When planning your wedding, one of the biggest decisions you have to make is selecting a photographer. If you do some research online, you might feel as though everyone who has a DSLR is a professional photographer these days. The wide range of options can make it confusing for you to select the right one. Hence, no surprise that many couples end up making mistakes when selecting a wedding photographer. Here are 8 common mistakes that you should avoid:
1. Relying on Reputation Alone
It does seem convenient to opt for a studio that shoots hundreds of weddings a year. While the sheer volume of work they are doing does indicate they are great at what they do, you should not rely on reputation alone. For one, the reputable photographers are booked on virtually every other weekend and it can get difficult for them to devote full attention to your wedding.
2. Being Waylaid by Discounts
Discounts are great, no doubt. However, price should not be the only factor you consider when hiring a photographer for your wedding. For one, price is often indicative of quality. If the photographer is offering a discount, it probably means they don’t have much work (and which probably means they aren’t that good).
3. Taking Recommendations from the Venue
When you decide on a venue for your wedding, you can expect the management to provide recommendations for the caterer, entertainment and also the photographer. Just because the venue is recommending a photographer doesn’t mean he/she will be the right fit for your wedding.
4. Hiring a Relative
Possibly the biggest mistake you can hire when selecting a photographer for your wedding is asking a relative to do it. Unless your relative is a professional photographer, you should NOT even consider hiring him/her.
5. Relying Solely on the Portfolio
It goes without saying that photographers will only share the best images in their portfolio. Therefore, if you are deciding solely based on the portfolio, you might be in for a rude shock.
6. And Also Don’t Be Impressed by the Website
It doesn’t take much to create an impressive website today. Just because a studio has a great looking website, it doesn’t mean that they offer high quality photography as well.
7. Not Meeting the Photographer in Person
Believe it or not, some couples don’t meet the photographer in person before finalizing him/her for the wedding. You should gauge your comfort level with the photographer during the initial meeting and decide whether or not you feel at ease with him/her. You don’t want to look tense in your wedding photos.
8. Giving Too Much Input
Professional photographers know their job. While they appreciate you sharing your ideas, you should resist the temptation to direct the entire photo shoot. Let the pro handle the event. This is why establishing a rapport with the photographer before the wedding is important.
So, if you are planning your wedding in the near future, make sure you avoid these common mistakes when hiring a photographer.
Filed under : Photographers