Fresno Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photography Fresno

5 Tips to Finding the Perfect Wedding Photographer

2011-01-20T13:01:00.000-08:00

5 Tips to Finding the Perfect Wedding Photographer

by: Phil Thornton

Selecting a wedding photographer is possibly one of the most impactful decisions you can make during your wedding planning. Your wedding photos should last a lifetime and be a direct reflection of your special day. A good wedding photographer will capture the essence of your wedding and convey that emotion through the images. Here are five simple tips to follow when searching for your perfect wedding photographer.

* The Internet is Your Buddy
Most brides (and the occasional groom) know that the internet is a very valuable tool when researching vendors and looking for wedding inspiration. Directory and search engine sites like Google are great for searching through a ton of resources all in the same place. This saves you time and puts great vendors right in front of you. Once you have developed a short list of photographers whose work you love based on your initial impression then you can really dig into each site individually. Many successful photographers operate blogs. Checking out a photographers blog is a great way to learn a little more about them, find some more recent work, and even peak into their personality. These days if a photographer doesn't have a website my suggestion would be to skip them. If they aren't using the web they are most likely extremely outdated or not serious about their profession.

* Your Cousin/Sister/Aunt/Friend
You might be tempted to skip the expensive professional wedding photographer and use your best friend who has a great camera. Please don't make this mistake. Wedding photography requires experience to do it right. There are a hundred things that go on during a wedding that you must capture, correctly, the first time. A professional knows where to be, what to look for, and how to capture an image unobtrusively. Professional photography gear is also critical for shooting wedding. Many times off camera lighting or specialty lenses are needed that most amateurs just don't have.

* Chemistry
It really is all about chemistry. Make sure you take the time to interview the photographer you are considering. This is a very common and acceptable practice and if the photographer is not happy to meet with you before hand, move on. Your wedding day should be fun and relaxing. If your photographer doesn't "click" with you it will only create stress. After booking your photographer you should feel confident that they are reliable, trustworthy, and can deliver the photos you expect.

* Product Overload
Your first encounter with a photographer might seem a little overwhelming. There are literally hundreds of available products and services for you to choose from. My advice is to select a photographer based primarily on their skills and images. Products can usually be added at any time after the wedding. Don't choose a less talented photography simply because they offer a free print or promotional product.

* Background Check
A few questions you might want to ask your prospective photographer are:

1. Are you a full time photographer or part-time?
2. May we see a completed wedding (all images.)
3. May we have a few references to contact?
4. Are you insured and is your business registered?

These questions will give you a better idea about your photographers background and whether or not they are legitimate. If the photographer acts offended or defensive it may be a sign that they are hiding something.

Just remember, go with your instinct and the selection process should be a fun and enjoyable experience. Happy hunting!

Jon Howell Photography

2008-02-16T19:23:00.000-08:00

Jon Howell Photography - CLICK HERE

Based in Central California, Jon Howell has been a professional photographer for over 20 years and was inspired by his father, Jack, also a photographer. Jon's first photo assignment was his junior high prom. When Jon was young his father built a dark room, which opened the door of learning the fundamentals and technical aspects of photography. Jon has now moved from film to becoming a digital master and continues to be inspired by leaders and masters in the photographic industry. Jon knows that your event is unique and will determine which style will best fit with your desires. Jon's style is a mixture of fine art, contemporary and traditional. He believes in using a story telling approach.

Charles Le Photography

2008-02-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

Le Photography - CLICK HERE

Charles Le specializes in contemporary wedding photography throughout the California Bay Area and Central Valley. He is a full time photographer who shoots about 50 wedding a year! His pictures are distinct, timeless, and artful. His unique angles and perspective gives the pictures a fresh look. He believes good photographs should not only document, but convey emotions and tell a story as well. This is the result of a watchful eye and a keen sense of what's important. Often, his photographs are candid and natural. On the other hand, there are times throughout the day where the best photographs are carefully posed, with attention to details appropriate for a traditional formal portraits. Both are important, and in his view, both style can compliments each other. It is his pleasure to document your wedding day with images that you will treasure for generations.

Watch Le Photography's Video Below:

Affordable wedding photography

2008-02-16T18:52:00.000-08:00

Are Expensive Wedding Photographers Really Worth The Money?
by: Jesse Chatham

It’s your wedding. And out of the myriad decisions you will make in planning one of the biggest and most important days of your life, hiring the right photographer may very well be the most important. After all, the wedding cake will be eaten, the flowers will eventually wilt and the wedding reception will be over when it is time for you and your betrothed to head home and prepare for the honeymoon.

After all is said and done, it will be the images of your day that will help you to always remember all of the emotion, laughter, tears and sacredness of that day. The scary thing is, what if your wedding photos are, well, less than satisfactory?

Let’s be honest. Weddings are expensive, sometimes even ridiculously expensive. There’s the dress, the tux, the flowers, the cake, the rings, the venue, the food, the alcohol, the officiant, the DJ or musicians. And don’t forget the honeymoon. It all adds up very quickly. And if you’re like many couples, the financial burden of planning a dream wedding can take its toll on your finances. Even if you’re fortunate enough to have parents paying for most or all of your wedding, it’s still a hefty sum of money to hand over for even the most financially-endowed of parents. And this is when a couple can become very vulnerable to a certain idea that can have a lasting impact on the wedding. That idea being: “What if we hire an affordable photographer?” Affordable. Sounds good on paper but let’s dissect this a bit.

What is an “affordable” wedding photographer?

An “affordable” wedding photographer is usually a photographer who is just entering the industry and often has little to no experience shooting weddings professionally. They often price their services well below the market average in hopes of building up a portfolio. While this practice is certainly common and can turn out well for both the photographer and the clients, there are a few things to consider before hiring your affordable wedding photographer.

1. How long has the wedding photographer been in business? This is very important.
2. How many weddings has he or she photographed?
3. Why are their prices so low? Do you get what you pay for? In most cases YES.
4. What is the quality of their work in comparison with a photographer who is two to three times more expensive? (Be sure to be honest with yourself here. You may want to believe that their work is comparable but more often than not, that is simply not the case).
5. What do you, as the client, expect out of your wedding photographer and can the “affordable” photographer really actualize your photography visions?

A case for the more expensive wedding photographer.
In the case of wedding photography, do you really want to entrust a lifetime of memories to a photographer you found on craigslist.org or on an Internet search for “affordable wedding photographer”?

Do these low priced photographers really have what it takes to ensure that your wedding images are truly exceptional?

Hopefully, you only get married once.

Similarly, the decision you make in regards to who you entrust with capturing your wedding day is only made once. You may save a couple of grand by opting for a more affordable photographer than your first option, but you may very well regret that decision in the future.

It’s your wedding. It happens only once. Be sure that the professional wedding photographer you hire is up to the job.

About The AuthorJesse Chatham recommends that you visit photographik.org for more information on finding a wedding photographer.