Wedding Photography Tip #10:  Why engagement sessions are important

It’s a mixed bag when it comes to who thinks engagement sessions are important.  Some couples want them, others are a straight up now way am I doing that!  Here’s my reasons why it’s important.

1.  You get to know your photographer even better

2.  Which gives you even more amazing photos, both at the engagement session and at the wedding

3.  You’ll know what to expect on the day of the wedding.  You’ll be use to having a camera around and feel like the photographer is just another friend.

4.  How many really great photos do you have of each other?  And a photo taken at the bar doesn’t count. 

Do you have to do a session?  Of course not, I never force my clients to do anything, but I highly recommend it.  The benefits vastly out weight the negatives.  Which I can’t even think of a negative.  I love engagement session.  A lot of photographers I’ve heard say they hate them, which sort of mystifies me.  The pressure is off, you’re just hanging out.  Maybe even drinking.  I take all the creative freedom I can get!  I lead in with telling the couple to completely forget everything that comes to mind when they think of an engagement session.  That’s not what we’re doing here.   We’re here to have fun and relax.  By the end of a session I want the couple to have completely forgotten I’m even there.   I’m looking to tell a story of who they are and what their love looks like.  But this is me, I have a feeling most other photographers approach it differently.  So ask your photographer, what do they recommend?

Next up…Best place for an engagement session

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Wedding Photography Tip #9:  I booked my photographer now what?

YEA!  The hardest part is over with, you’ve found a photographer you love and you’re both uber excited for the big day!….now what happens?

First be sure to have a copy of your contract with all your other contracts.  You never know if you need to reference it.  The next step is deciding where and when to do an engagement session (the next post is on the importance of an engagement session).

Super short post today, because after you’re booked there really isn’t much to do!  Pretty photo instead!

Next up…engagement session, why they’re important

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Wedding Photography Tip #7:  Contracts

All the legal crap just takes away from the fun of planning a wedding doesn’t it?  It doesn’t have to be a scary thing though.   Vendors have contracts to protect both parties.  I want to be protected and so do you and the best way to do that is a contract.

So what’s in a wedding contract?  Contact information, and what’s going to be included in the fee are the major things.  I like having everything in writing, mostly because I’m really bad about forgetting who has what, especially when we talked 6 months before.  It makes it much easier and they’re are no questions as to what was included in your package.  Other information that’s typically found in a wedding photography contract is cooperation from you and your guests.  I can’t take a photo of a family member if they are refusing to do so.  Common sense really.  Your print rights are disclosed in the contract as well.  Most photographers keep the artist copy right.  Which means we can use it for marketing our business.  You the client will have print rights, which means you can make prints for your personal use.  Most photographers are fine with you using your images on your own website and Facebook pages as long as there’s a little mention of who took the photos.  But always ask your photographer what they’re policy is, everyone is different.  There’s also a section that talks about a pre-wedding consultation meeting.  This is to make sure we have all the information we need; time line, family photo list, etc.  I want to make sure all the information I need is available to make your day as smooth as possible.  A contract also covers what would happen in the case I can’t make it to the wedding.  Generally speaking I’m going to be on my death bed not to make it to a wedding, but there may be a time that I can’t.  So the contract explains that I’ll hire someone of comparable ability to be there for your wedding.   I know lots of other photographers in the Denver area and we all back up for each other.  There’s no way that you won’t have a photographer at your wedding.  Once again everyone is different so if you’re concerned, just ask what they’re policy is if they can’t be there.

Whoo…glad that one’s done!

Next up…Deposits

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Wedding Photography Tips #4; Questions to ask during your meeting.

Every wedding magazine seems to have a list of questions to ask your photographer.  I’m pretty sure an intern the magazine come up with the questions too.  Really my formal education is going to make or break your decision? (I hope for my sake it doesn’t.  ) These lists of questions either make photographers laugh, get annoyed or just simply make them not return an email.   It’s fantastic to ask questions, I love it when a couple is curious and wants clarification.  Just understand what you’re asking before you ask it.  Don’t ask just because a magazine told you too.  Does it really matter what equipment I use?  If you know cameras well and just want to know what I’m shooting, sure go ahead and ask.  I’d love to talk shop with you.

I think the more important questions to be asking are ones to get to know each other.  Who is this person sitting in front of you?  Are they easy to talk to?  Are they trying to get to know you better?  What do they see happening during your wedding?  How do they handle photos of the two of you, or family?   I want an open and honest relationship with my clients.  If they have questions of concerns, I want to know.

The important thing to remember is it shouldn’t feel like a chore.  Your meeting should feel comfortable, like you’re just talking to an old friend.  If you feel like that…well you just found your photographer. 

Next up…Making the final decision

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