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In this episode I will be explaining everything involved with finding a wedding photographer that is a perfect match for you. I will discuss the wedding photographers style, approach, what's included in their packages, and much more. This will really help you have the wedding you envisioned! Link to episode notes https://photosynthphoto.goodgallery.com/find-ideal-wedding-photographer .
Creators & Guests
What is Aisle Be There For You - Wedding Photography Podcast for Couples and Planners?
Welcome to Aisle Be There For You, the podcast that helps couples with their wedding photography planning with me, William Adwin. I am a New York-based wedding photographer that has photographed several hundred weddings throughout the years. I want to bring all of that experience to you. So take a listen, make sure to follow, and I hope you enjoy!
Today, I'm gonna be talking about how to find your wedding photographer. This is someone that's gonna be a very important part of your wedding day, of course, And I'm gonna go over everything to look for and everything to keep in mind to find really the the ideal match for you. Welcome to I'll Be There For You, the podcast that helps couples with their wedding photography planning. It's me, William of William Adwin Photography. I have photographed several 100 weddings throughout the years, and I wanted to bring all of that experience to you.
Speaker 1:So take a listen, make sure to follow, and thank you for stopping by. Alright. Welcome everyone. Thank you so much for tuning in once again and today we're gonna be talking about how to find your photographer your ideal wedding photographer And I was debating between having this as the first episode and the the actual first episode, which was the wedding photography timeline. And ultimately I decided to start with the wedding photography timeline because it really is the foundation of the day.
Speaker 1:And it's kind of I thought of the analogy of, you know, even the best chef in the world. If they go into a restaurant, if they go into the kitchen and the kitchen's not prepared for them, it doesn't matter how good they are. To some degree, they're gonna be limited to do what they have the potential of doing. So the same holds true with a photographer. If the timing isn't good, if the logistics aren't in order, whatever the case might be, the photographer, regardless of how good they are, can only do so much with what they're given.
Speaker 1:So that's why I started with timing. But now, we will move on to finding your ideal photographer. And, in the show notes I'm gonna have a link to my sites which will kind of have a general outline of everything I'm going to be going over here. So, to start style, what's the photographer's style that you want? And there are many different kinda terms, buzzwords, whatever you wanna call them.
Speaker 1:I I would actually focus on trusting your eye. And and what I mean by this is don't say specifically I want a, and then enter buzzword, that that kind of photographer. Because ultimately, what can happen is the words that the photography industry uses to describe a certain style might not be the same words that you describe, the same style. And I've learned this over the years. I've had couples use to describe my work.
Speaker 1:And it's they're not the same words that I would use to describe my work. However, if we just use our eyes, you know my couples look at my pictures and they know that it's the style they want and I don't use words anymore when I'm talking with my couples to describe my work because, again, words can be used differently and some things can be ambiguous. So look at pictures of photographers that you like. Don't worry about any necessary necessary buzzword or, you know, terminology for what it is. Just trust your eye and and say, okay.
Speaker 1:This is just the look I'm going for. And that's a great place to start with your style. Now related to style, there are some words that photographers will use to describe their approach and approach and style of course are are very similar and I would also recommend getting you know once it comes to the consultation which we'll get into later talking to them talking to the photographer then about their approach and ask them to I I there there are many photographers that can use the same words and then their approach to the wedding isn't actually the same. So I'm just using the the term documentary photographer because there are some photographers that will use that term. And it sounds like, well, maybe they're just documenting everything all day and the whole day is photojournalism, and there's no portraits and there's nothing organized in any manner like that.
Speaker 1:However, some documentary photographers have portraits that are obviously posed and composed, put together portraits in their portfolio, but they call themselves documentary photographers. Now, it doesn't mean they're not documenting for most of the day. And then there are other photographers that say they are a documentary photographer and although this is very rare, there are photographers that literally, they might not say a word all day. The photographer says absolutely nothing all day. They are 100% a photojournalist and just a a fly on the wall throughout the entirety of the day.
Speaker 1:But but that's pretty rare. And most couples wants and, of course, family want at least some portraits of, you know, all of those important people that have come together, you know, on on that day of celebration. So if a photographer says I'm a documentary style photographer or whatever other terms they would use, Honestly, trust your eye visually speaking for the look that you're going for and then once you have a consultation with the photographer just say and if if they don't on their own I always explained my approach when I have consultations but but if the photographer during the consultation doesn't explain their approach, ask them to. Say, you know, how do how do you photograph the getting ready pictures? How do you photograph, you know, anything throughout the day?
Speaker 1:What does the behind the scenes look like? Then it doesn't matter what words they've used, how you've interpreted them or haven't interpreted them if you're on the same page with the specific words being used. If they explain their approach to you, you'll have the best understanding of how they shoot, how they photograph the entire day. Alright. So that's kinda the foundation of where you wanna go.
Speaker 1:You don't wanna spend time looking for photographers that just might have a different look than you want or a different approach than you want. So moving on from there, I I wanna say think about your budget. However, I also wanna say that it's important to of course, everyone has a budget. And, whether your budget is and for your entire wedding, whether the budget for your entire wedding is $1,000 or $1,000,000 and everything in between, everyone has a budget. Even people that are wealthy, they still have some kind of budget for whatever vendor they have.
Speaker 1:So I mean think about your budget in general but the reason I'm I'm not simplifying and saying just write down your budget Because after you talk to photographers, after you understand what they do or what they don't do, after you see their work, after you've met them, all of these things, everything that's related to them as a photographer could sway how much you wanna invest. You know, it's no different than anything else. Imagine never going out to eat to a restaurant. And this is a good analogy because, you know, we all go out to eat on a regular basis. You know, we know what that's like, but we don't all know what it's like to get married.
Speaker 1:We we're not getting married every weekend and hiring a photographer and know know what that's like. So without perspective of knowing exactly what something is like, we might not know how much we want to invest. And, you know, so I I would say, imagine never going out to eat and then all of a sudden you go to this restaurant and you're just like, wow. I didn't know it could be this. I I didn't know it could be this amazing.
Speaker 1:And 3 courses, 5 courses, 7 courses. Wow. Like, I had no idea. I thought it was just like a bowl of soup, which of course it could be as well, depending on where you go. But if you just kinda said to yourself, I'm gonna spend x amount on going out to this thing called a restaurant, and then you didn't really know what a restaurant could really be, you know, that that might change your your opinion.
Speaker 1:Now, of course, at some point, you still have a max budget. But the point I'm making is if you write down a very firm x amount in the beginning before you really learn about what photographers have to offer, you know, you might want to you might miss out on a really great photographer and ultimately after talking to photo and talking to all of your other vendors, you're also gonna start to figure out, alright. Well, where where can I shift money? Maybe I wanna spend more money on photography. Maybe, you know, and it would break my heart, but maybe some people like, you know what?
Speaker 1:I don't wanna spend as much on photography, you know. But either way, as you start researching all of your vendors and you start putting all the pieces together, your budget's gonna sway. You're you're you're you can still spend the same amount of money for the total wedding, but your budget per vendor is gonna sway depending on what you find value in. And you will find more value or less value in things the more you learn about them. So I hope that makes sense.
Speaker 1:What I'm saying is, don't put a concrete budget for photography. You can have a general ball ballpark figure, but realize that after talking to the photographer, you might be swayed and really find the value in what they do. Okay. So kinda have the budget as a constant. It's constant free flowing throughout the entire process And it could sway a bit.
Speaker 1:And, yes. So we'll move on from there. So you wanna research photographers and find your photographers. Well, how do you do that? Most of the time, a couple will have a venue, and or a planner prior to finding their photographer.
Speaker 1:Now not always, but, and there's actually a few cases where I've been booked before anything else, and and I even helped the couple find the the perfect venue for them. And, if it's far enough out and they have multiple dates available and, you know, we can work out the the the scheduling and all that to make sure I'm available. It can certainly be done. But most of the time, your venue, your planner, those are vendors that you're you're probably gonna have before your photographer. So they are an excellent place to start.
Speaker 1:Now, if you have a planner, a great planner, they're they're gonna understand your wants and needs very well. And they can also cut through any buzzwords or hip lingo or or whatever the case might be and just get right down to, I know this is the photographer that you're looking for. I I know your vision and these photographers or this photographer is just really who you want to talk to. The venue, as well can really help you out. And the venue, of course, is also gonna recommend photographers that have shot at the venue that you're you're getting married at.
Speaker 1:Now a little bit of a side note, it is 100% not necessary for your photographer to have shot at your specific venue. So just realize that every year every every photographer out there is shooting at a new venue. So it's always gonna be our first time at a venue at some point. That doesn't mean that they're not gonna do as good of a job. I do know that there's some some popular blogs out there that might say, you know, your photographer has to have experience at your venue.
Speaker 1:That simply just isn't true. So just talk to your venue, talk to your planner. Now if you have other vendors hired already at this point, there's a general order of things usually venue and planner, is is first and then shortly after as photographer. However, you might have already found your ideal, dress, if if you're wearing a dress, if if there's a bride, or you found your ideal wardrobe, suit, tux, maybe you fell in love with a florist a long time ago at another wedding and and you booked them first before anything else. Whatever the case might be, there there might be other vendors that you can talk to and and ask them about photographers.
Speaker 1:So these vendors, they have a perspective that the outside world doesn't. They literally work, especially planners and venues, they literally see these these the photographers working. They know the behind the scenes and they can really tell you so much about them. So, that's a tremendously valuable source for you in finding your photographer. Now, of course, you can also talk to your friends who have been married already.
Speaker 1:Talk to them about their photographer. Did they like their photographer? And even if they really like their photographer, you know, every photographer, every every vendor, any job anyone ever has, it's impossible to always be a 10 out of 10. There's always room for improvement. So also, you know, take advantage of the fact that your friend or family member might have a perspective of maybe they hired a photographer and maybe, like, you know what?
Speaker 1:The photographer was fantastic. Everything was great. 9.5 out of 10. I just kinda wish they did this, you know. And I don't know what that is, but you can learn from them, you know.
Speaker 1:So you could ultimately learn and and pass that on to the photographer that you do wanna hire. Just be like it'll it'll help you understand, you know, your your kind of checklist of the things that you're really looking for with your photographer and your end product of the photography. Now, another way to research is reviews. I would not recommend searching reviews on wedding planning platforms. And and I'm saying this and I actually have reviews on wedding planning platforms.
Speaker 1:The reason I'm saying that this isn't really the best relatively speaking to Google, this this isn't really the best place because on a a site for wedding planning, vendor could, relatively speaking, somewhat more easily get a negative review removed. And so then you're you're kinda getting a framed biased perspective of the actual photographer I would recommend going to Google because Google doesn't care if someone gave you a negative review. It's staying up there. And, I'll actually say from personal experience, years ago, I got a very obvious fake review. It was spam.
Speaker 1:It it said turn to Jesus. So, obviously, that had nothing to do with, my wedding photography business, anything at all. It was obviously spam and it was very difficult for me to remove. I can't tell you how many times I had to reach out to Google. So if a if a photographer has a negative review on on Google and it's obviously about a client that they had, Google's not gonna remove it.
Speaker 1:It doesn't matter how much they try. So look at Google that's gonna be the best platform for reviews. That's gonna give you the best perspective. I would also say if if a business has been open for years and they have 4 Google reviews and they've been running a business for a decade, that might be something to think about as well. It's it just seems kinda odd that someone will be running a business for that long and, and and they don't really have a lot of reviews that that could not be a good thing.
Speaker 1:Because in general, you know, a lot of people don't wanna leave a bad review, and and they would rather just not leave a review at all, which could be telling for a vendor that doesn't have a lot of reviews. Now, of course, some people, if it's bad enough, you know, they're like, they're not happy understandably and they're gonna leave a negative review. But Google is a good place to go. Now speaking of, you know, a business a business running, ask your photographer if they are a full time photographer. Now this is not to put down any part time photographers because when I started out, I was a part time photographer.
Speaker 1:And it's not an issue of, a full time photographer is who you should hire and a part time photographer is not someone you should hire. The the difference is just simply knowing what a full time photographer can do for you and what a part time photographer can or cannot do for you. So for example, I am full time and I have been for many years. That allows me to be available for emails, for phone calls, for text messages, pretty much any time. If I'm awake, I'm open.
Speaker 1:Those are my hours of operation. And some vendors will be like, oh, you need to have work life balance and and I do because my work life balance is, after I record this podcast, I'm gonna go for a walk and I just punched out. And then after that, if I wanna punch back in and start working, I can. But, you know, if if my couples are working a 9 to 5 job and, you know, if I was part time working a 9 to 5 job, when would we talk? You know, there's limited time when when we can talk and communicate.
Speaker 1:So if someone, is working 9 to 5 gig, a client, and they send me an email on their lunch break, I could respond. You know? And and I could also I've done many engagement sessions on a Tuesday. And if I was working another job, I wouldn't be able to do that. So it it you will have more access to a photographer.
Speaker 1:They will be more responsive if they are full time and this is their career as compared to if they're part time. Again, this is not to put down any part time photographer, and I like to think that I was a pretty damn good photographer when I was part time. But simply, excuse me, there's just limited availability with someone part time. So just realize that going in. Alright.
Speaker 1:So, outreach. When you are reaching out to photographers, I would recommend, you know, most people prefer to email, fill out a contact form on on the photographer's websites. Some people will reach out on Instagram or met direct message whatever the case might be. Sometimes I get phone calls, not often. I wouldn't recommend a phone call and the reason why is it it's best for you even if you're fully prepared.
Speaker 1:If if you're calling someone, it it you might not know how long the consultation is gonna go. So if you have like 15 minutes or so and you're like, oh, I got lots of time to get information And then you start getting them in a consultation that wasn't, you know, planned for. I talk to my couples for at least 30 minutes during a consultation and sometimes an hour. So I I wouldn't recommend just randomly calling someone. Also, they might have a session or maybe they have a meeting in 30 minutes.
Speaker 1:So I would recommend emailing or messaging, and not calling and then just setting up a designated time and knowing how long the consultation is gonna be. Now, every cup every photographer isn't necessarily gonna speak to a couple as long as I do. I know some photographers, they're like, they wanna do it in, like, 15 minutes. For me, I think people deserve a little bit longer than that. My consultations will be up to about an hour, and that allows me to really understand their wants and needs and also explain my process to them.
Speaker 1:So, I I would recommend some kind of message not phone call for for starting off and getting information. But eventually you will want to set up a consultation which I'll get into. Now when you reach out to photographers you wanna make sure to ask to see full wedding galleries. And the reason you want to see full wedding galleries is because it it gives you the most accurate perspective of what a photographer can do or cannot do on a wedding day. It also allows you to see what they're, you know, kind of back to approach and style.
Speaker 1:Forget the words. Just trust your eyes. You can look at their entire gallery. You can just go to the getting ready pictures and see what that looks like. You can go to the ceremony, which maybe it's an outdoor ceremony at a vineyard, and you can see what that looks like.
Speaker 1:You can see what the the portraits of the family look like or or maybe there aren't any. But I mean, again, 99% of the time, more than that, you know, couples and family want that. But whatever the case might be, it'll give you perspective of seeing everything. Highlights on social media and, and a website are certainly great as an introduction. However, you can look at 2 photographers or you can look at 5 photographers portfolios.
Speaker 1:And they might look like they're all at the same skill set and level of experience and then if you see a full gallery of a 1,000 images or more you're gonna start seeing a difference. And I guarantee they won't all be at the same level. So just keep that in mind. That's gonna give you the best perspective. And if a photographer is not willing to show you full galleries, I I would move on, because, it's just that's just not a good sign if they're not willing to share a full gallery with you.
Speaker 1:Under the extremely rare exception that every single wedding they shoot has an NDA, which just means that those pictures can't be shared with anyone, and and the couple requests privacy. But that's extraordinarily rare. Most photographers aren't working with clients every single wedding that say, we don't want our picture shared with anyone ever. So make sure to get a full gallery. If for some strange reason this is a very high profile photographer, again, they might not be able to show you full galleries, maybe.
Speaker 1:But even then, I I think, after years of shooting, I I I would find it hard to believe if they didn't have at least something, full wedding gallery to show you. So moving on from there, you're gonna wanna know, of course, you know, we talked about budget earlier. When you reach out to them, you're you're gonna wanna know what what they're charging in general. Now every photographer works differently. Some photographers will send you a price list and they'll have different packages on it.
Speaker 1:Other photographers will say I have a starting price points and some photographers will not send you any pricing at all. You ultimately have to decide what works best for you. I I think the philosophy of not sending any pricing at all, could potentially waste everyone's time. Because if your maximum budget, even with being swayed with the perfect photographer is, say, $5,000 for photography and the photographer starts at $10,000, then there's you're just wasting your time, you know, and and planning a wedding, of course, even with a planner, it it's it's enduring. It's it's not enduring.
Speaker 1:That's the wrong word. It's time consuming. But having a planner, again, would help you with this. The planner would know the budget of these photographers. But if a photographer isn't giving you any price whatsoever, you know, you could certainly still follow through, but just realize that it might be might be a a waste of your time because you have no idea what their budget actually is.
Speaker 1:What their price point is I should say, and if it matches your budget. Now for photographers that say starting at, starting at could be fine as long as you know what that includes. So some photographers will say starting at x amount, but then they don't say what that includes. And so that's not really helping you. But if they say starting at and it includes x y z, and we're gonna go over collections and packages in in just a moment.
Speaker 1:If it says starting at and it includes then, you know, that that is helpful. And then again, there are some photographers that just send out, you know, their entire collection. What I do is I have a I have 2 packages. I keep it very simple. It covers most weddings and then I have a la carte options in addition to that.
Speaker 1:I I I don't wanna waste anyone's time, and and people want to know what they're investing in and and the general ballpark of it. So I will certainly send that out to couples. So those are just some things to keep in mind for for pricing that you're gonna get or not get from a photographer when you reach out. So once you get information for the photographer, you know there are some things to keep in mind and to go over. Actually, a good amount of things to go over in terms of what's in the the collection.
Speaker 1:Now some photographers call them collections, some photographers call them packages, Whatever you wanna call it. It's it's the itemized, options, that are coming with whatever you're paying for. So these things include some of, or all of the following. 1st, engagement session. Most people call it an engagement session at least where I am.
Speaker 1:I'm in, Northeast, United States, studio based out of New York. Most people in this area will call it an engagement session. Other parts of the country or world, they might call it something different. But essentially what it is, it's a photography session before the wedding day. And I highly highly recommend these by the way.
Speaker 1:Now, not every one of my couples will get them but 95% of my couples do. And the reason I recommend them is basically, it's a warm up for the wedding day. In terms of it allows the photographer to see how you and your partner are in front of the camera. It allows you and your partner to know what the photographer is like behind the camera. And as much as a photographer can explain their approach to you, it's still this is not something that you do every weekend.
Speaker 1:You you don't have a more involved photo shoot every weekend. So a photographer can explain what they do to you, but you still haven't experienced it. So this is, this is something that you wanna experience and know. And, again, it allows the photographer to understand, you know, kinda your approach or or or how you are in front of the camera. And some couples are a little more introverted, are a little more shy.
Speaker 1:They might need a little more encouragement or direction. I find most couples, most of my couples do need direction to some degree. Very very few couples, will will not need any kind of direction. And I'll also say this, just in terms of direction in general, a photographer in my opinion should be giving direction at some point to some degree with any kind of portrait. Because the chance of you, on your own or you and your partner or you and a group of people just magically falling into good light and falling into a good composition, and all of these things that make for a really great picture.
Speaker 1:These things just don't happen on their own. Now photojournalism is completely different story, you know, that's capturing the moments and, you know, ideally you wanna have good light and all that, but, you're not you're not lighting, every single candid moment and that's just not even possible. So not to get too off track, but basically, engagement session is definitely worth your time, and it's something that you want to do. Now find out how long the engagement session is. I I do 2 hours.
Speaker 1:Some couples or some photographers might do less, some might be might be more. I do 2 hours. I find 2 hours is plenty of time to get a nice variety of pictures. And also it's just time to kind of build a rapport with your photographer which which is really important. Find out if if the engagement session has any limits in terms of travel.
Speaker 1:So for example, like I will include an engagement session within 2 hours travel of New York City. And, if there's I I certainly am willing to go farther than that, but then farther than that dependent on how far, there there would be additional cost for travel. So also just find out if there's a travel fee, find out how far from whatever city center, you're able to go for the engagement session. Moving on to, the actual photography for the wedding day, how many hours are you getting and, now keep in mind if a photographer says 10 hours, these are 10 consecutive hours. No photographer is going to shoot for 5 hours, stop shooting for 2 hours, and then, shoot for another 5 hours because that's 12 hours.
Speaker 1:It's not 10 hours. So keep that in mind with your planning, because it's the photographer's time. So whether we're shooting or we're moving to another place where we will be shooting, that's all part of the hours of coverage. So, but find out how many hours you need and your photographer should should help you with this or your your planner. Now when I have consultations with couples I will get to know their wants and needs and then I'm never gonna say, well, you need more hours of coverage than you really need.
Speaker 1:I'm not gonna do that. So but that's why I offer I offer 10 hours and 12 hours which 10 hours actually covers pretty much every wedding. Some weddings might need 12 hours. However, a couple can also do 10 hours and then add 1 hour a la carte and essentially have an 11 hour day. But in general for a one day, and and you can listen to my first episode for this.
Speaker 1:In general for a one day wedding event, 10 hours is is usually it covers most bases and you can get the entirety of the wedding day story told most of the time. But but know how many hours are included in the package. Know if there's a second shooter or and or assistant and what is the difference? I won't shoot a wedding without a second photographer. I have had couples ask me they're like, oh, can we save money if we don't have a second photographer?
Speaker 1:I will never ever do that. Now, do I have the capability of shooting a wedding by myself? Of course, I have. And I actually have done it in the past, but it's not something I do anymore. And the reason is this is your wedding day.
Speaker 1:I can twist my ankle and not be able to walk, you know, on my way to out the door from from the getting ready pictures, and the show must go on. I mean, I might crawl and take pictures, but, you know, there's only so much I can do with that. I always have a second photographer with me. And while my second photographer and what I define as a second photographer is not, if if I'm shooting lead, they're not responsible for a lot of things. However, if I go down, if I break my ankle, whatever the case might be, my second photographer and all of my second photographers are experienced photographers that have shot their own weddings, have their own businesses, So they rest assured can take over.
Speaker 1:I highly recommend having a second photographer. I do not ever recommend hiring a photographer that does not have a second photographer and that photographer can say all they want. Oh, well, you know, I I can have a photographer on call but that photographer is not there. You know, even if they have their gear packed and they're sitting in their car, especially if you're in New York, depending on where I mean, it it could be hours until someone gets there. Even if it's an hour that that could be the entire duration of the ceremony.
Speaker 1:So, I always include a second photographer. I would recommend that you always have a second photographer. Now, an assistant an assistant is someone that's, and and make sure you get the meaning from the photographer because some photographers will say assistant, but the assistant actually does do some some picture taking, which doesn't sound like someone that's shooting because it's an assistant. But either way, make sure you get the definition of what they mean from the photographer. Most people, when they say second photographer, it means they are, of course, taking pictures, but they're not shooting the lead.
Speaker 1:They don't have most of the responsibility of the day. And most people when they say assistance, they simply mean someone that's not shooting and carrying gear, getting people water or something to drink, helping with, whatever the case might be. It's an extra set of helping hands. That's what an assistant is. So let's see.
Speaker 1:Moving on. Looking at my notes, some photographers in their collection will have the option of a rehearsal dinner coverage that could be the day before. You ultimately could decide if you want that photographed or not. Some photographers will offer, brunch after, you know, if the wedding is on a Saturday, the brunch would be Sunday morning. And this is for weddings that are usually, for the most part, one day.
Speaker 1:Now there are weddings that could be 3 or 4 days long depending on the culture, culture, depending on the location, depending on the clients. But I'm covering what is is the norm and common for me and for for a lot of photography. Most weddings are one day with with, with the exception of certain cultures like South Asian weddings, which tend to be multiple days. But I personally don't photograph them. As beautiful as the culture is, I I haven't really got inquiries for that.
Speaker 1:I would love to though. So if you're a South Asian couple and you're getting married, I would love to photograph your wedding. So, but rehearsal dinner brunch, those are options. Moving on from there, are you getting digital pictures? Are you getting film?
Speaker 1:Are you getting both? There there's no right or wrong way to do it. Most photographers don't really shoot much film anymore. However, some photographers do. I shoot all digital at this point, but some photographers will offer offer a hybrid.
Speaker 1:But just know what you're getting and of course, how they're delivered. I offer digital photography and all of the pictures are uploaded to an online gallery. So that's what I do. I don't think photographers really do like USBs anymore that that's kinda antiquated but but they might. But my my digital images photography are on an online gallery.
Speaker 1:Now you wanna make sure or or you wanna see I'm trying to be objective here. You wanna see if the the pictures that you're getting, the digital pictures are high res or if they're just web website, web resolution. Some photographers will give you the high res, some photographers will just give you the the web res. And so the web resolution images you can't really print, because they're just for digital display. The high res images, of course, you can print because they're the high resolution full size images.
Speaker 1:I personally give the high res images. That's my approach. Now you also wanna know if the images are watermarked. I don't really know any photographer that watermarks your pictures anymore. I mean, I maybe there's some out there, but I don't I don't really see that.
Speaker 1:And I don't know why any couple would want their wedding pictures watermarked. You know, it it just doesn't make sense to me. But, just in case ask, you know, and ultimately you can decide if you want watermarked wedding pictures from your photographer or not. Now, are you getting color pictures? Are you getting black and white?
Speaker 1:Are you getting both? And and who decides? I give a color and a black and white of every single picture. So if I'm delivering say, a 1,000 pictures, they're actually gonna get 2,000 files because there's a color and a black and white of each. Now, some photographers will only do color.
Speaker 1:Some photographers will do every image color and then, they'll just choose a few black and whites. I don't do that because what could end up happening is you might see the pictures and you're like, wow. You know, this is a really beautiful moment in black and white. However, you know, I I would like to see it in color as well and my flowers are in it or or whatever the case might be and then you there might be a little bit of back and forth and the photographer might have the philosophy of well, you know, I'm the photographer I'm choosing and and this is part of my art or whatever the case might be. I I give a color in a black and white of everything.
Speaker 1:Then ultimately, you can choose what you like and there is so much of of the artistic side in it already. To me, it doesn't matter if if it's color or black and white on your end. I'm gonna choose what I wanna show in my portfolio, of course, but I give a color in black and white to everyone. And then and then you just you got everything. And what's interesting is as time goes by, some couples start looking at their black and whites more, and they'll post their black and whites more which is interesting.
Speaker 1:And some couples just love black and white to begin with and and other couples, you know, they don't really like the black and white at all, but but they're there, as an option if they ever change their mind. And, are you getting printing rights? That's something to think about. And I I include printing rights. I don't really know any photographers that don't include printing rights.
Speaker 1:Now this is not the same thing as a copyright. A copyright means someone owns the picture. Now photographers aren't going to give the copyright out to a couple but that doesn't mean that you can't print. So if a photographer says to you, you you don't get the copyright, all that means is that you didn't create the image and that you can't make all of the the decisions around that photograph. So what does that mean?
Speaker 1:That means, you know, if if there's a picture of you and your your partner, or you on your wedding day, and you can't just sell that image to a wedding website or something like that and without talking to the photographer. So that that's really all that means. And and from a technical standpoint, whoever takes the picture as soon as they push the shutter, they have the copyright. But that doesn't mean you can't print them and it doesn't mean you can't share them on social media. It just means you can't sell them, and and there would need to be a conversation.
Speaker 1:But I don't really know why any couples would be selling their pictures, but you never know. So that's what that means. So you wanna find out if you have printing rights. I give printing rights. However, I also do sell prints to my couples and their family and friends, which, of course, I highly recommend because they're really great quality, prints, as compared to just, you know, getting a print from somewhere else which may or may not be a good quality, may or may not be archival.
Speaker 1:So moving on from there, albums. Some photographers will include an album in your collection. Some photographers will make them a la carte. I am a la carte. I used to include an album in every single collection.
Speaker 1:However, I found as time went on and as much as it breaks my heart, but I'm not gonna force people to get a tangible printed product. Some photographers really want everyone to have an album and that's fine. I am not going to especially as time goes on and more and more people are growing up in the digital age as much as I encourage print and I love print and holding on to something is is much different than looking at it on your computer, I'm I'm not gonna tell people that they have to get an album. So I don't include an album, but I have albums a la carte. And ultimately, couples can decide if they want them.
Speaker 1:And, I'd say, a good amount about half of my couples, 50% of my couples do get albums. So, so that's something else to see. Do you want an album? Does the photographer include it? That's something else to keep in mind with their with their collections, with their packages.
Speaker 1:Now in terms of the album, if if you are having your entire wedding day photographed, so from the getting ready pictures through the ceremony and all the way through the reception events until the end of the day. In my experience of photographing 100 and 100 of weddings, to do it in a tasteful pleasing way visually speaking, you need at least 40 pages in an album. If you are getting a 20 page album and you want your entire wedding day story told, you're you're going to have too many pictures in my opinion on pages. It's gonna be cluttered. It's not something that's gonna work.
Speaker 1:Or what will happen is and and and you wanna ask questions. Some photographers will include an album with every collection and they'll say, you get a 20 page album. Ask them to see what a 20 page album looks like because what can happen is you're thinking to yourself, okay. I'm getting an album. And then you you realize later that a 20 page album really isn't enough to tell the entire wedding day story, and then you're gonna have to buy additional spreads.
Speaker 1:And that's completely fine but you need to know that from the beginning and unfortunately some photographers don't explain that And so, essentially, what they're doing is they're putting couples in a position where they think they're getting something, and then if they actually want the full thing, they have to spend more money. And I have no problem with a business trying to get people to spend more money. Of course, that's what we all do. We can't stay in business without it, but I believe in being 100% transparent. So just realize if you're getting an album and there's not a lot of pages in it and you want your entire wedding to be told, your entire wedding story to be told, you're gonna need more pages and so it is gonna be more of an investment.
Speaker 1:Now, if you're okay with a 20 page album that only shows some of the wedding day, then that's totally fine. But just envision how you want your album to be. And in my experience you're gonna need at least 40 pages or more, but at least 40 pages to tell the entire wedding day story. Moving on from there. So photographers will have a la carte options, These a la carte options we've kinda gone over every photographer is different but usually you have your base collection which is, your hours of photography on the wedding day.
Speaker 1:And then some people will break up the a la carte into, like, what we talked about an engagement session might be a la carte, albums, rehearsal dinner, brunch the next day coverage, things like that. Those could be a la carte. However, they also might be built in to the collections. Every photographer will do it a little bit differently, but these are all kind of the building blocks for you to keep in mind. Now after your wedding day, but I mean, hopefully your photographer will talk to you about this before if they do this.
Speaker 1:Some photographers will do what's called a reveal session. And what a reveal session is, this is something they do in person with you. They will once all of your wedding pictures are done, they will show you they will reveal them to you in a slideshow, whatever the case might be. And, there I will be 100% honest with you, in the behind the scenes photography world, there are photographers that very much like doing these reveal sessions and there are photographers that very much don't like doing these reveal sessions and the issue is and my purpose is to help you as a couple. I know some photographers aren't going to agree or like what I'm going to say here, but I am here to help you.
Speaker 1:So you have to know what the reveal session is and to be honest the reveal session is also of course a sales session and there's nothing wrong with that. We as photographers are businesses, we need to make money. And of course, we're gonna try to upsell and make more money. As long as you know what the reveal session is before going into it, then you're completely fine. The issue and the gray area is is one photographer really explaining what the session is or are they not?
Speaker 1:So for example, one photographer might be the reveal session is and you've already gotten an album and it's, you know, an appropriate amount of pages. One photographer's reveal session, and this is 100% great and helpful, and and I 100% stand behind it. One photographer's reveal session will be, I've shown you all the pictures and, you know, we celebrate. It's it's great. I'm gonna help you put the pictures into an album form, and we can digitally see what the the layout of the album is and what every spread is.
Speaker 1:And we'll start from here. And maybe when we wanna switch this picture, and maybe we want this spread to be black and white. And, alright. That's perfect. Everything looks great.
Speaker 1:And, oh, you know what? Let's let's add this spread. I forgot, you know, we have all these beautiful details. Let's add this spread here. That's great.
Speaker 1:And and the photographer there is there to help you and, that's totally fine. And if that is what the photographer explained to you that the reveal session is, then that's perfect. And if you wanna add album spreads, whatever the case might be, to to have a a larger album, that's totally fine too. As long as the initial album is is enough to tell the whole wedding day story like I was mentioning earlier. What isn't so great is what some photographers and this isn't to, this isn't to repel you from any kind of in person reveal session.
Speaker 1:This is really to manage your expectations and allow you to know what does happen sometimes. Sometimes, what some photographers will do is be like, hey, here's a reveal session and they don't really explain what it is or them they might just say it's it's when I just show you the pictures. But really, what they are going to be doing is try to sell you some tangible items, some printed products, whatever the case might be, which again is fine, but that you need to know what you're going into. And some photographers will do everything they can not to really share with couples what's about to happen. And so couples can be put in an unprepared situation, an awkward situation, sometimes a high pressure sales situation that they don't want to be in.
Speaker 1:So if your photographer does some kind of in person post session, just know what it is and what it isn't. That's all I'm saying. Some photographers have gone as far as printing an entire album for a couple, even though the couple never asked for an album and they didn't want an album. And then the photographer will put the album in their hands and make a real high pressure sales situation for the couple. I think that's unethical.
Speaker 1:I don't agree with that at all. Some photographers will disagree with me. That's fine. I don't care. Again, this is so you know what's going on.
Speaker 1:Again, nothing nothing wrong with any kind of in person event after the wedding. Just know what it is and what it isn't. Alright. So moving on from there. After you've found some photographers, some possible photographers that that, you know, kinda line up with your wants and needs, and you've done everything that we've talked about, you've researched and and you know kind of all the building blocks of what they're offering, you're gonna wanna very highly recommend have a zoom session with them.
Speaker 1:Your photographer is someone that is going to literally be following you around for 10 hours or maybe longer. So, of course, the photography is important. Their their approach is important, which you should talk about as I mentioned earlier during the zoom session but their personality is tremendously important. So you might find a photographer and and their pictures are just perfect. You looked at their entire wedding galleries that they've sent and they are just flawless.
Speaker 1:Everything you're looking for And maybe you're you're a very kind of reserved conservative couple, which is totally fine. Everyone is different. And then you meet the photographer and they're super, super high energy. Is that someone you want with you throughout the day? And and I would, you know, I would venture to guess no.
Speaker 1:And and on the other, you know, let's completely flip that as well. Maybe you're super, super high energy, you know, like, you are just 100% all day long, super high energy, love joking around having fun, and and you meet a photographer and they're like, hello. Yes. Yes. You know, my name is William Adwin and and I'm here to photograph pictures.
Speaker 1:You know, they're they're just very very quiet, very reserved. That's it's not gonna really match your energy. So find someone that has the personality you're looking for. I would describe myself as somewhere in between. I'm not crazy crazy high energy, but I'm also not super reserved.
Speaker 1:I'm I'm somewhere I I guess my personality is pretty diplomatic, I guess, which is was a good thing for me, because I do get some couples that are more reserved. And and I'll also make a point of turning it down a little bit, but I'm I'm not gonna be sewn that I'm not. And and I don't think any photographer should be. And then if I have a couple that's a little more high energy, you know, I'll turn it up a little bit. But, you know, I I am who I am and any other photographer is who they are.
Speaker 1:So just make sure that your personalities match. And when you're having your consultation when you're having your zoom session ask them if they don't explain to you what their approach is. How do they approach the entire wedding day? Do is it 100% hands off the entire time, which which I really doubt it. But when they are hands on, when they are giving direction, how much are they giving direction?
Speaker 1:Is it a little bit of direction? Is it, you know, kind of a moderate amount of direction? Or is everything completely perfectly posed, you know, down to every single fingertip and and everything in between. And and what do you want and what do you not want? I will say for me, I give direction when it's needed and I know that it will improve a photograph.
Speaker 1:Now direction really only comes with portraits. So this is portraits of the couple, wedding party, and family. I'm not gonna give some direction during their vows. I I am a fly on the wall. I am 100% observing and capturing the moments.
Speaker 1:I'm not gonna tell a couple to smile at the camera during their first dance. Now, some photographers do this. Not most, but some photographers do it and that's fine. But just know the approach so that you really understand everything, you know, going into the wedding day. And, and when you're having your consultation, make sure your photographer is getting to know about you.
Speaker 1:Get getting you know, learning about you. If a photographer just gets right into themselves and it's really about themselves, you know, that's probably not a good photographer for you. You want a photographer that can listen. You want a photographer that wants to know about you and your wants and needs and your vision and what you're looking for from photography. So that's tremendously important.
Speaker 1:I would just observe how the consultation goes. And if you feel that the the consultation was mostly about the photographer, you might wanna choose someone else. Now with the exception, if you're very quiet and the photographer has no option but to kinda carry the conversation, that could be different. But I'm just saying in general, make sure that your photographer is genuinely getting to know about you. And, that that's tremendously important.
Speaker 1:So moving on from there, of course, you wanna make sure that that once you've decided on your photographer, you wanna make sure to have a contract. There's also nothing wrong with looking over a contract before you make a decision because, after all this is your your wedding day and whether it's your photographer or any other vendor, you wanna make sure to have a contract 100%. Always have a contract. Even if it's so a friend doing a favor, which I don't know if I would have a friend be a vendor because that that could be different. It could be difficult for you to view them as a vendor.
Speaker 1:It could be difficult for them to view you as a client just from a psychological standpoint. Either way, get a a contract that's tremendously important. Now a few things to keep in mind on your photography contract that are really important is, make sure that your the photography package, the photography collection that you got is itemized and laid out in the contract. You wanna make sure the turnaround time for the photography is outlined in the contract. Payment schedule, you wanna make sure is outlined in the contract.
Speaker 1:Most payment schedules, by the way, are 5050. 50% at the signing of the contract and then 50% due by the wedding day. Some photographers might say a month before the wedding day. Whatever the case might be, it's usually like 5050. And then what is the photographer what if the photographer isn't able to photograph your wedding?
Speaker 1:You know, what happens then? Now I did talk about earlier why I have a second photographer. If for some reason, you know, I talked about how I might break my ankle on the wedding day, but what if what if I get, you know I don't know. Something happens to me before I get to the wedding day. My second photographer is taking a separate car.
Speaker 1:They're meeting me there. So even if I can't get to the wedding day rest assured you still have a photographer. But find out what other photographers will do in case someone, doesn't show up or if the photographer shoots solo, you know, then what happens? Are and if they can't get someone to substitute, you know, what happens then? So those are important factors in the contract, for sure.
Speaker 1:So I think that pretty much covers everything. So thank you so much for tuning in. And make sure to follow and make sure to share with anyone planning their wedding as I'm sure this will be helpful information for them. And, we will see you next time.