Selecting a wedding photographer can be a stressful process for the bride and groom. Regardless of if the wedding is in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia or any other part of the county, the process and considerations are the same. Donald Pope Photography will share with you some tips to help make your selection easier.
1. Decide what type of photographic style that you want for your wedding. Many wedding photographers use a photo-journalistic while many use a more traditional approach. When interviewing you potential photographer, ask him/her what style they use. Ask for portfolio samples of his wedding work.
2. What type of service do you want your wedding photographer to offer? Many photographers will offer coverage for the entire day including the bride and groom getting ready for the wedding. Some brides will want coverage for the rehearsal dinner or even engagement photos. The wedding photographer's pricing will be increased as the coverage increases. For a good list of wedding photographers, check out the listings at Wedj.com
3. The time of year that you book your wedding photographer can affect how much you pay. In DE, MD, and PA, weddings are generally from April until October. During this time period, good wedding photographers are busy. A contract for wedding photography signed during this time period will tend to be at normal rates. To save money, approach your photographer well before the season starts. From November until early May, photographers are scrambling to market their services and book weddings for the upcoming season. During this off season is when the photographer needs to secure his bookings and may discount services if you book early. This applies even if your wedding is during the peak season. It is not when you get married that may dictate the price. If you do the paperwork and pay your deposit to the photographer during the winter months, your summer wedding may cost you a lot less than you think.
4. Don't skimp on the prints. While many brides will want to ask the photographers to shoot the wedding and give them an edited CD, this is generally not a good idea. Professional photographers have access to labs that produce prints on archival papers and and color correct each print. For example, Pictage produces the highest quality prints and only market to professional photographers and their clients. You may think that you will save a dime now, but when the print fades in 12 months, you may question if you really saved money at all.
5. What is your wedding budget? When asking yourself this question, remember that the wedding photography is the only thing associated with the ceremony that is permanent. The wearing of the dress is temporary, the cake and food are temporary, and the venue is temporary. A high priority should be put on the wedding photography as it will last forever. I have found that couples will spend thousands on the event, yet find it difficult to spend hundreds on the wedding photographer and his services. A good wedding photographer is priceless.
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