What To Look for in a Photographer:

It all happens so suddenly. You find a guy that you think is cute… or maybe even  HOT and he thinks and feels the same about you. A few simple nights out on the town, start turning into… I never want to be without you again. Before you know it he’s down on one knee asking you the question you always dreamed you would hear, “Will you marry me?” After a tearful kiss and a whisper or a scream of “YES!”, the wedding plans begin.

 

Planning a wedding can be the happiest, most stressful, and most memorable time in your life… for the bride and groom as well as their parents. I have heard it said the getting married is easy, but planning a wedding can be a whole other story. That is where the choices that you make in your wedding professionals can turn your special day into something you will always cherish and remember forever or a complete nightmare.

 

One of the most important choices you will need to make is how you are going to have those precious moments preserved. The photographer that you choose has the most important task of capturing your wedding memories forever. After the flowers have wilted, the cake is eaten, the limo pulls way and the dress hung in the closet… the portraits from your wedding are usually the only reminders of how handsome the groom looked in his tuxedo and how stunning the bride looked beautiful gown, and the very tiniest details of the wedding and reception.

 

Our southeast Idaho area is blessed to have many talented professional photographers up and down the valley. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to know where to turn. Asking friends and family can get you only so far. You will need to dive in and do a little research on your own to make sure you will find the photographer that works well with you and what you have planned for your wedding day.

 

First, I would recommend you view several photographer’s websites. Ask if you can view any of there most recent weddings online. Maybe even a wedding that was at the same venue as your wedding will be held. This will give you a good idea as to the style of photography they prefer shooting and it will give you an overview of what your whole wedding portfolio might look like. Be aware that most photographers will put their favorite 1 or 2 shots from a wedding on their website, but to view a whole wedding will show you if they are consistent and it will give you a more accurate representation of their complete work on a wedding day.

 

Second, I would recommend that you schedule a consultation with those photographers that you like to consider to photograph your wedding. Ask to see samples of the albums they offer and don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions. For instance: How long have you been a professional photographer? How many wedding do you photograph a year? Do you have backup equipment in case something goes wrong? What kind of lighting do you use? Do you book more than one wedding a day? Can I get referrals of some of your past clients? And finally, what would I expect to pay for your services for the coverage I would like? Keep in mind that the amount that you spend shouldn’t be the only determining factor in your decision. I have had many mothers of the bride come to me and say “I wish I would have known about you with my first daughter. We just went with the best price we could find and we hated the pictures when they were done. I guess we didn’t know any better.” I can speak from experience with my own wedding photography nightmare, that trying to get the best deal on your photography may not be the best way to cut back on costs for your wedding. When you need your hair done do you call your neighbor to see if they have scissors and peroxide? When you have a cut that needs stitches, do you call your uncle that took a first aid class at the Y?  Would you ask a friend who took a basic accounting class to do your taxes? No, you would find a professional with the education and skills to handle the job that you need done. Why would one of the most important days of your life be any different? Hiring a professional photographer will give you that peace of mind that your wedding memories are in safe and very capable hands.  

 

Third, make sure you like your photographer. You will be with your photographer probably more than anyone else on your wedding day. My philosophy on the weddings that I photograph is that if we aren’t having fun, I’m not doing my job. I want you to remember the wedding day, not that you were taking pictures the whole time. Granted with almost every wedding there will be a set aside time that I will have you all to myself, but I try to limit it as much as possible. When interviewing photographers ask them how they normally would handle your schedule of events for the day and see if it fits into what you would like to have happen. Remember, even though it is your wedding day, the photographer still needs time to do the job that you are hiring them to do and you need to be respectful of the time they ask for to complete your requests. Keep in mind that you are late or behind schedule, it cuts into the time that the photographer has to do their job effectively.

 

Fourth and final suggestion…… ENJOY EVERY MINUTE!!!!! You will only experience this moment once. Don’t get stressed by the little things. Be flexible and relaxed on your wedding day. Delegate in advance those things that someone else can do. If something doesn’t go according to plan or something is forgotten….don‘t worry about it. No one will ever know but you and who ever you told. Your guests won’t know that you forgot to bring the fancy pen for the guest book or that there were suppose to be berries in the punch.  That’s not why they are at your wedding…. They are there to celebrate your new life together and to share in a precious moment with you. Enjoy the process… make it fun and memorable so years from now when it’s your daughter’s or son’s time to get married you can look back at your beautiful wedding album with happy memories and help them LOVE EVERY MOMENT too.

 

Bio: Written by Robin Spencer Owner/Photographer of Photography by Robin

www.robinspencerphotos.com & www.weddingsbyrobin.com

Over 16 years of wedding photography experience traveling throughout Idaho and Utah as well as Montana, Wyoming, California, Washington and Alberta, Canada.

Member of the following professional associations:

Professional Photographers of America

Professional Photographers of Idaho

Intermountain Professional Photographers Association

Southwest Association of Professional Photographers

National Association of Photoshop Professionals