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: 8 SIMPLE RULES FOR CHOOSING A VIDEOGRAPHER/PHOTOGRAPHER

8 SIMPLE RULES FOR CHOOSING A PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER IN THE 21st CENTURY

By Bethany Hill

Choosing the right professional to help execute your wedding plans is a daunting task. One best left to your wedding planner, if you’re lucky. But for the majority of us who are left to assemble the chaos of the day with the help of family and friends, we’re stuck with becoming crash-course experts on everything weddings. And then, we research only to find the same old redundant self-help articles that seemed to have been around when our parents got married.

So forget all of the old jibber-jabber that you thought you knew, because to ease your pain and help reduce the jitters, here are 8 easy, unconventional yet realistic points of insight to consider when choosing your photographer/videographer:

1. Love at First Website. It may seem a bit silly, or even too elementary, but take a look at their contact material and information (i.e. business cards, their website, etc.) The first thing someone usually comes in contact with is a business card or a company website. This says a lot about their level of first impressions and how they would like to be perceived to potential clients. The presentation reflects and represents the quality of the company itself. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to hire a company that skimps or cuts corners on quality.

2. Passion vs. Business. Most photographers/videographers, etc. are in the business they are in because they are artists first and then business people second. They are doing what they love to do and if they are good at it, it’ll be evident in their personality. When talking to your potential photographer/videographer, do they sound passionate about what they do or are they more concerned with landing the contract? When an artist is passionate, it is evident in the work that they do. The stronger their passion, the better their work.

3. Size Does Matter! Be careful with the larger photo/video service companies, as they aren’t always as intimate with your wedding as you’d think. Due to overwhelming schedules, most large photo/video service companies hire free-lance photographers/videographers that are ‘assigned’ to a wedding without in-depth briefing on the day’s itinerary. Smaller video companies usually won’t have the budget or manpower to accommodate large schedules, so they remain intimately involved throughout the entire process of each wedding.

4. Experience vs. Talent There is no substitution for good ol’ fashioned experience. It’s obvious that the longer your photographer/videographer has been in their field, the more educated they are in their craft. And in some cases more expensive. BUT…don’t make the mistake of disregarding someone with talent. I’ve seen work from artists where the distinction between textbook and talent is evident. Besides, if you’re working on a REALLY tight budget, you can also save money and bargain hunt for a talented, though undiscovered photographer/videographer who is trying to create a portfolio.

5. Everything Digital!! Listen…it’s this simple: VHS tapes have been around for over 20 years. It’s the 21st Century. If you’re potential photographer/videographer is not fully digital…TURN TAIL & RUN!!!!! Besides, digital equipment boosts the production quality of your wedding and makes production tasks faster and easier for them as well.

6. Technicians, Not Magicians There’s a saying in the service industry. You can get your product 2 out of 3 ways: good, fast and cheap. But you cannot get all three. Have realistic expectations when hiring a photographer/videographer. If you are expecting to hire someone that can take 10 pounds off in each photo, then you might want to think of lowering your expectations. (Although some studios can actually make mothers-in-law disappear.) Remember, photographers/videographers capture your day, they don’t create it.

7. You Want Me to do What? Even though their rates may seem firm, and even though it’s doable, it doesn’t hurt to try to POLITELY bargain. Most vendors usually expect it anyway, it’s just a matter of how much you try to bargain. Now, you may walk away with a discount off of their normal rate, free proofs or even a free DVD copy…OR you might not walk away with any freebees at all. BUT the point is…the potential is there and you won’t know until you try.

8. My Momma Told Me… To wash behind my ears. AND to shop around. Whether you are referred by your best friend or pull a name from a search engine, SHOP AROUND. Some professionals have different price ranges for whatever reasons, whether it’s due to credentials, equipment, originality…whatever. Nothing really matters unless their services are within your price range. Besides, some of the best professionals out there are the ones that aren’t heavily advertised.

So, now that you are up to date and educated by the new school, go forth with this newly found information, conduct your research and good luck! And remember, if you accidentally stumble while gliding down the aisle, pretend you planned it and continue the same movement every other step. A brilliant disguise!

Custom DVD SlideShows from your Wedding Photos

8 SIMPLE RULES FOR CHOOSING A VIDEOGRAPHER/PHOTOGRAPHER