How to choose a photographer

Yesterday I visited a local wedding planning web site and noticed there were over 30 photographers working in the Bozeman area. That may not sound like a lot to you, especially if you live in a more populated area, but about 10 years ago there were about 7 of us shooting weddings. It is very difficult to choose a photographer when you are planning a wedding, especially if you don't know much about photography. It is my responsibility as a photographer to help make that decision easier. As with any decision I think people must be educated in order to make good choices. After looking at some web sites that address this problem I think it is imperative to pass this information on, here are a couple of links, a synopsis of their suggestions and some of mine.

http://www.brides.com/planning/photography/guide/getting_started

Typically your first impression of a photographer is from their web site. Take your time while looking at people's web sites. Narrow it down to 3 or 4 people that you would like to meet with based on their work on their web site or if you have seen some of your friends wedding photos that you love. Here are a few things to think about before planning your meetings:

• Style of the photography, do you want candid or traditional
• Are the photos creative, emotional and visually appealing
• Look at several weddings that the photographer has shot. If the only work you have access to is a portfolio that includes images from several weddings I would question their competency. If you love the work then ask to see some complete weddings, in their entirety. On our web site we have the 'your event' page that allows you to look at many of the weddings each of us has shot.
• Look at how each of the following aspects of the wedding are represented: getting ready, ceremony, posed, candid, details, sense of place
• Look for some sort of credentials, awards, photos in publications, books, etc. If you would like to have your wedding published choose someone who gets their work in magazines often!

Once you have narrowed it down, call each photographer and start to gather information and set up an appointment. Here are some things to think about.
• Do you enjoy talking to them? Are you comfortable talking to the photographer?
• Do you meet them in their office or at a coffee shop? If they do not have an office it could be a sign that this is not their primary way to make a living and secondary in their priorities. Wedding photography should not be a second job. It is my full time job and I have two women who work in the offices for about an additional 60 hours a week. Our company is here to provide great wedding photographs and outstanding customer service.
• Be sure to see what you will receive if you were to book them. Look at least a couple of weddings while meeting them. Again be VERY leery if they only show you a portfolio that includes photos from a variety of weddings. It could be a sign that they are not very good at covering an event completely.
• When comparing prices and packages see who is flexible and will create something that fits all of your needs. It is very hard to do a comparative analysis because everyone offers something different in their wedding packages. I would decide what my budget is and see what you can get for that price. We have several associates who offer complete packages at various price points.
• Unless you are a photographer and are competent in using PhotoShop don't even consider a photographer who does what is called 'shoot and burn" Digital photos that have not gone through a post production process aren't worth much. I have been a photographer for many years and know my craft well. Every photograph that anyone takes digitally MUST go through a post production process. We take every digital photo and fine tune it is PhotoShop. The two women who do this for my company have gone to seminars and are very well educated and practiced on the subject. Last year they probably worked on more than 10,000 images!!
• Find out exactly what you are getting once you decide upon a photographer. We send our clients a contract that lists all of the details that we have discussed. Although part of me dislikes asking my clients to sign a contract, I worked many years without using one, it is imperative to sign one to protect yourself and the photographer. Make sure there is a timeline included in the contract. I have heard horror stories from people that didn't get to see their photos for a year!
• If a photographer isn't within your budget see if they offer smaller packages, or have associates who work for them that shoot in the same style but are more affordable. We also offer a gifting page that allows you to include photography on your gift list so your friends and family can contribute to something that you really want.
• Your photographs are the only tangible objects, besides your wedding rings, that you will have left after your wedding day. It is not something you want to gamble with. I know, I hired an acquaintance who was a senior in the photo program I was in. My husband and I really don't have any photos that we love from our wedding It is ironic that I became a wedding photographer. I would hate to see anyone else make the same mistake I did..
• And finally, trust your instincts, after you have done your homework!

If you have questions please send me a note....
Melanie