Yes, we have been asked this hundreds of times. And in todays “a photographer around every corner”, this is sometimes very difficult to figure out. So here is what we think about this:
Really good photographers – Almost never WORK OUT OF THEIR HOME
Really good photographers – NEVER MEET CLIENTS AT STARBUCKS
Really good photographers – HAVE THE ABILITY TO TAKE CREDIT CARDS
Really good photographers – DO NOT TRY TO SELL YOU ON THE SPOT
Really good photographers – HAVE LENGTHY CLIENT LISTS
Really good photographers – DO NOT MAKE EXCUSES AND CAN MAKE MAGIC OUT OF ANY SITUATION
Really good photographers – DO NOT TALK TRASH ABOUT OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS / THEY DON’T HAVE TO
Really good photographers – Are genrally not the ones that the popular event facilities recommend.
Really good photographers – Are ones that (1), listen to the client’s needs, (2), offer a few creative and fitting options and (3), are willing to negotiate a timeline, package, and budget that is comfortable for the client.
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So these things are some of the items that we suggest when a client (or potential client), asks about this. After having to sit in a courtroom recently and be a witness for a young, recent bride . . . we truly wish that we could sit all young women (and their mothers) down for a “wedding 101″ talk. It is sssoooooo easy to be swindled into a newbie or inexperienced photographers sales pitch, thinking that you have found the best deal on the planet.
A wedding is something that in most cases, CANNOT BE RE-DONE. If you are going to scrimp on your budget anywhere, PLEASE DO NOT DO IT ON YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY.
The number of brides who are extremely dissappointed after the fact, is simply staggering. You can get a smaller cake, you can get the normal limo instead of the Hummer, you can make your own invitations . . . . but we hope that you give serious thought before cutting your photography budget. A really good photographer will work his (or her) butt off, to make your day a “one of a kind” event that you will remember with a HUGE smile on your face for the rest of your life. The lady who I was in court with, has to live with something far shorter than a smile.
Please don’t let this happend to you . . .
Be well . . .
Rain