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Tips and Advice on Wedding Photographers
Choosing a top Wedding Photographer |
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As the director of a professional wedding photography studio, I would like to give some simple ideas about what will help clients checklist their wedding photography needs providing the goal is to achieve a high standard of photography.
How long should the coverage of the wedding be? 6 hours PLUS
A minimum of 6 hours photography is recommended by my studio. 6 hours should be divided into a mix of candid and posed photography of about equal time length. In order to create a captivating album it is essential to cover:
Preparation of groom
Preparation of the bride
Ceremony
Family portraits
Bridal party portraits ( several locations )
1 hour minimum of reception
If you consider time to travel between locations, waiting periods, or guests dining during the reception, even a 6 hour coverage effectively may in real terms become a 5 hour coverage. Further more with slight delays of the photographer waiting for certain guests to be ready for a particular photograph this also delays the photography.
How many photographs should the photographer take? 600 photographs PLUS
Wedding guests in most cases are not professional models. No matter how much the wedding photographer directs large groups, it is inevitable that subjects may accidentally assume undesirable poses. It is for this reason that it is important for the photographer to be extremely quick in capturing multiple frames of every scene.
Some photographers pay more attention to styling and directing each scene. 600 photographs for the wedding day would be a typical number for such a photographer to take.
1500 photographs would be the maximum photographs a professional photographer would take. More than this would imply the photographer is not taking care in setting up the subjects and scenes with care.
Do I receive the negatives?
Professional wedding photographers work on a variety of charging structures.
After Market Sales Model…
The photographer allows a lower package cost yet allows for further revenue by selling prints to couple or other wedding attendees. The cost of the initial package should therefore be lower than a photographer of the same level who does provide negatives.
A proof album, or “proofs’ usually refers to the photographer providing the client with a low resolution sample of each image, so that the client can then pay whatever rate the studio requires for an actual print of that image at the studios pricings.
Upfront Total Cost Model….
The professional photographer will provide the clients with actual digital or film negatives as opposed to “proofs” This gives the client much more control over the end budget in the sense that the client can develop photos from other service providers at relatively low cost. Finding an experienced professional wedding photographer that provides negatives can be difficult. Expect to pay a higher initial package cost.
Which is better, provision of negatives of proofs?
Negatives are generally much better for the client to own rather than proofs. That being said, many top wedding photographers refuse to give negatives to clients because it is the only way that they can maintain the highest quality of photographs and albums coming from the studio. However, if the client purchases a comprehensive package, including an album and a selection of prints, the studio has already provided the client with most of the clients needs at the level of quality the studio wants to maintain.
What time should the ceremony be for the best photography?
At least 3 hours before sunset.
3pm is the latest I would recommend a ceremony in Queensland. Preferably 1 or 2 pm.
A late ceremony…
Creates time pressure for the events and the photography to be completed before the light falls. Ceremonies are often held in low light venues. It is really essential to have some beautiful naturally lit outdoor photographs to be taken after the ceremony giving the photographer enough time to create magic. Most wedding experience some kind of delays. Allowing for things to fall one hour behind schedule is not out of the question as the day goes on.
How much should a top wedding photographer cost?
A minimum spend of $2500 is advisable. Total cost of between $4000 and $15,000 are not out of the question for a top coverage, albums, framed prints and other extras.
Why is it so expensive?
Overheads.
Top wedding photographers will only use the best equipment. Top equipment will cost the an industry leading photographer up to $100,000 a year or more. Most serious pro photographers own camera equipment worth around $30,000 or more.
Marketing and Advetising.
Those beautiful bridal portraits seen in the wedding magazines are costly to publish. The couple needs to be prepared to allow for the wedding photographer to make a profit as well as paying for all the overheads the photographer incurs.
A top pro wedding photographer will be photographing between 40 to 150 weddings a year. For the wedding photographer to find clients who can afford their standard of work it is essential to have quite a large advertising budget. This in turn benefits the client because the particular photographer is continually able to work and experience a high level of client similar to themselves.
A top wedding photographer will spend for advertising costs of between $20,000 and $150,000 per year.
So how do I best decide on which photographer to hire?
1) Take the time to see at least 3 or 4 photographer in person…..
2) Ask the photographer to show a minimum of 200 images for each wedding for up to 3 weddings. View individual weddings in their entirety rather than just a collection of photos from different weddings. Just seeing a collection of best shots from different weddings will not give you an idea of the standard of photograph that you will receive. It will only show you some of the best photographs you may hope for, where in reality most of the photographs you will be buying will not live up to the select few standout photos the photographer has chosen to show.
3) Select based on image quality, ask the photographer to show you edited and unedited photos in large numbers. Ask them to show you the photos in a high resolution format ( the more you blow up a photo the better you will know of it’s quality )
4) Ask the photographer how much post production is included in your deal….
Post production should include….
White balance Corrections
To all photographs - makes sure the colours are accurate. Bad white balances will make your guests look like smurfs or jaundiced.
Exposure Corrections
Sometimes photos will be lighter or darker throughout the wedding. This should be corrected and not noticeable as being inconsistant for given lighting conditions.
Enhancing and touching up.
Colour enhancing and effects should be expected from the photographer for the photos you buy or are included. The photos should look vibrant or in line with the style the photographer marketed to you before the wedding. Correction of inherent flaws in the hair or makeup, facial features for separate images are generally not to be expected unless you buy a large print at a cost that includes touching.
Training and qualifications of photographer
If you are hiring a wedding photographer of a high standard in Australia, they will...
be a member of the professional bodies such as the AIPP
have studied photography at a recognised photography insitute
have attended and continually attend specialised photography seminars often
held nationally and internationally.
Ask the photographer for a complete CV of training, qualifications and achievements
including references.
Regards,
N Benecke
www.divinestudios.biz
How long should the coverage of the wedding be? 6 hours PLUS
A minimum of 6 hours photography is recommended by my studio. 6 hours should be divided into a mix of candid and posed photography of about equal time length. In order to create a captivating album it is essential to cover:
Preparation of groom
Preparation of the bride
Ceremony
Family portraits
Bridal party portraits ( several locations )
1 hour minimum of reception
If you consider time to travel between locations, waiting periods, or guests dining during the reception, even a 6 hour coverage effectively may in real terms become a 5 hour coverage. Further more with slight delays of the photographer waiting for certain guests to be ready for a particular photograph this also delays the photography.
How many photographs should the photographer take? 600 photographs PLUS
Wedding guests in most cases are not professional models. No matter how much the wedding photographer directs large groups, it is inevitable that subjects may accidentally assume undesirable poses. It is for this reason that it is important for the photographer to be extremely quick in capturing multiple frames of every scene.
Some photographers pay more attention to styling and directing each scene. 600 photographs for the wedding day would be a typical number for such a photographer to take.
1500 photographs would be the maximum photographs a professional photographer would take. More than this would imply the photographer is not taking care in setting up the subjects and scenes with care.
Do I receive the negatives?
Professional wedding photographers work on a variety of charging structures.
After Market Sales Model…
The photographer allows a lower package cost yet allows for further revenue by selling prints to couple or other wedding attendees. The cost of the initial package should therefore be lower than a photographer of the same level who does provide negatives.
A proof album, or “proofs’ usually refers to the photographer providing the client with a low resolution sample of each image, so that the client can then pay whatever rate the studio requires for an actual print of that image at the studios pricings.
Upfront Total Cost Model….
The professional photographer will provide the clients with actual digital or film negatives as opposed to “proofs” This gives the client much more control over the end budget in the sense that the client can develop photos from other service providers at relatively low cost. Finding an experienced professional wedding photographer that provides negatives can be difficult. Expect to pay a higher initial package cost.
Which is better, provision of negatives of proofs?
Negatives are generally much better for the client to own rather than proofs. That being said, many top wedding photographers refuse to give negatives to clients because it is the only way that they can maintain the highest quality of photographs and albums coming from the studio. However, if the client purchases a comprehensive package, including an album and a selection of prints, the studio has already provided the client with most of the clients needs at the level of quality the studio wants to maintain.
What time should the ceremony be for the best photography?
At least 3 hours before sunset.
3pm is the latest I would recommend a ceremony in Queensland. Preferably 1 or 2 pm.
A late ceremony…
Creates time pressure for the events and the photography to be completed before the light falls. Ceremonies are often held in low light venues. It is really essential to have some beautiful naturally lit outdoor photographs to be taken after the ceremony giving the photographer enough time to create magic. Most wedding experience some kind of delays. Allowing for things to fall one hour behind schedule is not out of the question as the day goes on.
How much should a top wedding photographer cost?
A minimum spend of $2500 is advisable. Total cost of between $4000 and $15,000 are not out of the question for a top coverage, albums, framed prints and other extras.
Why is it so expensive?
Overheads.
Top wedding photographers will only use the best equipment. Top equipment will cost the an industry leading photographer up to $100,000 a year or more. Most serious pro photographers own camera equipment worth around $30,000 or more.
Marketing and Advetising.
Those beautiful bridal portraits seen in the wedding magazines are costly to publish. The couple needs to be prepared to allow for the wedding photographer to make a profit as well as paying for all the overheads the photographer incurs.
A top pro wedding photographer will be photographing between 40 to 150 weddings a year. For the wedding photographer to find clients who can afford their standard of work it is essential to have quite a large advertising budget. This in turn benefits the client because the particular photographer is continually able to work and experience a high level of client similar to themselves.
A top wedding photographer will spend for advertising costs of between $20,000 and $150,000 per year.
So how do I best decide on which photographer to hire?
1) Take the time to see at least 3 or 4 photographer in person…..
2) Ask the photographer to show a minimum of 200 images for each wedding for up to 3 weddings. View individual weddings in their entirety rather than just a collection of photos from different weddings. Just seeing a collection of best shots from different weddings will not give you an idea of the standard of photograph that you will receive. It will only show you some of the best photographs you may hope for, where in reality most of the photographs you will be buying will not live up to the select few standout photos the photographer has chosen to show.
3) Select based on image quality, ask the photographer to show you edited and unedited photos in large numbers. Ask them to show you the photos in a high resolution format ( the more you blow up a photo the better you will know of it’s quality )
4) Ask the photographer how much post production is included in your deal….
Post production should include….
White balance Corrections
To all photographs - makes sure the colours are accurate. Bad white balances will make your guests look like smurfs or jaundiced.
Exposure Corrections
Sometimes photos will be lighter or darker throughout the wedding. This should be corrected and not noticeable as being inconsistant for given lighting conditions.
Enhancing and touching up.
Colour enhancing and effects should be expected from the photographer for the photos you buy or are included. The photos should look vibrant or in line with the style the photographer marketed to you before the wedding. Correction of inherent flaws in the hair or makeup, facial features for separate images are generally not to be expected unless you buy a large print at a cost that includes touching.
Training and qualifications of photographer
If you are hiring a wedding photographer of a high standard in Australia, they will...
be a member of the professional bodies such as the AIPP
have studied photography at a recognised photography insitute
have attended and continually attend specialised photography seminars often
held nationally and internationally.
Ask the photographer for a complete CV of training, qualifications and achievements
including references.
Regards,
N Benecke
www.divinestudios.biz
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