Things you need to know
The average wedding in the USA for 2006 cost $26,800. Wedding attire $1,841, ceremony $2,337, favors & gifts $1,104, flowers $1,136, jewelry $1,739, music $922, reception $13,692, stationery $809, transportation $564 and photography/videography $2,659.* data from Tradebit.com.
The average photographer cost is $2,659. You will undoubtably use the internet to compare photographers so how do you choose? Here are some pointers:
1) The most important characteristic in choosing a photographer is - one that you are comfortable with. Then look at their style. Do you like photojournalistic (story telling) or traditional? Artsy or humorous? black and white or color? Was their web site leading edge or from 1990? Do they seem professional and dependable? When I'm all stressed out on my wedding day will they help me feel comfortable?
2) Are they in my price range? Low is < 1K, medium is 1-3K, high is 3-6K. What can you afford and how important is it to have quality shots? But that is only the beginning. Today's bride wants a DVD that will make her cry and a photo album like no other. Photo taking, DVD creation and Photo Ablum creation are all different skills. If you want these items, make sure the photographer can deliver all 3. You can add video skills (shooting, editing, DVD creation) to really reduce the number of qualified people. Some brides get both a photographer and videographer since these skills are quite different. The cost however usually doubles.
3) DON'T let uncle Harry or a friend shoot your wedding. Everybody has a camera savy friend. But there is a BIG difference between a professional photographer with professional equipment and a point and shoot digital camera. Pro's spend 2-4K on a camera with NO LENS. We carry 2 of everything in case something breaks while you are walking down the isle. We have professional lighting (on camera flash stinks, ever try to get a group portrait with a regular flash?). And we know how to compose the picture (how you fill the frame and what's in and out of focus). A pro is about half way done when the photo's are completed at the end of the wedding. Then comes post production of the photo's where colors are corrected, cropped, sharpened and any special effects added (black & white, sepia, soft focus, etc...) If you want to cut costs, limit the time the Pro is on-site. You can always ADD Uncle Harry's photo's to your collection.
4) Internet pricing for photographers is tricky business. Some show you the price, some don't. Some show you packages, of course they are all different and impossible to compare. Some show you a low price but only give you 4 hours of coverage and a CD with uncorrected photo's on it. So what should you do?
PICK ME.
Seriously, pick me and get my pricing. Talk to me over the phone or meet me in person and verify #1 and #2 above. Compare my quote for EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT to the internet sites you surfed. I think you will find value, packaged with professionalism and creativity.
Photo-in-Motion - A creative wedding photographer that rocks!