A little while back, I asked for advice in the hunt for a good wedding photographer. Well, a month an a half and about a dozen photographer interviews later, and I think we have made our decision. Having endured the endless parade of, "Yes, I carry back-up equipment, and update my cameras every two years," and "I think the 'fairy tale' package would be a great fit for what you're looking for," I think I am now prepared to give out some advice of my own.
Let me lay out our game plan, and let you know how it unfolded. First, we began with as comprehensive a list as we could amass. We pulled names from two bridal shows that we attended, the internet, and of course, referrals from friends. We created a spreadsheet with all of their names and contact info. We created a scoring system which included Photo Quality, Pricing, Personality, Experience, and Familiarity (with our venues). A score was assigned to each category and a weighted average, with the most weight given to Photo Quality and less with each successive category.
We decided that we would see 10 photographers. A lot, I know. But that's just the type of people we are. As organized as we felt, we kept having a difficult time comparing the different photographers. We realized that the problem was that each had their own customized package. Some included 6 hours, others unlimited. Some included 100 prints, others none. Some included "mom albums" others did not. It was all jumbled up too. It was not like one or two offered a bunch of stuff others did not. One would offer the unlimited time, but a crappy little album. Another would offer a great album and an engagement session, but only 4 hours of coverage, and charge $200 per hour after that.
So, we sat down and really asked ourselves what we wanted. Ultimately, our list included must haves: 8 hours of coverage (or unlimited), 12x12 leather album, 16x20 framed photo, all digital files on a high resolution disk; and would like to have: engagement session, 100 prints or "mom albums", 2nd photographer or assistant.
Armed with our own list, we were able to piece apart each photographer's package to determine if it had everything we wanted, and how much it would cost to add things on, if necessary. Also, a key question to ask the photographers has been, "if your package includes something we don't want, can we have the dollar value of that as credit towards something we do want?" If the answer is "no," the interview is over in my mind. Almost always, they claim that they will be flexible. However, how flexible differs enormously. For example, at one place, every time we said, "you know, we don't really need thank you photos, can use the credit towards our engagement session?" They would respond with, "well, in lieu of that, we can give you a photo montage CD!" Okay, but that's not what I asked for. On the other hand, another photographer would respond, "sure, that's worth $100, you can apply that anywhere you would like." Bingo. That's the kind of response I'm looking for.
Once you figure out what you want, you really have the ability to look at their fluffed up packages and piece them apart in your mind. Initially, we would look at a substantial package, and kind of work down. Like, "okay, what if we don't need this, or that." We figured out that we were being stupid. We started to look at it from the bottom up. We looked at the lower packages, and asked them the cost to add the things we wanted. We found that we were able to customize things to our liking, and it was generally cheaper than using their expensive package with all the extras.
Ultimately, we found that quality sorted itself out. The mediocre photographers never really made out list. Personality was huge, but couldn't overcome quality. We were turned off by photographers trying to be salespeople. Yes, it's a business (and one heck of a business at that), but let your work speak volumes, and be cool.
As far as the cost goes? Well, when we laid out our budget, we put down $3,000 for photographers. I protested, and thought that my Fiancee was nuts. However, It has been a struggle at times to get it down to that, but I think we'll be just under. I realize that we could pay less if we forgo the 12x12 leather album for a smaller, simpler 8x10 album, and don't worry about "mom albums," or engagement sessions. It's all about choosing, right? I think we're going to save some money on the tuxes and even her dress. Perhaps instead of redirected any money saved, we should actually save that money. Hmmm... novel idea.
We got lucky when planning our wedding in that a family friend that I've known for most of my life is a photographer - a damned good one. But until he said yes there was a lot of anxiety about this for my fiance and I.
Posted by: Matt | May 26, 2007 at 12:35 PM
Wow...that sounds like it was an EXHAUSTING process!!
Good luck with everything!
Posted by: The Big Saver | May 28, 2007 at 06:12 PM
I wish you luck!
Posted by: Q at $1 Million to My Name | June 01, 2007 at 01:40 PM
We went through the same process with our wedding and after we recieved the pictures we were glad we paid the price for a GREAT photographer...we relized after looking at the photos that a lot of what went on that day was a BLUR...most of it we never saw happen with all the emotion of the day...It's good to have the pictures to look back on.
Good Luck with the wedding... long after the cake is gone, the tuxes returned and the music stops....you'll have your pictures.
Posted by: Reggie | June 08, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Not sure where your located and if you finally hired someone but we just got married in April in Wilmington, NC. We were extremely pleased with our photographer and the prints that he gave us. It looks as though he might be in your price range as well. His name is Matt McGraw. Here is a slideshow of the photos he did for us.
http://slideshow.mattmcgrawphotography.com/andrienachad/
Posted by: Chad | July 06, 2007 at 01:42 PM