john-michaels.com Blog

How NOT to Choose a Wedding Photographer
By Mike Dubnoff

You may have seen it on practically every wedding photographer’s web page and in bridal magazines. It seems that everyone wants to give the bride and groom advice on how to choose a wedding photographer. Most of what I have read is sound and useful advice, but I thought it might be helpful to write an article that explores this in more detail. So let’s look at the mistakes brides and grooms often make in choosing their photographer.

Over the past several years as a wedding photographer, I have had the opportunity to speak with hundreds of engaged couples. I am always surprised by some of the criteria many of them use to choose their wedding photographer. Here are the top 7 mistakes I feel many brides and grooms make when selecting a photographer for their big day:

1. RELYING ON WEDDING VENDOR REFERRALS. This may be the worst mistake of them all. Many wedding vendors trade referrals with other wedding professionals with no real knowledge of the other’s work. And yes, many times it’s an honest referral based upon working a few weddings with one another. But how much can a DJ, for example, really know about the quality of a wedding photographer’s work? Often times this type of referral is just based on the fact that the DJ has worked with the photographer at a number of events and liked him or her. Did the DJ ever see the final result? Did they see the wedding album? Probably not.

2. JUDGING A PHOTOGRAPHER BASED SOLELY ON A “GREATEST HITS” WEDDING ALBUM PORTFOLIO. There is nothing more misleading regarding a photographer’s talent than looking at a sample wedding album that is a compilation of their best shots at 50 different weddings. An album such as this may be useful in understanding just how great an image they are capable of producing, but that’s really all it tells you. Ask to be shown an album of one entire wedding from start to finish. A good wedding photographer should be able to produce complete albums, which will give you a better idea of how your own wedding will be photographed. Virtually anybody with a decent camera can get one great shot per wedding!

3. PAYING TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO THE SALES PITCH. Every photographer can tell you great things about themselves and so they should. But in your initial wedding consultation, look for photographers who are interested in YOU. A good photographer will want to know the types of photography styles you are interested in and what you are looking for in a wedding photographer. A photographer who asks you lots of questions about your wedding and your preferences will probably also be more likely to listen to you and have a better sense of what you want. If the wedding meeting is just one long lecture from the photographer, move on to the next photographer. Find someone who cares.

4. NOT ASSESSING THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S PERSONALITY. This is a biggie. You will spend the entire day with your photographer. If you don’t get along with him or her, it can ruin what should be the happiest day of your life. Rude and bossy photographers can also cause problems with your guests. Find a photographer who is easy to talk to and who you can establish good rapport with.

5. CHOOSING “UNCLE BOB” TO SHOOT YOUR WEDDING! With digital cameras now in practically everyone’s hands, there seems to be a lot more “wedding photographers” out there. The fact that a friend or relative is good with his new digital camera does not mean he can handle a wedding. And what about file backups? Does your family photographer know how to do a correct backup, or even have the proper computer hardware to do it? In my business, I bring a portable hard drive to every wedding and the images are uploaded and checked on the spot. When I get back to my studio, the images are uploaded to my main computer and then backed up on an external hard drive. Once that is complete, 2 back up DVD’s are burned. Only then will I erase the cards I used for the wedding. You don’t want your memories to go up in smoke along with a burnt out hard drive.

6. CARING ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS TYPE OF CAMERA EQUIPMENT. In this day and age, a photographer can make great images with any medium to high quality camera. Wedding photographers who spend an inordinate amount of time discussing the type of equipment they use may not be the right person for you. What you really want to know is what type of images they can produce and if they can show you plenty of samples. It’s the final result that matters. If you are happy with what they show you and everything else checks out OK, you can assume their equipment is adequate for the task.

7. CONFUSION OVER PRICING. If you can’t understand the pricing or packages, keep looking. Package pricing, if flexible, is the best way to go. It allows you to have a better idea of what your final bill will be. Ala carte pricing can confuse and be misleading. You may assume that something you thought was included in their coverage costs extra. Like a wedding album! However, a photographer who only offers strictly structured packages should also be avoided. Ultimately, you want to find someone who will work within your budget and give you exactly what you want. If you don’t see a package that fits your needs, ask the photographer to let you design your own.

This list was not intended to intimidate people in the market for a wedding photographer. It should, however, help you understand what’s important. Find a photographer with a style you prefer and who shows you images that you love. Use that initial consultation as a way to get to know your photographer and develop rapport. Talk to some former clients to get a sense of how the photographer behaved at the wedding. If everything looks good, you are ready to make your decision!

John Michael is a Fort Myers, Florida Professional Photographer. His work has been published in local newspapers, commercial brochures and magazines. With numerous weddings to his credit, John has established himself as one of the leading wedding photographers in Southwest Florida. Visit our web site at http://www.John-Michaels.com for more information.

John Michael believes that receiving your pictures should not be a hassle, but a gift.
Rather than charging “bookoo” money for prints, packages, and ownership, John gives you a FREE large resolution photo CD– the ability to make enlargements and use your pictures in any way that you choose.

When you select John Michael’s for your professional photographic needs, you only pay for the package that meets your needs. This includes digital photo enhancement to ensure the best quality pictures at no extra charge.
In addition, John will also print any individual pictures at your convenience for a small additional fee.

Our services are at standardized rates and are not complicated or pricey and we come to you! Simply put, you will know exactly what you’ll spend before you arrive for your session. Our rates always include master retouching of your finished images which guarantees to make you look your best. The session fee includes approximately one hour of photography, 25-50 images. We also include a private online proof gallery with viewing and print ordering for 4 weeks.

• Executive Headshots: $75.00 delivered on CD ready for web and print.

• Individual Portraits: $150.00 includes CD and 11 X 14 in color or black and white.

• Model and Glamour: $275.00 delivered on CD ready for web and print.

Retouching services that we provide:

John Michael’s Photography takes great images and makes them even better with professional retouching services. Retouching is provided on your final order to soften lines and eliminate blemishes- all at no charge.

Plan and Prepare…

At John Michael’s Photography, we understand that you want a variety of portrait styles. While mom and dad may want to display formal poses, friends may prefer a more casual style. Offers may vary from studio to studio, however at John Michael’s you’ll always have a wide variety of session options to choose form to meet your portrait needs.

Clothing Suggestions
• Bring multiple outfits (formal and casual) that express who you are
- Solid colors and long sleeves photograph best
• Bring matching shoes, socks, and accessories to complete your outfits
• Iron wrinkled clothes prior to your session
• Consider bringing an additional suit, letter jackets, uniforms, sports equipment, and musical instruments to express your interests, making your portraits personal.

Just for Girls
• Paint your nails (clear or neutral colors work best)
• Style your hair before your session, choosing a comfortable style you know looks good
• Apply concealer and powder if necessary to minimize blemishes and then stop worrying! Portrait retouching on your final order can eliminate small blemishes and under-eye circles
• Apply make-up before you arrive and bring product with you for touch-ups if necessary
• Limit sun exposure prior to your portrait session avoiding burns or tan lines
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Friends and family are welcome to assist you with your session or join in on the fun!

Just for Guys
• Trim and clean your finger nails
• Style your hair before your session and bring a comb or brush for touch-ups if necessary
- Consider getting a haircut approximately one week prior to your session
• Shave before your session
• Limit sun exposure prior to your portrait session avoiding burns or tan lines
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Friends and family are welcome to assist you with your session or join in on the fun!

Visit our Web-Site at www.John-Michaels.com or
Call us at 239-560-6901 to book your session today!

Stress.

It seems to be something that can eat away at all of us. It’s how you handle the stress that matters and that’s one thing I hear from many of the couples I photograph.
“John, you kept us happy and smiling when we were really heading down.”
Or, another time when I heard, “John, you took all of the worries and concerns away and let us enjoy what was ours, the day.”

I guess it was then that I began to realize just how much stress couples go through. Did I go through that same stress on my wedding day? I don’t recall, but I do know it was a great day. So as your day gets closer, don’t let the worries or concerns bring an extra weight to your shoulder. Try not to put to much emphasis on certain aspects of your day. It will all happen and chances are pretty good it will not begin to happen until you’re there anyway.

Take a couple minutes to take it all in. From waking up through the reception. Just take it in. Don’t worry if the limo arrives somewhere around 10 minutes late, or if the sun is out or not. It just happens that so much of your day is out of your control, so stop and ask yourself, “why do I have to control this?” The answer, you don’t.

Let your day unfold and realize that it will be beautiful no matter what the weather, or no matter what happened to your dress. Don’t worry if you’re 10 minutes late to the ceremony, it’s your day! Why should you worry or stress at all? YOU SHOULDN’T!

So you’ve done what you can do, let everyone else worry for you now. It will all be beautiful. But don’t forget to stop and take that beauty in.

What I am saying is to just stop. Go into a corner and look around. Look at all the smiling faces, the tears, the laughter and all the little things you put time into. Look at it all and take it in, hold it near and know that this day, YOUR DAY, is a beautiful thing!