Hiring Your Photographer
You have worked so hard planning your event, and paying attention to details. The mood/ambiance is perfect, the decor is just as you envisioned it should be, your guests are having a fantastic time and the day is everything you wanted it to be. Once your event is over and your pictures are ready to be proofed, you realise that your photographer has not captured the ambiance, mood or decor of your event as well as you would have liked/expected.
One of the most important people you will hire for your event is the photographer. A good photographer will capture the story of your day and provide everlasting memories. With so many photographers to choose from, making the right choice can feel overwhelming. When deciding on the right photographer for you, your budget, personality and style should be key factors when making your decision. It is very important that you interview a number of photographers (at least a minimum of 3) before deciding on the right photographer for you.
A good place to start your search is through personal recommendations from friends and family (as their views and opinions will be more closely aligned with yours). Ask your friends/family if you can take a look at pictures taken by the photographer to get a sense of the photographer's style. It is also important to find out from your friends/family what the photographer's personality was like, and if they were able to have a good rapport with the photographer. Friends/family would also provide you with a guide of the photographer's price range, enabling you to assess whether their costs are within your budget.
If you have an event planner, ask them to recommend a number of photographers. Event planners have trusted people that they work very well with. Your planner will need to understand your budget and style to be able to recommend suitable photographers. If you are not using the services of an event planner, you can ask your event coordinator for a list of photographers they have worked with in the past. The photographer may have recent pictures of an event that took place at your chosen venue, providing you with the opportunity to see how your event may look.
Another great place to search for photographer is the internet. You can look through different photo galleries on their website to get a feel of the photographer's style and personality.
Once you have short-listed the photographers you would like to meet with, give them a call in the first instant (if possible). The phone conversation will give you a clearer view of what their price range is and if they are available on the day of your event. This process will help whittle down the photographers further, limiting it to those that meet your needs. Below are some of the key questions you should ask when you meet with a photographer:
• Will the person you are meeting with and whose work you have seen, be the person who will cover your event?
• Is there an X number of hours for which they contract or are they available until the cake cutting or first dance if for a wedding or for the whole day? A typical day can range from 8 - 10 hours of work.
• What is included in your photo session?
• What style of photography do they offer e.g. Traditional, Artistic, Reportage, a mix of styles etc?
• Do they offer an online proofing or proof album
• What are their travel fees, if applicable?
• What is their backup plan in case they fall ill or cannot do the work for any other reason?
• What is their cancellation policy in the unlikely event you need to postpone or cancel your event?
• What is the cost for exceeding the contracted time?
At the end of the respective interviews, you should be able to decide which photographer meets your requirements. Budget, and style are all important considerations, but personality should be top of the list. It is important that you feel comfortable with your photographer, as you will be in direct contact with him/her during and after your event. Pick an experienced, seasoned photographer who instills you with confidence, and whose quality of work and portfolio is detailed and is in line with your personal style.
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