BillP
Rangefinder General
One point that I am truly surprised nobody has mentioned yet is insurance.
No matter how talented the photographer, if they don't carry some form of liability insurance, don't go there.
If your day has gone unrecorded because their equipment didn't work you want some form of redress.
Regards,
Bill
No matter how talented the photographer, if they don't carry some form of liability insurance, don't go there.
If your day has gone unrecorded because their equipment didn't work you want some form of redress.
Regards,
Bill
cp_ste.croix
At the beginning again.
Thank you everyone, this has been a great help!
I am in Vancouver, BC but the wedding will be in Victoria.
I am in Vancouver, BC but the wedding will be in Victoria.
CliffBatson
Newbie
My criteria in hiring a wedding photographer...
My criteria in hiring a wedding photographer...
I am a wedding photographer. You've gotten good advice already. Here's my two cents...
The couple spends more time on their wedding day with the photographer than anyone else. You should pick someone who is "fun" to work with.
To me, it's critical that there be two shooters - not just a single photographer. He needs a capable second-shooter for several reasons. If he gets sick, injured, his gear fails at a critical time, he's out of position during a critical moment, doesn't have time to get all the shots by himself, etc. My second-shooters typically shoot some cool stuff that I didn't see or from a better angle.
The photographer must have an Oh-Sh*t bag in their car with some minimal gear to complete the job in case their gear gets stolen. If you're a pro, you have to be prepared for disaster. Having a second-shooter is an okay backup plan - unless his gear gets stolen too. It happens.
Behavior-wise, do you want someone who is totally hands-off and photojournalistic, recording the day with minimal interruption? Or are you okay with someone who will step in and set up a shot if they see room for improvement in lighting, posing, etc.?
Do you want the West Coast, modern type of photography with vibrant, saturated colors, rule-breaking compositions, etc? Or do you want something a bit more conservative?
Lots to think about. Above all, pick someone whose style and work you love - and that you enjoy talking to. You'll be seeing a lot of each other on the Big Day.
Cliff
p.s. When my wife and I married three years ago, a very good commercial photographer here in Nashville shot our wedding for free as a gift. Big mistake on our part. He didn't know what he was doing, wedding-wise. He didn't get any detail shots of my wife's shoes, dress, etc. His group photos sucked and he was a PITA to deal with. My wife will never forgive him. He's still my friend. But he's better off sticking to shooting Carrie Underwood and Tim McGraw!
My criteria in hiring a wedding photographer...
I am a wedding photographer. You've gotten good advice already. Here's my two cents...
The couple spends more time on their wedding day with the photographer than anyone else. You should pick someone who is "fun" to work with.
To me, it's critical that there be two shooters - not just a single photographer. He needs a capable second-shooter for several reasons. If he gets sick, injured, his gear fails at a critical time, he's out of position during a critical moment, doesn't have time to get all the shots by himself, etc. My second-shooters typically shoot some cool stuff that I didn't see or from a better angle.
The photographer must have an Oh-Sh*t bag in their car with some minimal gear to complete the job in case their gear gets stolen. If you're a pro, you have to be prepared for disaster. Having a second-shooter is an okay backup plan - unless his gear gets stolen too. It happens.
Behavior-wise, do you want someone who is totally hands-off and photojournalistic, recording the day with minimal interruption? Or are you okay with someone who will step in and set up a shot if they see room for improvement in lighting, posing, etc.?
Do you want the West Coast, modern type of photography with vibrant, saturated colors, rule-breaking compositions, etc? Or do you want something a bit more conservative?
Lots to think about. Above all, pick someone whose style and work you love - and that you enjoy talking to. You'll be seeing a lot of each other on the Big Day.
Cliff
p.s. When my wife and I married three years ago, a very good commercial photographer here in Nashville shot our wedding for free as a gift. Big mistake on our part. He didn't know what he was doing, wedding-wise. He didn't get any detail shots of my wife's shoes, dress, etc. His group photos sucked and he was a PITA to deal with. My wife will never forgive him. He's still my friend. But he's better off sticking to shooting Carrie Underwood and Tim McGraw!
gavinlg
Veteran
http://josevilla.bigfolioblog.com/
http://www.chrispluslynn.com/#mi=1&pt=0&pi=1&s=0&p=-1&a=0&at=0
2 of some of my favorite. Jose Villa is film. Just about every one else is digital.
Very few photographers will be willing to give the negatives to you. Sometimes you may get someone that will charge 2K for it.
http://www.chrispluslynn.com/#mi=1&pt=0&pi=1&s=0&p=-1&a=0&at=0
2 of some of my favorite. Jose Villa is film. Just about every one else is digital.
Very few photographers will be willing to give the negatives to you. Sometimes you may get someone that will charge 2K for it.
Russ
Well-known
Russ
Well-known
fdigital said:
That's true. I have no use for the negatives, and I give them to the client.
Russ
JoeFriday
Agent Provacateur
I'll reiterate what others have said about finding someone you enjoy working with... I've never shot a wedding and have only been involved in a couple, and none recently, so I don't have any direct experience.. but I do shoot a LOT of architectural photography, and most of it is hired out to freelancers who have better gear and more experience than I have.. while there is certainly something to be said for having great photos, I find that since I have to spend an entire day or two with the hired help, I tend to rehire the photographers that I get along with the best
and since the wedding day is often one of the most stressful days in a person's life, it makes sense to hire someone who will make it a little easier rather than harder
and since the wedding day is often one of the most stressful days in a person's life, it makes sense to hire someone who will make it a little easier rather than harder