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| Springfield Missouri Bridal Photography |
Hiring the right photographer for your upcoming wedding in Springfield Missouri, Branson Missouri, or anywhere else can be a difficult and time-consuming task.
As you sort through dozens of wedding photographer's websites, you quickly discover that there is no industry standard for wedding photography packages, prices, or style. Not to mention the quality of the pictures.
Despite the fact that you're investing a large percentage of your overall wedding budget in photography services, you are in many ways taking a leap of faith in hopes that the wedding photographer you select will meet, if not exceed, your expectations.
With that in mind, here's a list of questions to ask your prospective wedding photographer before you hand over a deposit and sign on the dotted line:
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| Missouri Wedding Photography |
1. Based on your style of photography, what kind of pictures should I expect to receive after my wedding?
Many photographers classify their style as being either "traditional" or "photo-journalistic". As the names imply, the former tends to yield more traditional poses in your final pictures, while the latter features more candids and unposed shots.
Ask your photographer to explain his or her particular style by telling you what types of pictures you'll receive, in plain english. You'll find that in reality, most offer a blend of styles.
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| Missouri wedding photography |
2. Exactly what is included in your wedding photography packages?
It's important to understand exactly what you'll be getting for your money. Some photographers only charge for shooting time in their initial packages, and charge extra for things like prints, albums, or CD's after the wedding. Others include them in their packages.
There's no standard, and no right or wrong way to do it. Just make sure you understand what you'll be getting, and be sure to get it in writing to avoid confusion after your wedding.
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| Arkansas Wedding Photo |
3. Do I get a written contract?
If the answer is no, walk away. In the wedding photography business, a written contract is an absolute must. Contracts not only detail what you'll get in your wedding photography package, but also include information on model releases, copyright releases, and more.
4. What are your payment terms?
An initial deposit to hold your date is standard among most vendors in the wedding business, including photographers. Beyond that, however, terms can vary greatly.
Some photographers require you to pay for your entire package a month before your wedding, while others require it on or before your wedding day.
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| Branson Missouri wedding photography |
5. When will I receive my CD and/or pictures?
There is a great amount of time and work that goes into preparing your final wedding pictures for delivery, ranging from the intial editing process to color-correction and retouching. If your wedding takes place during a peak period, you may have to wait a little longer than you'd like.
Most experienced photographers know how long it will take (usually 30 to 60 days). If, however, you get an answer such as, "as soon as possible" or "a couple of days", be cautious. Neither is realistic or acceptable.
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| Springfield Missouri wedding photography |
6. Who will actually be shooting my pictures?
This is a very important question to ask any wedding photography studio. While many photographers do all of the work themselves, others hire less experienced photographers to cover for them in cases where they're overbooked or unavailable.
The problem, of course, is that unless you've seen the other photographer's pictures and style, you really have no idea what your wedding pictures will look like.
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| Missouri wedding photography |
7. How many weddings have you shot?
Many people, including friends and relatives, are very good photographers with impressive portfolios.
However, if they've never shot a wedding before, their talent doesn't really matter.
As all experienced wedding photographers know, shooting a wedding has just as much to do with anticipating the right shots, moving very quickly, being flexible, and remaining calm, as it does with being a good photographer.
Every photograph at a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, allowing little if any time to check camera settings or change positions.
The bottom line is that wedding photography is a skill that can only be acquired through practice and experience. Make sure you're not hiring a beginner.
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| Springfield Missouri wedding photography |
8. What are you like to work with?
You may not realize it until the big day, but as the bride you'll probably spend more time with your photographer than anyone else on your wedding day! He or she will be with you as you're making your final preparations, right up to the point where you say goodbye to your guests.
Look for someone who will be a pleasure to be around on the most important day of your life. Everyone is different, but most brides appreciate wedding photographers who are upbeat, positive, and professional.
And of course a little sense of humor doesn't hurt, either:)
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| Arkansas wedding photography |
9. What time will you arrive at my wedding?
All professional photographers make it a point to arrive at least 30 minutes before they're scheduled to start shooting. We use the time to measure the light, look for creative angles and settings, and speak to the wedding officiant and event staff.
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| Ozarks wedding photography |
10. What questions do you have for ME?
At some point, your wedding photographer should ask you some questions, too, ranging from how many guests will be in attendance to the size of your wedding party. We also like to know what you have planned in terms of the length of the ceremony, whether there will be a cocktail hour, and of course the agenda for your reception, as they all determine the type of pictures we'll be shooting.
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| Cool Change Photography Springfield Missouri |
Good Luck!
One thing you'll find is that the vast majority of vendors in the wedding business are very nice people who recognize both the importance of your day, and the investment you're making. Competition is fierce, however, so if you find one who doesn't give you the service or answers you expect, move on.
If you're planning a wedding in Springfield, Branson, or elsewhere in the Ozarks, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about wedding photography. Please feel free to contact me directly through our website anytime.
Thanks for reading, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
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