Finding A Wedding Photographer Tip #4

Always Critique The Imagery Of Photographers

 

This is one of the most important tips I can give any client who is looking at several photographers comparing collection’s cost, hourly coverage and products, that sometimes the imagery will be overlooked. In any wedding photography collection considered by clients 6 out of 10 times the cost will override the quality of imagery the photographer offers.

This is a mistake made by bride and grooms due to the fact that today’s advertisers promote the concept that anyone can create great imagery with the cameras offered today. The truth is anyone “Can take a good photograph” with the cameras offered today, but not anyone can create great imagery with the cameras offered today. I will try to give you some examples of what to look for when critiquing photographers work to make sure you have the best quality for the price.

1^st Colour Popping Imagery- this is a basic tool in photo shop or picasa by Google it is a trick use to bring the focus of a viewer to the area that has been colour popped. Why? Is the question you should ask. The most common reasons for this is the photo is “Bleached Out” , “Over Shadowed” or “Out of Focus“. These conditions are most commonly caused by the photographer shooting in the “Auto Setting” on the dial. This setting uses the entire view to set the picture’s values, focus points and flash output per lens on at time of photography. No professional photographer will use “Auto Setting” on the camera or flash most choose the “M Setting” on both. This will allow the photographer full control over all aspects of the image.

2^nd Black & White Imagery- Here is an area that is pretty much black and white. Although all photographers offer and display imagery in this format for clients viewing. They will also offer the same imagery 95% of the time in colour and let the client decide which format they wish or perhaps both. Now if the photographer you are considering has over 50% of all photos in black and white format. Why? Is the question you should ask. Most common reasons are “Bleached Out”, “Over Shadowed” or “Off Tone”. Although “Bleached Out” and “Over Shadowed” are pretty self explanatory we do get asked what is “Off Tone”? This happen when a photographer is using the “Auto Setting” in this setting the light balance automatic and can caused photographs to have blue, red, yellow tint to them. This is caused by surrounding surfaces bouncing light, light sources such as light bulbs and sunlight through stain lass windows. Causing the camera to choose the most abundant light available and making it the neutral setting for the white balance setting. Here professional photographers will use the “Kelvin Scale Setting” control on the camera and portable lighting equipment to correct the colour tone in imagery.

3^rd Fade Photography- The name should explain this critique of any photography you view. Fade photography is simple terns “A high profile photographer made an error in photography or tried something new ( AKA Colour Popping ) and due to their stature in the wedding photography field and the followers they have that will swear by them. This becomes the newest hottest fade regardless of the quality of the photograph. Here always ask yourself “Would I wish to display this photograph in my home 10 years from now?” Yes or No the choice is yours to keep for a lifetime.

4^th Photograph or Imagery- Here you might ask “Photographs and Imagery are the same thing, correct? Will the answer is No, they are not. Anyone with a low range digital camera set in Auto can take a photograph. Not anyone with a low range digital camera set in Auto can create imagery. So what is the difference? Photograph is the capture of a light reflective surface on a light sensitive surface such as film or digital card, basically point and shoot. Imagery is the creation of a image using light, shadow and colour to confer the emotion of that one second in time to the viewer. How to tell the difference simply ask yourself “Could I take the same photograph with my camera?”

5^th Editing of Imagery- Here is the last critique you should look at. Has the photographer removed any unwanted objects from the image ( exit signs, trash cans, persons or appendages of persons ECT…) Has the Photographer performed a basic colour correction to image ( White is white, blue is blue and red is red ). Has the photographer corrected any light unbalance ( to dark, to bright ).

Here I have listed 5 top Critiques for any bride and groom to consider when looking for a potential photographer to employ for their special day. Although professional photographers with this knowledge will and do cost more than the photographer who do not have this knowledge. This choice here is a basic prod verb “You get what you Pay for.” I do understand that some couples looking for a wedding photographer do have a low budget and can not afford top end packages. But before you go and hire a photographer who photographs you can take yourself. Simply sit down and talk with professional photographers give them you budget and see what they can work out with you ( paying out the cost of collection and agreeing not to receive any imagery or products until photographer is paid in full, of reducing products with collection and finally reducing hourly coverage to ceremony and group imagery.) But in the end if you still can not find a professional photographer for you day, take your budget purchase throw away cameras for all guest and have them take the photographs. At least this way you will have someone who honestly cares about what they photograph and you will still have the same quality as you would with a non professional photographer.

I do not post photographs with blogs to demonstrate the difference between professional and non professional photographers. Since all photographs are not ours we do not have copy rights it would be unlawful but below I have listed several websites that do please feel free to browse and see for yourself.

 

http://youarenotaphotographer.com/

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bad+wedding+photos&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=_v8NU9CSDIuw7AbImoHoCg&ved=0CC0QsAQ&biw=1440&bih=720#q=ruined+wedding+photos&tbm=isch

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bad+wedding+photos&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=_v8NU9CSDIuw7AbImoHoCg&ved=0CC0QsAQ&biw=1440&bih=720#q=fauxtographer+wedding+photos&tbm=isch

                       Simply go though photographs and use the above tips to help you decide on the quality.

　

　

Finding A Wedding Photographer Tip #3

Make sure the photographer ask the right questions of you and you of them.

Why is it so important for good questions and understanding between any client and the photographer they interviewing to cover their wedding day. Simple if a photographer approached the client in a manner of “ Yeah, What Ever” / “Huh, Sure I can do that”/ “Around that many hours”/ “I let you know on the day” / “Meeting I? No I don’t need one, I show up and take photos“. Run as quick has you can away from them and don’t look back, because this photographer you are looking at to employ for you special day does not care. In this blog I will cover some basic question that should be asked by you of the photographer and the photographer should ask of you and the reason behind them.

When approaching any potential photographer to employ for you wedding day always remember you are in fact that photographers potential employer for a day. So with this in mind lets start on standard question you should ask the photographers you are interviewing.

1^st Do you have any other samples of your work I may view? Here you will find out how experienced the photographer is. For any wedding photographer with experience will have a several ways you may view the style of imagery they do / if not red flag #1.

2^nd Do you have a contract that needs to be signed? This questions is crucial for without a contract protecting your rights a photographer can cancel and refuse to give refund of any payments to them due to lack of documentation stating conditions for said refunds / if not 2^nd red flag.

3^rd If we decide to proceed in hiring you to cover our wedding do we need to arrange a meeting or fill our a booking form so you will be apprised of the day scheduled? Any professional photographer understands this information is vital to a smooth wedding day / if not 3^rd red flag

4^th Are all imagery edited in HD, colour corrected and any oddities such as exit signs / trash cans / stray objects removed form the image? This will give you insights into the photographers passion of the imagery they create of your day / if not 4^th red flag

5^th What time will you arrive and leave on the day and do allow lead way if the schedule is delayed if we decide to hire you? No wedding runs perfectly on time, so if the photographer replies to the minute or we see / 5^th red flag

There you have the top 5 questions a bride and groom should asked any photographer they are thinking of employing. Remember always you are the employer and the photographer is the employee, like any person looking for employment the photographer should be able to answer these questions to your full satisfaction, if not find another photographer.

When you finally have decided upon a list of photographers for your special day here are some standard questions any professional photographer should ask.

1^st Do you as clients have any questions you would like to ask us about our style of imagery or how we work or our collections compared to other photographers you are looking at? This simple question show the photographers desire to make sure they are the right ones for you.

2^nd Are there any style or type of imagery you wish for the day? This show the photographers adaptation to what you expect upon the day.

3^rd If we are hired can we ask you to provide to us upon the day a list of persons who are a must to be in the imagery of the day? This shows they wish to make the most of the time in the collection you have purchased and your desire is first and foremost in the collection they create for you.

4^th We would like to explain some of the finer details of our contract such as copy rights / print rights / start time / end time and just what is covered in the contract? This shows the photographer is not hiding any detail from you and is willing to take the time to make you feel comfortable.

5^th Are there any person attending the wedding that are sensitive to flash photography or would not wish their image taken? This show the photographer’s concern to make not only you comfortable but make all guest on the day comfortable.

There are the top 5 questions that should be asked by any professional photographer looking to be employed by you to create the imagery for your day. If these questions or no other questions are asked I would highly recommend once again to search for another photographer. This is your day and the last thing you should have to worry about is the imagery of the day and if you will receive the imagery you will proud to showcase in your home for years to come.



Finding A Wedding Photograher Tip #2

Make sure you have a contract with the photographer to

Protect you rights.

Last year alone Katrina and I received over 20 inquires from brides and grooms if we could come to the rescue because the Rabbit Photographer they have hired had informed them they can no longer photograph their wedding, and the worst part these Rabbit Wedding Photographers did not issue a refund to the bride or groom. Unfortunately without a contract or even a receipt these brides and grooms have little recourse but to take the hit. I will in this blog explain in details why a contracts are very important to both parties and what rights it does protect.

1^st A contract is a written list and detail what responsibilities the photographer must up hold to the client or clients such as : When and When not a refund of the deposit will be given back to the clients / When a refund of payments ( besides the deposit) will given back to client / How many hours will be included in the collection of choice / What is the start time for the photographer / What is the end time for the photographer / What travel cost may be incurred and whose responsible for them / What products come with the collection of choice / Who retains copy rights to imagery/ Who retains print rights to imagery / If imagery will be edited / When will imagery and products be delivered to bride and groom.

2^nd A contract is a written list and detail what responsibilities the clients must up hold to the photographer such as: What time frame the client has to cancel to receive a refund of either the deposit or payments / When is the deposit required / When is final payment required / What travel cost may be incurred / If clients have the responsibility of providing meal for photographer / What responsibilities the clients have on guest behaviour / What responsibilities the clients have on guest photography / What responsibilities the clients have on guest interfering with photographers during creation of imagery.

3^rd A contract provides a singed binding legal document to protect all parties entering into a agreement for services rendered that can be used in a court of law if said agreement is broken and a refund should be remitted or not be remitted to clients.

There you have in details why at Katrina Morris Photography we have a contract we require before we reserve the clients day. So I hope this sheds some light on why you should think over your choice of photographers if they do not require any form of contract and require full payment upfront.

 

 



Finding a Wedding Photographer Tip #1

If a wedding package seems to good to be true, it usually is.

Time and time again we are approached by potential wedding clients, who come with other photographers quotes to compare to ours. We have never told a client no when they wish to compare us to other wedding photographers. We are the exact opposite, we always encourage our wedding clients to compare photographers to find the correct choice for their needs. However this goes for being compared to other professional wedding photographers not rabbit wedding photographers who seem to spring up everywhere these days and are almost free of charge.

　

These Rabbit Wedding Photographers have no training besides what they see on commercials on TV and see on the internet. If you ask them what is field of focus, focus points, flash sync., A, S, P, or M are for they will most likely answer in the following matter “Oh I don’t worry about that stuff, I shoot in auto so my photos are perfect every time.” They have no investment in the craft such as training, tools (editing software, lighting equipment, or even an mid range digital camera), require no contact prior to wedding date, simply have a standard digital camera shoot in auto and produce the same photos anyone can. If they edit they will use Picasso from Google to make black and white, colour pop photos.

　

These Rabbit Wedding Photographer only web page will be Face Book, have no contract, will promise you over 2000 plus images on a CD, and show up on the day exactly on the starting time and leave exactly on the end time regardless if all stages of the wedding have been photographed. All of this you will get at the low bargain price of £100.00 to £300.00 for all day coverage. The catch to the “All Day Coverage Term” is they get the privilege of deciding how many hours it will actually cover.


　

So to wedding couple who truly can not afford a professional wedding photography simply use what funds you can go out and purchase throw away cameras, pass them out to your wedding guest have them take pictures of your day. You will receive the same quality of photos as you would from a Rabbit Wedding Photographer at a considerable savings.

If you wish to hire a professional wedding photographer then start saving £30.00 to £40.00a month and by years end you will have £360.00 to £480.00 you can invest in a professional wedding photographer, you may not get over 4 to 6 hours of coverage depending on the package, but your images will be ones you be proud to showcase in your home.