Comments on: 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Wedding Photographer

By: Cassandra Sasse

Cassandra Sasse — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:39:02 +0000

I agree with that first point very much. I would even find it hard as the photographer to do my job well if I knew my client wasn’t meshing well with me.

By: Pradeep

Pradeep — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 01:36:24 +0000

“The number one mistake to avoid when hiring a wedding photographer is to listen to everyone else” – the best advice anyone can give! It’s a very personal affair and the same style can evoke different reactions from different people. See as much sample work as you can. And yes, equipments DO matter.

By: Jen Hecht

Jen Hecht — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:31:36 +0000

Thank you!! This post so clearly sums up the issues I’ve been trying to find my own words to express to potential clients. It’s so important to feel you have a personality fit with your photographer. They’ll be glued to your side all day, through teary moments and intimate moments alike (and yes, sometimes that’s the same moment).

To choose your photographer based on “getting a great deal” is only okay when, in your heart of hearts, you absolutely know and trust that this person will

a) make you feel safe and relaxed in front of the camera and in close proximity with each other
b) reliably capture all the meaningful moments and forgotten glances so you can save them forever, no matter what, and…
c) deliver beautiful, acclaim-worthy photographs of your wedding day that summon up all the emotion and love of the day. Because you want to be able to look back proudly and joyfully at your wedding photos for the rest of your life, I promise.

Thanks for putting this together, everyone!

- Jen

By: Tony Sale

Tony Sale — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:32:53 +0000

I totally agree with this article. As a photographer I think it is vital to meet with clients prior to taking a booking. Not only so they can check out me, but also so that I can check them out. To make sure that I like them and that I feel able to work with them.

By: Juliana Naim

Juliana Naim — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:57:09 +0000

this post should have come up before my wedding in ’08. I have yet to receive my ‘sanding’ photos from the photographer my husband had engaged, and i think the photos are already somewhat nonexistent just so because I told the photographer to redo his artwork cause I really did not like it, it seemed he was rushing to finish it. he’s uncontactable now. aargh. there goes my money. but most of all important moments.
luckily this guy had passed me the raw copies.

By: Paul Gavin

Paul Gavin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:05:00 +0000

I am in the UK, and although this site is written for an American reader i agree 100% with all that has been said here.

I know us pro phtographers have a financial interest in people choosing us, but I would rather a couple choose another pro than an amateur if they decide not to chose me ….. THe disasters are out there, they are numerous and they can be avoided.

By: Janine Guidera

Janine Guidera — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:02:33 +0000

Great article. That is so true about ensuring your personalities ‘gell’. It’s so hard to work with clients if you really feel that you just don’t fit together. I honestly feel half the battle is won if you can really relax and relate to each other.

By: Eunice Brownlee

Eunice Brownlee — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:19:57 +0000

As an aspiring professional, I appreciate this post so much! A good friend of mine asked me to be in her wedding instead of shooting it, which was tough for me to handle at first, but I volunteered to help her hire the photographer. She declined, spent too little on a “professional” we are both now convinced used someone else’s images as portfolio images, and hates every single one of them.

With a photographer, it’s okay to be incredibly picky. Interview a dozen if you must! And if for a second your gut feels like it’s not right, keep looking.

By: Kate Gass

Kate Gass — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:45:37 +0000

Great article. I try to inform all of our potential clients before they choose a photographer how important it is to make sure they enjoy their photographers personailty. If you like someones work but don’t like them how fun will that be on your wedding day? It’s your wedding you should have it all.

By: cinidy brown

cinidy brown — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:42:22 +0000

Great article. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told folks that they should get the best photography they can for their money (and worry about the albums later, if they have to.) What good is an album full of mediocre pictures?