Question and Answer

So I realized I really don't blog enough! So my goal for 2010 is to get this blog a little more interesting and helpful to all. So I have decided to make a post once a week with helpful wedding ideas, questions and answers, Ask a Bride/Groom and much more.

So today, is QUESTION Day. Who better than to survery than my 500 facebook group members. Thanks to all for being a part of it and if you aren't please feel free to join.

1. What do you look for in a Wedding/Portrait Photographer?
We had not even begun to search for a photographer but when we saw Sherry's pictures, we were sold. Your pictures were different (good different...we didn't want pictures of the groom holding up a poster for an escort with no pants on...) they were creative (b&w with certain colours highlighted) and you were able to capture 'moments' - not just poses.
that being said, once we saw your price, what you were offering (a DVD not pictures that we would need to purchase through you), and met you we were sold.

2. Does a higher price mean better images?
not necessarily but i must say that I think you are under priced. You did an amazing job editing and handed over the pictures so we could go where ever we wanted to get them developed. the quality was amazing but equally important is the editing. if you have or planned to raise your price and people question it, remind them of the fact that you spend countless hours editing every eyelash (which you did on ours!)

and

3. When your on a website for a photographer, what do you look for, a) style b) price c) availability a, b, and c in that order. it's your wedding and most brides are willing to pay more for these special pictures to get the style that they want (at least that's what we wanted but your price was helpful!).

Also important is the relationship you develop with the photographer: you need to get along and feel that he/she 'gets' you. you were very nice and directed us without being bossy or 'diva-ish' but still had control of the group.

I must say that you were amazing. I often look at my pictures and i'm still so happy with them. you did an amazing job capturing our memories. i can't tell you how many compliments that i get still! I always refer you because you did an amazing job - every picture was perfectly edited and i still can't believe that we got all those pictures, edited for that price!

Response: From someone I have never met, or spoke with.

1. The product should be good. I mean good, clear crisp images, but even more importantly, originality. I think a good wedding photographer should have a good supply of original and cool locations they can arrange to shoot at, indoors or out (depending on the weather). Also, they should strive for fun, original, and interesting poses and ideas. Anyone can say "Smile and say cheese!", but you want the wedding day to be something to remember. And let's face it, the rest of the day is pure stress on a couple.....you can give them a chance to have a little fun and enjoy it as well.

2. Price NEVER equals quality...it more often equals greed, or an attempt to milk as much money from a couple as possible, in an industry that allows it. The best indicator of quality is a good, strong portfolio. You should be able to provide a 'book', just as any model would, with samples of your work. You should have a good diversity, highlighting regular family portraits, wedding party, and then a whole bunh of interesting ceremony and 'outside' the wedding shots that make people WANT you as a photographer.

Response: From an upcoming bride and past glamour client

When I was looking for a wedding photographer, I was, in a large part, concerned about budget and the photographer’s willingness to work within smaller budgets. There’s not a lot of photographers that are willing to really customize packages. A lot of photographers specify that they customize packages, but that usually means, we’ll customize so that you spend a lot more than you really wanted to. I was also looking for a photographer that had a great portfolio on their website, with pictures that I like, a unique style, that was fun and a little trendy, but wasn’t over the top. I often looked at the WHOLE website, and not just the wedding photos. I think the more you can see the life in the pictures, with the maternity, and the infants, the family, the glamour and boudoir shots, the more you begin to understand the photographer’s angels and the mood they create. I was looking for someone who’s style fit my own, and someone who was friendly and wasn’t pushy to get me to come and meet so they can take a deposit. I was looking for someone who I was comfortable with and felt like I’ve known them for years, and someone who understand what I wanted in a picture.

Thanks to everyone for reading!

I had a lot of fun with this little survery. Stay Tuned ! ASK THE BRIDE will be posted in the next few days..... I am going to ask a bride of the past to answer some common wedding photography questions. Any questions you would like answered please feel free to email and I will add them.