for some of the 15 answers, plus I wasn’t asked anything about catering, or how to preform a traditional religious ceremony.

I’ll be sure to post up link when the book is published, but for now I’ll be spreading the questions and my answers (plus maybe a little extra) out over the next 15 days.

Question #13

What equipment should a wedding photographer have?

If you paying for a professional, they should have professional gear and they should have backups for the most essential parts. No less than 2 cameras, 2 flashes and at least as many lenses if not more. There are sensor sizes, mega-bytes sizes and specs for lenses & camera bodies that could take up a whole page. This doesn’t mean they need the top of the line and newest gear though. Essentially having the best camera in the world won’t help make a better photo and at the end of the day, you’d rather want talent behind a consumer camera, than a dud behind an expensive one.

Having the best equipment doesn't matter if you don't have a backup.

Coming up tomorrow

Question #14

Do prices typically vary for off-season or weekday weddings?

Previous Questions

#12 How should a couple determine their wedding photography budget?

www.VincentDavidJohnson.com

March 13, 2012 | Categories: Advice | Tags: bad, cameras, equipment, good, must have, photographers | 1 Comment »

15 Questions for a Wedding Photographer #12; Determining Your Budget for Photography

15 Questions Brides Want to Know About Wedding Photography #2

I’ll be sure to post up link when the book is published, but for now I’ll be spreading the questions and my answers (plus maybe a little extra) out over the next 15 days.

Question #12

How should a couple determine their wedding photography budget?

There is no magic number here. It’s really about how important photography is to the couple and it can also come down to what a couple wants from their wedding photography. I tell each couple there are three things that last after your wedding; the rings, the photos and your love for one another. Basically nobody is going to remember in a year if you had the top shelf liquor at your wedding, but you’ll remember if you didn’t get the best photographer you could afford, so it really should be the last place you try to save money at.

Coming up tomorrow

Question #13

What equipment should a wedding photographer have?

Previous Questions

#11 What should a couple beware of with certain wedding photographers?

www.VincentDavidJohnson.com

March 12, 2012 | Categories: Advice | Tags: budget, determining, help, ideas, photography, wedding | 1 Comment »

15 Questions for a Wedding Photographer #11; Beware of Certain Photographers

15 Questions Brides Want to Know About Wedding Photography #2

I’ll be sure to post up link when the book is published, but for now I’ll be spreading the questions and my answers (plus maybe a little extra) out over the next 15 days.

Question #11

What should a couple beware of with certain wedding photographers?

While rare, although not as rare as I’d like, the biggest concern would be that the work the photographer is presenting as their own, is actually copied from other photographer’s websites. This however can be extremely hard to find out. A more common bait & switch is performed by studios who show work from photographers who no longer work for them. The other is when a photographer is really only good at one, or two types of photos.

A great way to flush both of these pitfalls out is to ask for samples of at least 100-300 images form a wedding that is completely their work, or the work of the photographer you’ll be working with. I have seen a lot of wedding portfolios with great artistic colored details shots of flowers, but lack any real candid moments. A couple who recently booked me mentioned that several of the photographers they looked at seemed more concern with the skyline in the background of the posed photos than the bride & groom.

Here’s a great post from Chicago Tribune photojournalist Alex Garcia, giving 7 solid tips on things to look out for when hiring a wedding photographer.
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/assignment-chicago/2012/02/photographers-you-shouldnt-hire-for-your-wedding.html

Coming up tomorrow

Question #12

How should a couple determine their wedding photography budget?

Previous Questions

#10 What should a couple look for in a wedding photographer?

www.VincentDavidJohnson.com

March 11, 2012 | Categories: Advice | Tags: bad photographers, beware, hiring, photographers, tips | 1 Comment »

15 Questions for a Wedding Photographer #10; What to look for in a Photographer

15 Questions Brides Want to Know About Wedding Photography #2

I’ll be sure to post up link when the book is published, but for now I’ll be spreading the questions and my answers (plus maybe a little extra) out over the next 15 days.

Question #10

What should a couple look for in a wedding photographer?

The first thing they should look for is an actual photographer. Photography is an art, you shouldn’t first talk to a sales person, then meet your photographer after you picked your package. Once you find a photographer who’s work you like, find out if you like the photographer. I tell couples all the time, if you like my price & my portfolio, but don’t like me… Walk away. You’ll be with your photographer more than any other person on your wedding day and if you don’t feel you have a connection, think twice about booking them.

In the era of online reviews I have had less & less requests for referrals from my past couples. While chances are a photographer isn’t going to refer you to a person who had a less than perfect experience, you’ll still be able to get a feel from the little details in the conversation. If someone you know gives you a good review about the photographer they used, look into it even if it’s a little over your budget. Better to pay 10-15% more on a photographer with a personal referral than to have bad photos.

: Word of mouth is often the best way to find a photographer. If you have a photographer personally recommended by someone treat it like a golden ticket.