Lesson Two: Research
Recapping from last weeks post, I am writing a series of tips or lessons that will help you, the Bride and Groom, choose the best photographer for you. In last weeks post, I opened with a post by another fellow wedding photographer named Vanessa Dewson, www.vanessadewson.com. She made an excellent point in her post, “Avoid Hiring a Cheap Wedding Photographer.” She says, “It [photography] will be your only lasting visual reminder of your day…” I couldn’t agree more with Vanessa. She also points out that if your spending a good chunk of change on all the details of your wedding, you best not settle for snapshots.
A few weeks earlier, I was out in Toronto with a friend from London. We get together often just to go shoot together and catch-up. We started talking about wedding photography over lunch when he was scrolling though some of my work on my iPhone when he said, “Dude, we spent $5,000.00 on our wedding photography and the pictures suck! I wish I had known you were doing weddings when we were getting married.” At that point, my heart sunk and I knew I had to do something about it. How could I avoid hearing such heart aches in the future? After all, this isn’t the first comment I have heard like this.
Research
You research different venues, you research different cake flavors’ and you research your honeymoon destination. Why not research your wedding photographer? The truth is, where do you begin? What questions do you ask? If you don’t know what it takes to shoot a wedding, how will you know what is true and not? The wedding photographer industry, like others, is fiercely competitive. My intention is to give you the tools necessary so you’re not to be over powered, not to be scammed, and not to be disappointed after your wedding day.
There are many information sources at our disposal but, for this series I am going to focus on 3 really big ones. I will explain why they are good and why they are bad. I will also give you some questions, with with my answers, you would use as tools in researching the right photographer for your special event. Let’s begin with the 3 really big information sources: 1. Internet, 2. Bridal/Wedding Shows and 3. Friends & Family.
Internet
Ah yes, the internet. Once said it would never work, but today, it is at our finger tips – but be wary. The internet should be your starting point. I recommend Google. Search something along the lines of, “wedding photographer [your town]” or “[your town] wedding photography”, you get the idea. Start sifting through the results. It is important that you bookmark the sites that really stand out to you. Read up on the photographer, the company and, if available, peruse their blogs. Blogs are great because it gives you a glimpse into who they are as a person and this is important because you definitely want someone who clicks with you, true?
What is dangerous about the internet, though, is that it is easy to fool an unsuspecting Bride & Groom to be. Albeit, it is harder to fake a blog that is maintained super regularly, it can also lead to a scam. Definitely during times of economic difficulty, scams can run high and this is the last thing I want for you. So be wary and diligent online. This is only step 1.
Wedding/Bridal Shows
If you have never been to a convention or show before, bring your comfy shoes, your fanny pouch and prepare to lose some inches! Mind you, your weight may increase from all the memorabilia (brochures, business cards, pamphlets, etc…) you’ll collect. There is always a show going on in one town or another. The best way to search them is A) Magazines and B) Internet.
Magazines are great; however they are not instant or as easy to access. The internet, as explained above, is golden. It is readily available, it is more abundant, and the search capability beats any magazine index I know. So let’s put it to use. Pull up Google again and search something along the lines of, “[Your City, Town, County, Province (or State)] bridal (or wedding) show.” What you’ll find is many sites that not only advertise shows but also advertise many services related to wedding preparations. Again, these sites are a great source to help plan your wedding day and find the perfect wedding photographer for you. Great, now you have found some shows to attend, what’s next?
What’s next is to remember back to Lesson One: Close your eyes and imagine. Remember that list? Grab it, review it and your set. Now you know what your looking for. Grab you comfy shoes, bring a pen and notepad and go explore the show grounds. Don’t make a decision right way, unless you are 100 percent sure you found a photographer who can give you what you are looking for. Keep in mind, though, don’t wait until the last minute, because by then, you might be too late to book your dream photographer.
Questions To Ask Your Photographer
I want to help insure you find the best photographer for your special day. I understand that many couples are lost as to what it actually takes to photograph a wedding. So, here is your starting point; some simple questions to ask your prospective photographer followed with my own answers.
1. Will you be the photographer at my wedding?
I most certainly will. When you hire me, you hire me as your main photographer, and, depending on your package chosen, you higher my secondary photographer.
2. What happens we book you and then a higher paid gig comes your way?
I would not feel very happy myself if who I booked stood me up. In fact, I would feel de-valued and betrayed. Money comes and goes but relationships last forever. I would rather have a positive relationship than a negative one. Therefore, if you book with me, then I am there for you. If a second gig comes up, I will refer them to one of my trusted colleagues, as they do for me.
3. What happens if you are sick?
Sometimes, the unavoidable happens. If I become ill the day of your special event, rest assured I have referred you to a partner photographer who shares the same values and work ethics I do and will be ready to step into action in a moments notice.
4. Do you use professional series equipment?
I certainly do. I believe in service and quality over quantity. For me, and you, I use professional series equipment, beginning with the Canon 1D Mark 4 camera system. You don’t sacrifice on your day, and neither do I. I need to trust my gear and for me pro is the only way to go.
5. Do you carry back-up equipment?
Of course! I cannot ask you to stop and come back another day. I only have one chance to capture a memory that not only resonates in your minds, but that resonates in your hearts, and your families hearts, for a lifetime. For every wedding I carry a minimum of 2 camera bodies, lenses, transceivers, flashes, batteries, memory cards, and the list goes on. It is what you’d expect from a professional photographer.
6. What do you do to get to know us?
I am always surprised when I hear of a couple that either has never met their photographer prior to their big day, or that they only met once, briefly. I like to meet with every couple 3 times prior to their big day. During the first meeting, we get to know each other, we review the contract, and we create your deposit structure and discuss your visions for the big day. We, before departing, book our second date. On the second date, I am living a day in the life of you. I am your third wheel with a lens and interested to see what you both really do! If you sky dive, let’s jump! If you bike, suit up! If you sail, ay ay skipper! I want to learn about you. Finally, 3 weeks before your big day, we sit down and review a shot list, created for your convenience and for my knowledge, to help me capture everything that is important to you.
7. If we run late, do you stay? Do you charge?
If you run late, I am there right beside you, and, don’t worry about paying on your wedding day, it is your day and that is the last thing you need to worry about. Depending on how late, charges will be added to the final invoice, but normally, I’ll stay up to an hour after with no charge.
8. Being a professional, do you carry business liability and equipment insurance?
I bet you asked why you even need to ask this. My answer is simple. You really need to value the professional you hire and they need to value you enough to plan for the unexpected. As a professional, I carry both insurances. Not only do some venues, trade shows, and locations require it to be off risk, but in my opinion, it is a sound business practice and a key factor in determining how responsible your photographer really is. If they don’t look after themselves, how possibly can they look after you?
9. How do you give back?
Since University, I have had a deep affinity to raising money for cancer research. In business, I make it my mandate to continue supporting a charity I became involved in since inception. This charity is called Airbandz For Cancer Research and it raises fund for the Northern Cancer Research Foundation located in Sudbury, Ontario. This event takes place every February at Laurentian University and it is a production put on by students of the affiliated residences: UC, SSR, WEST Res and MSR. To date, 7 years running as of 2010, over $85,000 has been raised by student donations. In these 7 years, I have assisted in the production and after graduating in 2007, I continue to offer photographic services. My goal is to donate $10,000 cash to this event on top of my services, from a portion of my earnings and I want to reach this goal by the 2013 event.
10. Who do you shoot for?
YOU!
Friends & Family
Why not look to those who are around you most. I am sure you have all been to a wedding before, whether it be a close friend or family. Or, maybe you have one coming up in the near future. Do you remember the photographer? Do you remember their personality? Did you say hello? Family and friends, who have gotten married, or who are getting married soon, have a lot to say about their photography. Ask them and they will tell you the truth! This doesn’t mean that their photographer is right for you, but it does give you more choice.
I like to say, never limit yourself, dream, dream big, grab that idea and run with it! Stay on that tangent but protect yourself too.
I recently did a show and was surprised at some of the comments I received. Most notably, not a lot of the other exhibitors took the time to speak with the engaged couples. Hmm, interesting, most exhibitors were not engaged in the couple in front of them, this baffles me. This should be your first clue.
Good luck this wedding season, I look forward to meeting you!
Hi5
Nick
In This Series…
Introduction
Lesson One: Close your eyes and imagine
Lesson Two: Research
Lesson Three: Meet your photographer
by Nick Bicanic
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