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In every city across the Globe we have an amazing amount of talented Wedding Photographers and Videographers to choose from to capture your special day. The question is, How DO YOU CHOOSE?
Photograph taken by Natural Flair Photography
Once again, I've done a little research of my own which I hope that you will find interesting and helpful. I take no credit whatsoever from the information that I have gathered. My only personal input is to add that we agree that choosing a photographer and videographer is one of THE most important decisions when planning your wedding.
Photograph taken by Morne Marais
Photograph taken by Morne Marais
Photograph taken by Morne Marais
Photograph taken by Mornes Marias
1. Start searching immediately once you have a date set.
Hiring a wedding photographer is one of the first things you should do, because the best professional photographers book their schedules a year in advance. If you want outstanding pictures, start searching for your photographer when you have decided on the date. A wedding photographer's peak season is Saturdays during the spring, as this is when many couples get married. If you will be celebrating an "in-season" wedding, book your photographer at least six to twelve months in advance.
However, if your plans call for an out-of-season wedding or wedding on a Sunday, there is a good chance your chosen photographer is free. Six months will likely give you adequate time to find the photographer of your dreams.
However, if your plans call for an out-of-season wedding or wedding on a Sunday, there is a good chance your chosen photographer is free. Six months will likely give you adequate time to find the photographer of your dreams.
2. Search!
Good wedding photographers have a reputation of success, and therefore are relatively well known. They should be the easiest to find. Start your search by asking for recommendations from friends and family who have held weddings prior to your event. Ask if they liked the photographer. Look at their wedding album.
Additionally, other professionals involved in your wedding day festivities will likely have worked with photographers in the past. Ask for recommendations from your wedding planner, venue manager, caterer, baker, florist or limousine driver.
If all else fails, saweddingphotographers.co.za is an online directory of photographers for every Province. This may not exactly be a recommendation, but it will help you weed out the amateur photographers from the professional ones.
Additionally, other professionals involved in your wedding day festivities will likely have worked with photographers in the past. Ask for recommendations from your wedding planner, venue manager, caterer, baker, florist or limousine driver.
If all else fails, saweddingphotographers.co.za is an online directory of photographers for every Province. This may not exactly be a recommendation, but it will help you weed out the amateur photographers from the professional ones.
Photograph taken by Shona from Through His Eyes Photography
Photograph taken by Shona from Through His eyes Photography
3. Look at Wedding Samples
If you have a list of photographers from which to choose, peruse their Web sites to begin eliminating candidates from your list. Determine which photographer will meet your budget as well as your needs. Consider how well they perform in different settings/environments. For example, if you are throwing a beach wedding, it makes sense to find a photographer who is stronger in filming outdoors.
Think about the tone that you want your photos to express. Are you and your fiance serious and traditional, or do you prefer a more light-hearted and playful theme to your wedding photographs?
If you have a list of photographers from which to choose, peruse their Web sites to begin eliminating candidates from your list. Determine which photographer will meet your budget as well as your needs. Consider how well they perform in different settings/environments. For example, if you are throwing a beach wedding, it makes sense to find a photographer who is stronger in filming outdoors.
Think about the tone that you want your photos to express. Are you and your fiance serious and traditional, or do you prefer a more light-hearted and playful theme to your wedding photographs?
Photograph taken by Natural Flair Photography
Photograph Taken by Natural Flair Photography
Photograph taken by Natural Flair Photography
4. After narrowing your selection of wedding photographers down to about three, make appointments to interview the candidates. During the interview, ask to see samples of past work.
First, examine the basics of the pictures-such as color, clarity, exposure, graininess and composition. Then determine the photographer's style; does she shoot photos that are adventurous and unique or are they standard and ordinary? This will also help you determine which style you prefer.
Pay attention to the photographer's ability to capture the emotion of the day. Does it appear that he/she has the personality to make his subjects comfortable and happy? Or is he/ she the type of photographer that seemingly takes pictures without much passion.
Come away from the interview knowing the quality of the photographer, his/her overall style, and if he/she will adjust his/her style to your individual taste.
Photograph taken by Natural Flair Photography
5. Gauge Their Professionalism
While not all amateur photographers are created equal, the best way to ensure you receive a quality wedding album is to hire a seasoned professional with a solid background from which to draw.
During your initial interviews, find out how many weddings the photographer has shot. He/she may have been a professional photographer for 15 years, but only doing weddings for the past year. Remember, wedding photography is much different than any other type of photography.
While not all amateur photographers are created equal, the best way to ensure you receive a quality wedding album is to hire a seasoned professional with a solid background from which to draw.
During your initial interviews, find out how many weddings the photographer has shot. He/she may have been a professional photographer for 15 years, but only doing weddings for the past year. Remember, wedding photography is much different than any other type of photography.
Along with the number of years he/she has been filming weddings, ask how many actual weddings he/she has photographed. This will give you a better idea of how experienced the photographer has become.
With such experience comes not only the knowledge of how to photograph a wedding, but also how to act during the ceremony and reception. For example, how will he/she dress and how will he/she act to your wedding party and guests?
6. Finally, find out if the photographer has shot at your wedding venue before. If he has, he may know of places to get good shots or ways to capture moments the best.
Photograph taken by Natural Flair Photography
Photograph taken by Natural Flair Photography
And lastly, just to remind you that your wedding pictures are a cherished keepsake, which will be passed down through generations. It'll be the only memory of the hours and RANDS spent planning the most important day of your life. Other than the choice of a husband, the choice of a wedding photographer is the most important wedding-related decision you will make, and it should not be taken lightly.
With such experience comes not only the knowledge of how to photograph a wedding, but also how to act during the ceremony and reception. For example, how will he/she dress and how will he/she act to your wedding party and guests?
6. Finally, find out if the photographer has shot at your wedding venue before. If he has, he may know of places to get good shots or ways to capture moments the best.
And lastly, just to remind you that your wedding pictures are a cherished keepsake, which will be passed down through generations. It'll be the only memory of the hours and RANDS spent planning the most important day of your life. Other than the choice of a husband, the choice of a wedding photographer is the most important wedding-related decision you will make, and it should not be taken lightly.
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