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Price Shopping for Wedding Photography?

Here's some GREAT prices:

$1500.00  -  $450.00  -  $2100.00  -  $888.00   -  $1250.00  -  $3000.00

Don't you wish it was that simple? Many brides tell me that the more they shop, the more confusing it gets! They are bombarded by so many conflicting claims and not enough 'reality' from which to make an informed decision. Most haven't had much experience purchasing professional wedding photography so they don't really know what to look for. Because wedding photography is such a unique and customized, personalized service you can't shop for it in the same way you may be accustomed to. In your quest for 'Mr. right' the real question is: Who can you trust your memories to, who will give you lasting value for your money?

Searching for the right wedding photographer is not very easy, you only get one chance to get it right and there are a lot of options out there and you don't really know what you will end up with. Too often brides shop for photography the same way they would for any standard manufactured item. (Go with a name brand at the best price and use a coupon.) With a name-brand product it's easy to compare specific features and model numbers and then shop for the lowest price and with the standardized factory warrantee if something goes wrong, you can always get a replacement or a refund.

Here's the problem: wedding photography is a totally customized artistic service that is subject to each individual photographer’s ability, quality and artistic interpretation. Nothing is standardized and no two photographers are alike. There are no 'manufacturers' warrantees to fall back on. Too many new, poor-quality vendors survive for a time in the wedding industry before their reputation is established.

Your wedding will be one of the most romantic, beautiful and emotional days of your life, you only have one chance to get it right and if it goes wrong, you're pretty much out-of-luck. A 100% money-back guarantee or promise of being 'thrilled' may make you initially feel 'warm & fuzzy' but won't replace your wedding-day photographs. Weddings are very challenging. A photographer that specializes in commercial magazine features, 'baby pictures' or family portraits may not be capable of capturing the unique essence of your wedding day, those distinguishing once-in-a-lifetime moments, in the artistic style and professional manner you deserve.

In your search you will find many photographers all on different levels and price points, with different skill sets, abilities, styles and motivations. There is a lot of false advertising out there, too often you are shown one thing but delivered another. Some don't quite have the gift for great photography, others over-promise and under-deliver. Some are unable to capture the true essence of you because of years of training in the 'memorized pose technique' (same pose --different people). Some treat every wedding the same creating the standard boring, contrived wedding pictures. Some photographers put a lot of emotional emphasis on ALL their other services in a 'feel-good' attempt to distract you from what you will really be getting.

It takes a bit of homework and research to find the wedding photographer who you can trust your memories to, the one you will be glad was an important part of your special day; the one who will be able to unobtrusively capture the true essence of your wedding day, those distinguishing and fleeting memorable moments (not just the contrived, posed photographs); the photographer who will really give you what you want instead of the same old cookie-cutter approach that all the other brides got.

Too many brides end up manipulated into following the herd and later regret having a photographer who forced them into doing things they never planned to do on their wedding day. (Like being taken away from their family and friends for 'posed' photos, being late to their own party, being made to lay on the floor with the bridal party in a frumpy and unattractive fashion for dumb looking photos, etc.) Planning a wedding is a very emotional experience, don't go into it blindly, do a little homework up front so you can make an informed decision that you won't regret later. (Beware your amateur wedding photographer relative.)

How to find YOUR Wedding Photographer

Before 'calling around', look at magazines, websites, your friends wedding photos, referrals from quality sources - (with similar needs and tastes as yours), etc. and decide what you like and discuss with your fiancé what is really important to you and estimate your initial photography budget**. Don't let initial pricing scare you, determine specifically what is important to you and then get specific pricing for EVERYTHING. Too often the one that 'looks expensive' upfront may actually just be the most honest. Most brides are happiest with the wedding photographer who they like and trust, the one who has proven in their work that they can consistently 'deliver the goods' and who have the expertise, equipment and know-how to get the job done right and really take care of them --not the fast-talking, deal-making, smoke and mirrors, flimflam sales trickster. (Beware the ol' Razzle Dazzle, some vendors promise "everything will be PERFECT". They will tell you just what you want to hear, so you will book them, instead of what they should be telling you to insure your wedding-day success! Good vendors can make or break your day ...choose yours carefully!)

The best wedding photographers book well in advance at premium prices. The 'low priced' photographer that is begging for business usually doesn't have what it really takes to be successful in the complicated business of wedding photography. If the photography is important to you, don't delay, determine what is important to you and do some research and find the wedding photographer who can best give you what you really want, before another bride books them for your date.

Common Photography Problems

Another had her photos delivered in the bag from CVS Drug Store! I've talked to lots of married couples who say their photographer was good, but "she must have had an off-day on our wedding because none of the pictures she took at our wedding were as good as the ones she showed us." Some have been surprised when a 'contracted' photographer whom they have never met shows up in jeans and a t-shirt at their wedding.

One couple was unexpectedly charged an extra $200 for travel time ($3 a mile!) When they complained they were told to read the fine print on the price list and threatened that if they didn't pay the extra fee they wouldn't get their pictures. One bride was charged a $500 penalty fee for returning her proof book 3-days late. Another couple was told they could no longer order the album they had already paid for in their package and would get no refund because they were past the 60-day ordering deadline.

One bride was devastated and near tears on her wedding day when her 'It's my way or the highway' Dr. Jekyll /Mr. Hyde photographer became the self-appointed 'dictator of events' and began yelling and bossing people around and was very rude with her family and friends!

The last thing these brides expected was to be terribly disappointed. "His pictures looked good and his price was great! I never dreamed I wouldn't get any professional pictures from my wedding!"

Don't let this happen to you! We want you to make the right choice, ~ even if it's not us. We're not every ones photographer because we only cover 28-34 of the best weddings each year. The best photographers and the best dates book up fast (often 8-12 months in advance).