Oklahoma wedding photographers provide a wide range of choices from which to choose, and this can be a risky choice. After all, how often do you come into contact with a professional wedding photographer? For your wedding day, making the wrong choice can ruin your memories of the day, and you only get one chance to get it right.
Selecting the right photographer can be daunting and stressful. It’s surprising how many people regret not taking more time over the decision, and often the people who do have fallen into the same traps.
So as a professional, Oklahoma wedding photographer, here are my top 10 mistakes I see brides repeatedly make:
1. All Oklahoma City Wedding Photographers Are NOT the Same
No two people are the same, so why assume photographers are the same? Each will have their own strengths and weaknesses. There different types of wedding photography, such as photojournalistic, artistic, traditional, candid, and studio portraiture; even within each field there are many specific styles and disciplines.
All styles are right; as long as your choice fits in with the day you want. So, research to find a photographer who offers exactly what you want.
2. Don’t just buy on price
Buying the cheapest or most expensive is not the ideal approach. In any market, you will find companies at both ends of the scale, and plenty like us in-between.
The key word when it comes to any purchase is value, and the same is true of any Oklahoma City wedding photographer. You want to get good value for money.
Going for the cheapest photographer may cause more problems than it solves:
You could end-up without important pictures because they messed up… Or you only get a few pictures when you were expecting stacks.
You get what you pay for: low price usually means low quality. The best wedding photographers charge in the region of $800 – $3000 per wedding. The one who charges $300 on craigslist does so because he knows his work is not the standard. If he values his products and service so low then he, as an expert on his own work, should be correct, so take heed.
Then there is presentation, $200 will get you a supermarket album, not something you will be proud to show you friends and family.
Watch out for the “Crouching Tiger” scheme. There is one such company here in Oklahoma City that does this. They advertize a super-low rate of $250 to shoot your wedding. A cheap $250 deal can end up costing $1000 plus, so read the small print make sure you know what you’re paying for.
3. The Latest Gear Isn’t Everything… But it is Something!
Many photographers have state-of-the-art equipment, but that does not mean they know how to use it. Without the knowledge and creativity to use it they may as well be using a disposable camera.
A true professional photographer, (Oklahoma wedding photographer, or not) should be able to take an outstanding photograph with just about any camera.
The thing about gear is, a GOOD wedding photographer will be using the best tools for the job, which usually means they have the equipment that produces the best results for them, and they carry multiple back-ups.
4. Asking Friends or Relatives to Take Your Pictures.
It’s perfectly OK to do this— but don’t expect professional results! A wedding is one of the most difficult events to shoot- especially in Oklahoma!!!
When it comes to family and friends offering to cover your wedding, it is best to politely refuse these offers. As tempting as it may be, they will be subject to constant distraction, so they will miss many important shots.
The professional wedding photographer makes it look so easy, that is because they are professional, having photographed many weddings fine tuning their skill. I know that when I started shooting weddings 16 years ago, there was a substantial learning curve. I did not get “good” for a few years. So it is only reasonable to assume that would be true of someone that has never shot a wedding before.
Wedding photography is a demanding service, stressful and fast paced. Most, if not all, amateur wedding photographers cannot cut it at the required level.
Again, there is nothing wrong with booking an amateur, just don’t expect professional results from them.
5. Allow Enough Time for Your Wedding Photographer to Do Their Job
Allow time for it in your schedule – make sure you know how much time your photographer needs, so discuss this with your photographer once you have booked one.
Also, would you like any special photographic requirements outside the standard traditional pictures with your parents, best man, and bridesmaids, but what about your aunt Fran flying in from Fargo that you definitely want to make sure you get some pictures of?
If you choose to book with us, we will go over a list of typical shots to be done before, during, and after the ceremony. This is an important shooting strategy, or “game plan” if you will, that helps to make sure the coverage you book is the coverage you want. Not all photographers do this, so buyer beware!
6. Negotiating with a number of Photographers
Haggling is fine when you are buying a car, but not a good idea when it comes to a personal service like photography. Many photographers, like us, are most likely willing to work with you to customize a package to suit your wedding’s specific needs.
A good, reputable photographer has a loyal client base that will continue to use them and recommend them to others, and does not need to entertain the antics of the auction room.
7. You Don’t Read What You Sign
You would be amazed how many people just sign their life away or just skim-read the terms and conditions before committing to a legally binding contract.
If your photographer has made you a verbal promise, get it in writing! We are one of the leading wedding photography companies in Oklahoma City because we make commitments and keep them. Actually, it is our goal to exceed your expectations. I tell my potential clients that there is no request we cannot fulfill, and I mean it… I also note it on the invoice!
If a promise is made by any photographer, but they don’t want to document it, or their written agreement contradicts what they have told you, RUN !
8. Trust Your “Gut Feeling”
If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
9. Unprofessional Behavior
The way someone dresses can say a great deal about the type of person they are.
There are some photographers who class themselves as artists and dress and act accordingly. Do you really want ripped jeans, multi-colored hair, Hawaiian style flower shirts and tattoo’s at your wedding.. Probably not!
The way a person looks and acts whilst trying to get your booking, is a good measure of how they will look and act at your wedding.
10. The Sample Album
When a photographer shows you a sample album, it should be an album of pictures from one wedding, not a collection of the best of…
Why is this important? Simply put, any yahoo can go to a wedding, take stacks of pictures and get a couple of good ones. So, an album of photographs with from 8-10 different weddings can not be a true reflection of their talent or ability to take great wedding photographs.
While viewing at the sample album or portfolio, ask the photographer about the wedding, to assess if this is really his work and not just his friend’s wedding album. (yes, that DOES happen!)
Ask how the different effects are created, a hesitant or unsure answer is a sure sign that something is not as it should be.
One last note:
Your wedding photographer has the honorable task of recording the day for you. They will be creating the only hard copy memories that survive past the honeymoon. You will be spending a large part of your wedding day with your photographer. They will be watching for the special moments that make great pictures. To get the best from your investment photographer you will need to work with them before, during and after your wedding. So, book someone you get along with, someone who listens to you and will work with you. Not all Oklahoma Wedding Photographers are the same.
Do you think I missed an important point? Do you have tips or a comment related to this article? Please feel free to email me, I would love to discuss this with you!
Best,
Aaron Knight
CEO & President
aaron@oklahomaweddingstudios,com
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