Share these words of advice from MOB and wedding photographer Linda Stillerman Silvestri owner of Tower Photography with your Bride-to-Be.
When you start to look around for photographers make sure you know what you are getting and that you are comparing prices accurately. I am a huge fan of “happily ever after” and don’t want any bride to cry over her choice of photographer.
Some photographers offer “packages” of assorted photo sizes and set numbers of each. One photographer I know offers 3 8X10’s in a frame for Parents. I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t want 3 photos in a frame. I prefer to have them in different rooms. Could I buy the photos individually? Sure, for a huge mark-up. Most people don’t want these packages, they prefer to buy what they want and need. These photographers will give you packages to choose from, but rarely will they fill your needs.
Some photographers will share copyright with you and give you all the images on a disc. Make sure they will at least do some correction on them (straightening, cropping, etc.). The disc is useless if you don’t know how to do this yourself. I generally offer to do fine tuning on their top 24 choices. Many photographers offer this as their only service. In other words you get what you want printed where ever you want. A word of caution here however; places that print in one hour (discount stores) don’t maintain their printers like a professional place would. I use a place called The Photo Place (http://photoplaceonline.com/about-thephotoplace.html).You can order your prints for what I pay, they will mail them to you and they will look fabulous! Tell them I sent you. Expect to pay a little more for the disc if you want it as an add-on to your package. After all, the photographer won’t make money if he gives you the disc.
Ask how many photographers will cover your wedding. Ask for it in writing. I charge less for smaller weddings where I may only bring an assistant. I charge more for larger weddings where I pay for another photographer to work with me. If they say their assistant will be there, make sure you ask what they will be doing. I have one assistant who carries my stuff, and another who shoots along side of me duplicating (pretty much) what I do. A second photographer will be just that: a whole other perspective on your images and a different style. I tend to shoot soft and romantic. My partner likes edgier stuff. Together we make fabulous images to choose from!
Albums… are you going to leave this on your coffee table forever and ever? Chances are not. Why in heaven’s name would you spend thousands for an Italian made album? Ask older brides where their albums are before you make this decision. Personally, I don’t care for fancy albums. Besides, I have a hard time choosing what images I want. I prefer all the images set to music of my choice in a DVD format. When I feel misty I pop in the DVD I made for our daughter and relive the entire day!
Beware of photographers who advertise a low price to “cover your entire wedding day”. They usually are counting on you buying packages or photos down the road at inflated prices. Just make sure you are comparing apples to apples and that you know exactly what you are getting.
Marisa Baratelli