Hey what do you know, we are entering the peak of wedding season once again. I swear the year just seems to fly sometimes. Maybe because I love what I do for a living! I have noticed many people asking some of the same questions and have decided to do an FAQ for wedding photography!!! So here you go!
What are the advantages of hiring a professional?
A professional photographer will be timely – arriving at your wedding promptly, and make sure you have quality products. A professional has just the right equipment and film for photographing your wedding. Having attended many weddings, an experienced wedding photographer will be at ease at your wedding. A professional uses a color laboratory that is in the business of meeting high professional standards of print quality. And, a professional is used to working with individuals, couples, and groups to make the formal photography go smoothly. When you think about the cost of photography, remember that the photographer’s fee is only part of your investment: You, your parents, your extended family and your friends will be investing time with the photographer during your wedding. Don’t waste time on your wedding day with a photographer who won’t produce results you love!
What is the first question I should ask a photographer?
First establish that the photographer is available for your date and location. Then you will want to ask, “If we select your studio, will you be the photographer covering our wedding?” Some studios have several photographers and you may be speaking to a salesperson. The sample albums may have been done by photographers who do not even work for the studio anymore. If this is the case, you should make arrangements to meet with and see the work of the particular photographer who will be doing your wedding. You should also ask for a commitment from the studio to that effect, in writing.
Shouldn’t I be asking “What do I get and how much does it cost?”
Even shopping for shoes or furniture you wouldn’t ask that question until you find the style and quality you like. After you have looked through a photographer’s portfolio – seeing candids, formals and illustrative pictures, you will know if this photographer has the technique, style and spirit to be the eyes through which you and your children will see your wedding day. Of course, you should determine if the photographer is within your budget, give or take a little, but what you really want from photography is memories and feeling. Look for an established and reliable photographer whose work moves you, whose technical quality is tops. If you find a photographer who makes you happy, you never will regret your investment, whatever the dollar cost. When we have invested in items that will be with us for the rest of our lives, our satisfaction has been highest when we have paid that extra bit for the best quality.
So, how much does wedding photography cost?
Prices range from $950 to $10,000, and even more! Photographs (and maybe video) will be your only permanent record of the day. You want good photographs, so be prepared to spend a minimum of $1,500. Reprints will begin at $15 to $45 each. Expect better photographers to charge the higher rates. In other words, it is reasonable for an unexperienced photographer to charge you as little as $10 for a print. And, it is reasonable for an excellent photographer to charge you $40 for a print of the same size. That is because you are getting better service and a better product from the experienced professional. If you are looking for a bargain and shop via phone for pricing, you are following a recipe for poor to mediocre photography. My research indicates that photography runs between nine and fifteen percent of the total wedding budget. When couples value photography highly and are on a limited budget, they will spend up to 30% of their wedding budget on photography.
We want to spend no more than $1,500, but all the good photographers start at $2,000 and up. Why is it so expensive?
Because photography is not a commodity, it is a well honed art. Because some people can see the difference between poor photography and good photography, and they are willing to pay for it. Because to make a living at photography, the artist must gross an average of $3,000 to $6,000 per wedding. Because if the not-good-enough-yet photographers charged more than $1,500 he/she would never get a chance to practice at a real wedding. Because a professional photographer knows that his/her expenses and overhead, even with digital photography, even with the smallest package, are $1,500 to $2,000 per wedding.
We’re having a small wedding, with thirty people, and only wanted to spend $1,500 on pictures. What can we do?
The first thing to do if you want a professional photographer under these circumstances is to be flexible. A true wedding professional only can only work so many weekends a year, and reasonably expects one or two large weddings per weekend from May through October, or year round in tropical climates. If he/she reserves a prime Saturday or Sunday in October for you, then larger weddings will have to be turned away. If your budget is small, you will be choosing from the second and third tiers of wedding photographers. If you plan your wedding in the evening or especially early in the day, you might find a photographer who can fit you in after or before another event, and thus be able to work with your budget. Unfortunately, when you are limiting yourself to a smaller photo budget you can expect lower quality photographs.
What does Mari’s Paradise Images charge for a Saturday or Sunday Wedding?
Costs, which include an album and proofs, perhaps even the high-resolution files, start at $2,500.
What technical details in sample photographs should I watch out for?
Lighting quality is an important ingredient in superior photographs. The light in photographs should be natural and flattering, so that the pictures look three-dimensional. Overuse of on-camera flash can ruin wedding pictures. Watch out for flattened faces, harsh reflections off of cheeks and foreheads, and dark shadows directly behind or next to the subjects. With finesse, a fine photographer can work with almost any outdoor lighting situation without using flash.Look for a variety in subject size – a mix of distant, medium and close-up pictures. Even with groups, lighting and posing should be interesting. The well posed bridal portrait should minimize the subjects’ flaws (weight problem, blemishes, etc.) and express who the subject is and how he/she/they feel. The dramatic and scenic wedding image, like the red convertable on the show-room floor, attracts everyone’s attention, but most brides and their families, like most car buyers, want what suits them personally. You want pictures that tell the story simply, with immediate impact, and as if the photographer was not even there.
Some photographers ask that no one else take pictures during the formal photography. Is that reasonable?
Yes. If the photographer is trying to work quickly through a series of formal pictures, a snap-shooter might slow the process. A problem arises when there are several cameras aimed at a formal group – the subjects will be looking at different lenses. The diverted attention will ruin the professional’s picture. Or, if the professional is using a light-sensing trigger device (“slave”) on a second flash, other flashes will trigger this flash, ruining the pictures [that you are paying for] and wasting battery power. There are many other reasons why a professional might ask others to refrain from picture taking during formals. On the other hand, many guests find snapping a few pictures a pleasant part of attending weddings, so it should not be a big deal for your professional to be relaxed and let people snap away when formals are over. Ideally, guests should show respect for the bridal party and photographer and put down their cameras during the formal photos.
I want to make copies of my photos. Does my photographer really own the copyright of his/her pictures? Do I still have to pay the photographer if I make the copies myself at a copy shop?
Yes and yes. According to federal law, images produced by a professional photographer are copyrighted the moment they are created. Federal law prohibits copying or reproducing copyrighted material without permission from the owner of the copyright, i.e., the photographer. If you copy or scan your photos, the photographer should be paid just as if you were buying reprints. If you or your videographer transfer the proofs to videotape, the photographer should be paid just as if you were buying reprints. If you don’t feel comfortable paying for these copies, find a photographer whose work is so good that you are glad to pay. When I really appreciate something I purchase, like a purse, my child’s education, a good pair of shoes, or even medical care, I do not mind paying a premium for getting the highest quality. Look for the photographer who will provide you the satisfaction of paying for job well done.
Well, I hope this has answered a few questions for some folks. And please contact me at mari@destinweddingphotographer.com if you have any more questions you want answered!
Now on the the big news! We have added new a best of new wedding video! It is a compilation of some of our most fun weddings. Come and check them out!
Here it is….the moment all of you have been waiting for. We may even add some more images that I may have forgotten!! It’s the Mari’s Paradise Images best of ’09 Wedding Photography!! Oh okay….so you have me. I do love all of my couples and it took SOOOO long to cull through images for the best of. I wanted to put them all online, but well…I don’t think anyone has time to look at ALL of those images! So without further ado…here they are!!!!
I just loved Amanda's southern elegance at Eden State Gardens!
Ashley had some great details!!
Asha, Abby and Kelly three great girls!
Studman Elvis Jr. danced at Kara and Jason's wedding as Regina was sexy in Seaside!
Anne's Apalachicola bouquet and Tara's moonlight poses!!
Megan and Sean....awww so cute! Loren...one of the most beautiful bridals of the year!
I love guys who are man enough to show emotion!!
Sabrina and Mavi, Asha and Mike's great departure and Bethany's "breast stroke"
The Emerald Grande is a great wedding destination!
The bouquet toss is also a sporting event. Love the beautiful Ashley and flower girl!
This is how he proposed to her on the side of the road
Love the tin can phone
Linda and Chad's wedding aisle kiss...so romantic. Regina looks awesome in the Seaside Pavillion.
Vivid colors are a must!
A kiss is just a kiss....unless it's on your wedding day then it's the best in the world.
This is from a great wedding I second shot with Candice K!
I love this image.... I call it "Jump Start"
Megan and Sean wanted to do this after the first kiss at the alter. It was cute.
I love the graphics in all of these. New Orleans makes some pretty images.
I would love to see you here in the '10 Best of Weddings!~
Jennifer and Tyler are one of those couples that you can immediately see sharing a lifetime together. I can’t really explain it, but they just have that soulmate mojo working for them. Anyway, I like it! So, their wedding story is pretty interesting. They had their wedding at the ever fantastic Emerald Grande at the exact same time as the Destin Seafood Festival made the return to the harbor. Yes, a venue with very little parking to begin with was hosting an event predicted to bring in tens of thousands of people. But the hotel was prepared and the wedding went off without a hitch! Whoot whoot! They said their vows amid some georgous arrangements by Celestines as random flocks of seagulls passed over. The couple got married on Norriega Point to cheers of boaters and spectators and then the reception was on the Captain’s Deck, a nice airy area. As couples danced to the music provided by American DJ Zoran, the fireworks lit up the night sky giving everyone a reason to kiss. And thus ended another perfect wedding day on the Emerald Coast!
Here is a sneak peek at Jennifer and Tyler’s wedding this weekend. The Brandi and the Emerald Grande crew rocked it out even with the added challenge of the seafood festival on property. The evening ended with fireworks for the couple. More to come soon!!
Hey all of you engaged couples all over the country…can you guess what I am about to announce just by looking at the headline? Oh I bet you did, it’s the hot discounts for all of you cool couples with fall and winter weddings!! I know what you’re thinking, how sick it would be to get some awesome wedding photography for a discount. But how much of a discount could it really be? Try 30% for weddings between December 1, 2009 and March 30, 2010!! Let me excite you some more…you could be getting over a $2,000 discount. Yes, I said it….you can get over $2,000 off on a fantastic wedding package by an award winning, fun, hip and experienced photojournalist …unbelievable!!Hurry, book now!! There are a very limited number of weekends until March 30th when this offer expires!!
Jennifer and Tyler will be married at the Emerald Grande next month. They are such a cute couple and that combined with a great venue I can hardly wait!!
In the meantime Jennifer came down to Destin to do her bridals this week. You had better not be reading past this point Tyler!! She had some fantastic makeup done by Cleo Spielberg at the Spa at the Grande and a dress that was stunning and not the same old strapless A-line we have seen all year. Since the weather was inclimate, we did many of our images inside and around the immediate exterior of the Grande. It was a beautiful shoot indeed!
Well, I gave you a sneak preview earlier in the week of Kyle and Abby’s wedding at the Emerald Grande, now here’s the real blog.
With both her mother and future mother-in-law along with her two bridesmaids, Abby got ready at the Spa at Emerald Grande. It was awesome. There were so many things to photograph. She and her moms shared laughter and happy tears as they got ready together.
The wedding was simple but so intimate and elegant. With only six people in attendance, Kyle watched as his bride came down the stairway with her father. He shed tears of joy upon the first glimpse of Abby. It was so sweet and poignant. It was a simple ceremony, Kyle and Abby wrote their own vows straight from the heart and the sunlight filtered over the Captain’s deck onto the small but joyous crowd. As they kissed….and oh what a kiss…onlookers clapped and cheered from balconies above.
After the ceremony we went to one of the secluded area beaches where we made some really fun images. I hope they have a lifetime of health and happiness together!!!
As promised…here’s a super small sneak peek of Abby and Kyle’s wedding. It was so intimate and loving…their families love them so much! I was honored to have been chosen as the person to document their day! Since Kyle proposed to sweet Abby in the middle of a highway, it was fun to do a type of recreation of that on their wedding night. And of course…it’s not a fun picture until everyone jumps
Standby with baited breath!! There will be more blogs to follow this week!!
Here we go again. Gosh, everything falls on the same dates I swear!!
In case you didn’t know, I have been selected as one of a very small handful of photographers in the Florida Panhandle to be honored with membership to the Wedding Photojournalists Association. There are only five photographers in the entire Panhandle of Florida and southern areas of Alabama and Georgia who have been chosen to become members of this elite organization.
Here is a blurb from the WPJA to brides and grooms that describe their membership:
WOULD YOU TRUST FOREVER TO JUST ANYONE?
The WPJA puts the world’s best wedding photography at your fingertips. We offer a new perspective on wedding photography – quietly capturing the real moments as they happen for the bride and groom.
It is our goal to use photography to tell the story of your wedding day, not dictate it for you.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Membership in the WPJA depends entirely on photographers meeting our high standards for inclusion. OneCANNOT simply pay his/her way into the WPJA. We emphasize this is NOT another ad-driven wedding web site.
Anyway, it is time for the second quarterly contest. Our catagories are:
1)Getting Ready
2)Ceremony
3)Reception
4)Kids being kids
5)Ring Details
6)Emotion
7)Emotion
8)Cake Cutting
9)Transportation
10)Creative Portrait
11)Trash the dress Portrait
No Photoshop special effects may be used, no textures or filters. The images except for the rings and the creative portraits must be just as we found them.
Below you’ll find my entries … Post comments below to let me know what you think!!
Sabrina will finally wed her sweetheart Mavi this month. He is going to melt when he sees his fun, beautiful princess in her wedding dress. The fabric is awesome and has a wonderful flow. I can’t wait for the wedding!
Hurry, book now!! There are a very limited number of weekends until March 30th when this offer expires!!
Well, I gave you a sneak preview earlier in the week of Kyle and Abby’s wedding at the Emerald Grande, now here’s the real blog.
