Recently, our studio received a phone call from a harried and very upset groom looking for a professional photographer for his wedding this June. Seems he budgeted less the £1000 and couldn’t find anyone willing to work his 8 – 10 hour wedding day covering House, Church and reception. He couldn’t believe they wanted thousands of pounds!

Sadly, this is becoming a more frequent surprise to many couples who place photography and/or video at the bottom of their planning list. The one service many wedding couples tend to deprioritze, is the one they often regret not having…a professional photographer.

How Professional?

A true professional will be able to show you samples of his work whether it be framed, in an Album or on a DVD. He will arrange a time to meet with you and show you, first hand, these samples. While websites are intriguing and can show you a variety of events, they lack some of the most important information such as who is photographing your wedding, how he goes about photographing your day, and which photographs are actually his. Always call for an appointment.

In this day and age of digital photography, many people feel that the camera does it all. Not so. A professional wedding photographer can set up a portrait or take a candid knowing exactly how that shot will represent your wedding day and tell the story you want to remember. An amateur, who only photographs the activity, is likely to miss some of the most important memories you’re trying to preserve.

What To Look For

Professional photographers have a base of operation, not just a web site. Most will have a retail storefront displaying their work, but some may have an office in their home. All will have some kind of professional photographic training from a college or technical school. They will have tangible photos to show you as well as albums and portfolios, different types of thank you card samples and posted price lists. Like the Catering Hall, Florist, and bridal shop, a professional photographer should be able to show you what you are paying for. Most importantly, the photographer will have a legal contract specifying all the details of what you are purchasing and the various payment plans he/she offers.
They will also be able to explain various special effects and digital retouching services that come with your order.

How Much?

A professional photographer is also an artist, not just a business person. They take pride in their work and product. They will not just hand over a disc of pictures at the end of the evening and bid you good luck. Your pictures will be reviewed, edited and often color and light corrected to give you the best product. The professional will sit down with you when you place your order to make sure you understand how your Wedding Album will lay out and make suggestions on photos you may have not considered. Time invested in your Wedding Photography goes beyond the actual event.

Yes, the average professional wedding photographer will cost more than £1000 for a full day event. But, most will have an assortment of packages to fit most budgets. If you cannot decide that you want albums, portraits or thank you cards, the photographer can offer a “proofs only” package. Some of these packages will include limited time at your affair where the photographer works only 4 or 5 hours and you get 4 x 6 proofs or images on a disc if you prefer. The pricier packages will include albums and an assortment of extras which you can often trade for other items. Most importantly, there will be a posted price list representing what additional albums and individual photographs will cost to purchase beyond what is stipulated in your contract. There will be no surprises when you come in to pick up your finished work.

The Benefits

The food has been eaten, the music silenced, the Limo has gone back to the garage, the flowers are wilted and the Dress has been boxed and stored in the attic. What’s left of your wedding day sits on the mantle, hangs on the wall or decorates your coffee table. You can pop in the CD any time you want and see those special memories on your flat screen 42” HDTV to be viewed as many times as you wish for many years to come. Why take a chance hiring an amateur, a friend with a fancy camera or a faceless website? You will never look or feel that way again. Protect your special day with a professional photographer.