Guest Bloggers Wanted

 If you are a event coordinator, photographer, fashion designer, or paper artist and would like to be a guest on this blog, please contact me through my website at www.mrschadt.com/contact.aspx.

Your blog post must relate to weddings, baby showers, graduations, and other events formal gatherings. Articles that give advice, tutorials, and instruct readers on savoring memories during this momentous occassions are best.

Please note, that when you contact me, please tell me what business you are in, your website, and attach your proposed blog post. Links to your business website is permitable and encouraged, however all other affliate links will be removed from your post.

As owner of MRsCHADT, I have the right to edit any content from your post that may not be appropriate for my viewers. Basically, keep it clean.

Your content must be orginal and is considered a contribution to this site and therefore your compensation is deemed as the right to advertise your business through your blog post for one day.

This month our topic is weddings. I will be selecting different guest bloggers at different times that coordinate with the each months topic and relate to occassions that require guest books, photo albums, and autograph books.

I look forward to hearing from those interested.

How To Find the Best Wedding Photographer - Part 3

                  Alas, my last guest blog in my three-day series on the three P’s of choosing a wedding photographer is already here.  I am thankful for all of you who have followed me each day as I visited here at MRsCHADT’s blog.  If you are planning your wedding or know someone who is, I hope this provides a fresh perspective on finding a wedding photographer. 

                 Today, unfortunately, I have to talk about the dreaded dollar sign on the price tag of every wedding photographer. I wish this P wasn’t so high on the decision making list, but we both know it is often at the top of the list.

P#3: Price

Let’s get down to business

A touchy subject- I know.  Trust me.  When I planned my wedding, price was my first consideration.  Now as a wedding photographer, it is the first question I answer to potential clients.  So why didn’t I start with “price” as my first “P”?  Come on, would you really have come back on day two if I started talking about how much doe you needed to fork over for a great wedding photographer?  I didn’t think so.  Allow me to offer some guidance in finding the highest quality photographer with consideration for what your budget will allow. 

I Googled wedding prices and found the typical price range in the states for a wedding photographer is between $1000 and $5000.  That is a big range.  I can’t tell you how much you should or shouldn’t spend, but I will try to help you find someone of true value.

Warning: Clichés Ahead!

You get what you pay for.  Bear with me.  I know we already discussed using a professional photographer.  Most brides and grooms want an experienced, high quality, artist capturing the precious moments of their wedding day. No arguments there; however, many balk at the thought of a professional’s price. 

Beware!  If a photographer is practically giving away their work—red flag!  Being affordable is good, but being worth every penny in time and talent is much better. Let me assure you amateur photographers are a dime a dozen, which is probably more your price range, but we are talking about the only lasting part of you wedding day.  The flowers wilt, the cake gets eaten, the dress is preserved in a box and jammed into a corner in the attic, but the photographs are displayed and shown to generations long after your last anniversary.  

This is not the area to cut corners.  Dare I say it, skip the hors d’oeuvres and forget the limo for the mile ride from the church to the reception hall.  You won’t mind if those aren’t part of your wedding day, but you will regret your penny pinching every time you show off a collection of snap shots instead of an album of beautiful photographs.  Some photographers really are worth their weight in gold.

 

What you really really want

Whether it’s Daddy’s wallet or yours, times are tough.  Wedding services are a luxury and you have to make wise choices.  Few people can choose their photographer solely based on what they want.  Here are tips to get the most bang for your buck.

Coverage prices.  Find out what is included in your coverage price.  Is it just a fee for the service or are photos included?  Do not assume that if the coverage price is with-in your budget that you are good to go.  This is usually the starting point.  You need to add the additional cost of all of the prints, albums, and services that you will want after you see the proofs.

Look closely at packages and print prices.  Some packages limit you to one pose or a few poses.  I personally do not like this approach. I want you to be able to have each picture in the right size.  If you can’t have printing options with that flexibility, you may end up paying for images that you don’t really need.

What do you really want?  A show stopping wall portrait?  A coffee table style book?  Talk to your loved ones.  If you are planning to buy any photos or albums for parents, it is best to look at prices with your need in mind.  You do not want to pay hundreds of dollars for amazing images and find that you can’t afford to have them printed.

If you view a photographer’s full price list with a firm idea of the number of images and products you want to walk away with, you’ll have an easier time staying within your budget.  Unfortunately, brides don’t often think of the cost of the photos until after the wedding.  It easy to be swayed by a flood of emotions when viewing your wedding proofs.  If your don’t have your list of your predetermined needs sitting close by it will be hard to stay focused on what you can afford to spend rather than what you feel pressured to buy.

I wish every couple planning their wedding could select a photographer just because they love their work.  But if that is not the case for you, I hope you are able to quickly evaluate each price list compared, find a few in your range, and enjoy deciding between the quality and artistry of the photographer’s work.

There it is-- the conclusion of my time with you here.  I hope my three P’s help you find a wedding photographer who will capture the essence of your “I do.”  Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list, but it should definitely help you make educated choices in regard to who gets to create the way people remember your wedding.  I’d love to read your comments on cost.  Any regrets about the choices you made with money on your wedding day?  If you came to the blog late, I’d be happy to continue taking questions, comments, and snide remarks on my facebook page.  

Now, in the spirit of guest blogging, I’d love to add to your planning excitement with a giveaway.  I will award one couple with a free engagement (or anniversary if you are already married) session.  The perfect addition to your wedding guestbook!  To enter to win, leave a comment here on this blog.  Visit my facebook page www.facebook.com/www.wilhelmphotography to see the contest rules.  I will randomly select one person’s comment and announce the winner on my facebook page- so don’t forget to join!  Also, don’t forget to stop by my website in your search for your wedding photographer!  http://www.wilhelm-photography.com/

How to Find the Best Wedding Photographer - Part 2

Thank you for returning to read more of my Three P’s of choosing a wedding photographer.  Yesterday, I argued that hiring a professional is a necessary investment to secure quality images of your important day.  Today, I want to show you how to critically evaluate a photographer’s portfolio to see if they will represent your personal style well.   You will find you don’t need an artist’s eye to find photographers with truly striking images.

P#2: Portfolio

Putting their best foot forward…

The most exciting way to choose a photographer is by looking at their work. I doubt I have to tell you to check out their website and facebook page to see what kind of wedding photos they take, but let me tell you a little secret.  A smart photographer only puts their most stunning work on their website.  

Beautiful portraits and detail shots grace many wedding photographer’s studio windows and gallery websites, but here is what you don’t see as much of: ceremony shots, family portraits, reception partying, and candid’s. 

The main reason for the missing images is that they contain personal content mostly appealing to the bride and groom-- not a potential client.  The other reason?  A photographer doesn’t have as much control during those parts of the wedding.  They have to rely on speed, experience, and some good fortune when they cannot interrupt to tweak an image. 

No one wants the photographer side by side with the pastor to allow for a perfect shot of the groom slipping the wedding ring onto his wife’s French-tipped finger.  During moments like the ceremony, the couple should be wrapped-up in their nerves and passion.  Imagine… the groom leans in for the first kiss and the photographer yells, “Will you tilt your chin a little to the left?”  A better photo?  Sure, but it ruins everything.

I think you can understand why photographers tend to shine in areas they can have more control over.  This is not to say they shouldn’t also be able to document the ceremony and other uninterruptable parts, but those photos don’t always make the opening image of the slideshow. 

However, photojournalistic images will be important to you when it is your wedding day, so ask to see a sample of a complete wedding.  When you get to see all the proofs from a wedding it will give you a solid perspective of the quality of coverage you will receive.

The good, the bad, and the why is that in the picture?

                        I won’t spend much time on this subject, but there are a few big no-no’s in photography that you want to be on the look out for.  In order to practice developing a critical eye you remember to look at the presentation of the subject not the actual subject.  What do I mean by this?   Let’s take facebook for example.  I am sure you have a friend who has posted a dark, grainy, slightly out-of-focus photo of a child and watched the flood of comments heralding it as a great photo.  I contest it is the cute kid that they love- not the photo. 

When you are viewing the work of a wedding photographer, you need to decide if you like the image because the bride is ravishing or because the lighting is exquisite and composition elegant.  Rather than spending pages telling you what makes an aesthetically pleasing photograph, allow me to steer you away from the photo faux pas you don’t want to see in your album. 

Shadows.  Sometimes they creep up behind the bride and groom, but the scary ones fall right across the faces.  Dark shadows crossing the faces of the happy couple are a sign the photographer was not controlling their lighting.  

Watch for mergers.  You know, objects in the background that look like they are part of the subject but shouldn’t be.  Nothing is more romantic that a flower arrangement growing right out of the brides up-do.  If it distracts or competes with the important elements, it just shouldn’t be there! 

Photos should be clean and sharp.  They should be cropped appropriately.  Yes, if you are going to show ankles you should also include feet.  And even though the flower girl is as sweet as cotton candy, people are still going to notice the stop sign and trash can in the background.

Not my style

Remember, every photographer has a unique style.  If you don’t like their perspective, color-treatments, and over-all approach, do not think that they will change it for you.  All photographers have different talents and visions that are ingrained in them. Not everyone likes my style of shooting.  My style evolves the longer I shoot, but I am still drawn to certain styles of composing my shot; it is just part of the way I see a subject.

Most photographers have an area of strength.  I have worked in several print labs and for a few photographers before starting my own business.  I saw photographers who shined in weddings because they had very strong photojournalist styles.  Others thrived when they controlled every aspect of a photo and created masterful portraits.  Some have very modern approaches, and others remain comfortable with traditional poses and lighting.  It is smart to identify what you want your wedding photographs to look like, and find a photographer who consistently produces a similar work. 

If a photographer shows you what they offer, and you see major style issues that you would like to have changed for your wedding, you should probably keep looking.  You want to choose a photographer whose style is both exciting and artistically appealing to you so you enjoy your day without looking over your shoulder at the camera-guy.

I would love to hear what style of photography catches your eye!  Leave a comment and tell me what types of photos capture you attention.  Are you in love with black and white candid’s, or do you prefer edgy color images of the bridal party jumping in a field? 

Tomorrow, I will tackle the elephant in the room—price.   I will also tell you how you can win a free engagement session with me!  Until then, go on your own search for great and not so great wedding images to hone your selective skills for choosing a photographer.

How To Find the Best Wedding Photographer - Part 1

I am very pleased to be able to guest blog for MRsCHADT today.  In fact, she has invited me to be here for three days, and I am very happy to oblige. 

If you are like me, I am sure you appreciate the one-of-a-kind personal touches in treasured items for special occasions. That is probably why you’ve been checking out the beautifully crafted books on this site. As a photographer, I know there are two important ways to preserve memories of a special occasion—guest books and photographs.  There is no more important time to consider these things than when planning your wedding. 

Since you are already in the right place to find the perfect guest book, MRsCHADT has asked me to give you some pointers to find the best photographer for your wedding.  I am tempted to just give you my web address—http://www.wilhelm-photography.com/.  Oops, where’d that come from? But instead, I’d like to arm you with all the necessary information you should consider when choosing the photographer for your big day.  I have organized my tips into the Three P’s of choosing a wedding photographer. I’ll tell you about one each day that I am here.

Being a wedding photographer myself, I hope to unveil some of the mysteries of the business so you don’t have to wade through endless websites and wedding shows trying to find a good match for you.  So, without further self-promotion, here is the first of my Three P’s for choosing the best wedding photographer.

P #1:  Professionalism

A camera does not a wedding photographer make.

I know, this is not the fun place to start.  You’d like to skip this and go right to looking at photos, but today everybody and their uncle thinks they are a photographer and I want you to be sure your wedding is in good hands.

Now, everybody has to start somewhere, but you may not want to put the fate of your wedding album into the hands of the aspiring artist in your family or circle of friends.  Sure, they might promise to have all of your photos on a CD by the time you get back from your honeymoon, but will they really be able to deliver the storybook beauty of the fairytale day you have been planning for…well, since you were clomping around in your mom’s high heels and slip playing dress-up.

Experience is worth its weight in gold when it comes to a wedding photographer!  A seasoned photographer will be prepared for the rush of the day and will anticipate the events to capture the truly precious memories. Don’t be afraid to ask, “How long have you been doing this?”

Say, “How do you do and shake hands.”

You wouldn’t choose your wedding location without going to see the venue yourself.  Meeting your photographer is equally important.  Photographers are part of your day just like the flowers, bridesmaids dresses, and triple tiered cake.  Your guests see and interact with them.  It is important that you approve of the way they dress and carry themselves.  I think most photographers who have successful businesses have a fairly good handle on this-hence they are successful, but it is always good to be sure. 

Maybe you will meet a photographer at a wedding show, or see them working at a friend’s wedding.  These are great times to take notice to how they dress and act in professional situations.  If you found your photographer through the internet, schedule a time to meet with them to ask about their work.  If you plan to have engagement photos taken, by all means, schedule them with the same photographer.  This is the perfect way to get see their personality and quality of work.

A great wedding photographer helps to keep things moving, especially during the allotted time for portraits so look for someone whose personality is both confident and friendly.  A timid photographer might have a tough time lining up and rearranging all twenty three family members including Granny who is four feet tall and can’t stand long because of her bunions, the texting, too-cool-for-a-tie teenage brother, and a nephew who keeps giving everyone bunny ears.  It takes a charismatic person to get that group in place and smiling at the camera.

  

What’s in their bag of tricks?

When you meet with a perspective photographer you will get a feel for whom they are, but there are a few questions you should also ask regarding their professional approach to photographing.  You don’t want to have guest showing up with better gear than your photographer—bad sign!  Ask what equipment they are using.  Do they have back-up cameras?  Can they provide additional lighting sources (unless you like the color of your church’s florescent lights?)  Will there be one photographer or two?  That last one is important if you love candids. I’ll come back to that point in a minute,

A professional photographer’s quality work doesn’t end with the gear they bring to the wedding.  One thing you often forfeit when you use an amateur photographer is print quality.  Will your photographs be retouched?  Do they have software and professional labs that will handle your images with care and perfection, or are they going to take your images to the local drug store?

Now, going back to the importance of having two photographers… The main photographer is going to be very busy focusing on the major events of the day.  I only shoot weddings with a second photographer for this reason.  I am in charge of what I call the “bread-and-butter” shots.  These are images my couple expects to see in their proofs. 

That means when I am securing the tear-jerking toast, I am unavailable to snap a photo of the adorable ring-bearer stealing a taste of icing form the cake.  I bring a second photographer to be on the lookout for priceless moments that are un-planned.  You have to decide if candids are an important part of what you expect in your album, but that brings me to point number two... and that will have to wait until tomorrow.

I hope this helps you see the advantages of hiring a professional wedding photographer.  If you have any questions about my first “P” please post them below.  Or post your experience.  Have you learned the hard way about how important it is to hire a professional, or did picking the right photographer save your day?  I’d love to hear about it! 

I hope you will be back tomorrow.  And if you stick with me all three days, I will give-away a free engagement session to my one of my commenters!  Stay tuned to enter.

Photo Fabulous

I haven't taken a break, still working steady in the studio, but I wanted to let you know that starting tomorrow I've invited a guest blogger here on MRsCHADT.

I'd like nothing more than to see the extrodinary photos in the back of your guest book albums be the kind to make you sigh or even cry from their beauty. That's why I've asked professional photographer Tonya Wilhelm, of Wilhelm Photography, to give us some tips for those brides-to-be out there, who are looking to hire a photographer for their special day.

So be sure to stay tuned these next three days for Tonya's How to Find the Best Wedding Photographer series!

I'll be back again on Friday.