Of Pictures and Personalities

There are a lot of factors that contribute to having your perfect wedding. The right colours, the right flowers, the right food and the right entertainment are just a few examples of what makes it yours. What makes it last in your mind however, is making sure that you get the right person to capture your day. Whether that person is a photographer, a videographer or both, you want to make sure you are on the same wavelength to get the experience you want.

There are a few very important things to keep in mind when shopping for the photographer you will entrust with one of the most important days of your life. It has been my experience that are the four ‘P’s that couples should look for.

Price – For most couples, this is the biggest factor in booking a photographer for your wedding day. There are photographers for every price point.

Portfolio – You are choosing a photographer that speaks to your sense of style. Photography is very, very subjective. If you don’t like the pictures on a photographer’s website, chances are you wouldn’t like your wedding photographs from them. Make sure when you are booking your photographer that you are meeting and seeing the work of the photographer(s) that will be there on your big day. Some studios have more than one photographer on staff.

Products – What is included in your package, can you make substitutions? Add ons? Will you have to purchase your prints, or do you have usage rights? Make sure all this information is spelled out in your contract.

Lastly and the ‘P’ I find most overlooked in other articles about what to look for in your photographer is Personality –  If you and your photographer have trouble communicating or they aren’t a good fit for you, it can affect the mood on your wedding day and your pictures in the long run. I have met with many brides and grooms to discuss their event. I like to get a sense of their personalities, including if I think I will fit in with their day. Personality is not really something that you can ask a few questions about in an E-mail, you really need to meet with someone to know what they are like. Even then, people’s personalities can vary from situation to situation. It’s best to pay attention to how you feel during and after the meeting with your photographer, or any other service provider for that matter. Even if you love their portfolio, nothing can make up for the disappointment you will feel if their personality affects your wedding day negatively.

Let’s look at a few things you will want to take note of during your meeting:

Are you someone who likes the details?

If this is you, you want to make sure your photographer is someone with a clear and concise contract delineating what is expected of everyone for the wedding date and all services surrounding it as well. A small contract? They may not have the penchant for details that you do.

Watch and see if they are taking lots of notes about special moments, added ceremonies or ceremony VIPs. If they aren’t, find out if and when they gather this information. Some photographers prefer to do it closer to the date to have what you want fresh in their minds.

Are you someone who is easy-going and flexible?

Is your photographer trying to talk you into an engagement session when you really don’t want it? Most photographers have them already included in their packages, but if for some reason you do not want to have one done, you shouldn’t feel forced into doing one.

*Having said that, as a photographer, I do note that there is a real benefit to have an engagement session done before your wedding. It will allow you and your partner to find a comfortable working relationship with your photographer and the camera.

Occasionally, churches or officiants do not allow pictures during a portion of the ceremony, if that is the case, is your photographer upset by this?

A true professional photographer will not do anything that is against the house rules of your venue. In churches this can mean a lot of tip-toeing needs to be done. If your photographer is trying to convince you that you should be allowed to take pictures during your ceremony and you don’t want to, then flexibility and easy-going are not things that this photographer is. However, if you want pictures done in the church, it is important that you contact your officiant and see what can be arranged.

Are you outgoing or are you serious?

There isn’t a wrong answer here, but chances are whichever describes you better, you’ll want a photographer to match your tone. I like to joke around with my clients and some people may find that unprofessional. It’s just who I am, so my clients need to have a sense of humour. If they are looking for someone to be clinically concise with group photos, or not interact with anyone throughout the festivities then I’m not the photographer for them. Are they open to fun, non-traditional ideas for poses? This is something you will likely be able to tell from their portfolio as well. Whichever you are looking for, you’ll be able to tell quickly upon meeting your photographer what category they fall into.

There’s not really a checklist for all of the personality traits you’d search for in a photographer, everyone is different. Just make sure that once you are done meeting with all the potential photographers you will be considering, that you sit down with your partner and talk vibes. Do you both agree that past all the technical stuff covered in the first three ‘P’s, that their personality is right. If one of you doesn’t feel comfortable, that will affect your big day. No matter how beautiful their shots are, if they were an awkward fit that is the feeling you will get when you look at those photos for a long time after. Find the photographer that is the best fit!

Jennifer Barnes

JB Photography

www.jbphotography.ca

Like Jenn on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jbphotographyfans

Member of the PPA