The great news is that I now offer a Free DVD slideshow (worth £150!!) to all brides who book my full day package.
click on link below to see a sample and call me for details:
Rick
I have just returned from a holiday in Derbyshire – and begun to edit many of the snow pics I managed to get! Here are just a few from West Malling taken before I left (nb all images copyright RJM Photographic 2009):
The scene from my front door as I awoke on 18th December:
Church in the Snow
Snowy Churchyard
Manor Park Country Park in the snow
Lake
I hope to post more from an equally snow covered Derbyshire soon….
Rick
The Rings
How To Choose Your Wedding Photographer
Choosing a photographer who can give you a professional service at a price you can afford is possibly the most important decision you can make aside from deciding who you will marry! Many brides find this a challenge – after all is said and done there are many to choose from. This article will help guide you through a process that can fraught – and if you follow the advice, you can be confident that you will make the right choice.
Let’s start at the beginning and ask the question: “Do I really need a professional wedding photographer?”
If you want a beautiful record of your day then make sure you book a professional! Remember, everyone owns a camera – not everyone is a photographer. There are countless stories of brides looking to save money and making the mistake of getting their best friend, who owns a decent camera, to take on the huge responsibility of capturing the emotion and magic of your wedding – and FAILING!
The word professional is key here. A professional wedding photographer specialises in his/her trade – so just as you wouldn’t consider your GP a brain surgeon – don’t confuse any photographer with a wedding specialist. A wedding photographer will take steps an amateur overlooks to ensure that nothing goes wrong on the day:
An amateur is unlikely to do any of these things – and a wedding is a one-off event that cannot be re-staged. Why take the chance? I am not arguing that there is no need to budget for your wedding – simply that skimping on photography is not the wisest choice as there are many other options that are less likely to compromise the memories of the big day.
But beware – like a lot of things in life, you get what you pay for! Caveat emptor as the Romans would say. Wedding photography does not have to be super expensive. If you choose a photographer with a national or international reputation you will pay more.
However, there are many photographers available who will charge a reasonable rate and still provide a professional experience – and I regard myself as one of these.
1. Start early – many photographers, especially good ones are booked in advance. You want to be sure to get the right person for the job and not make a last minute decision.
2. Research – this is very easy now if you have access to google. Search for a local photographer if at all possible to ensure ease of communication. First of all ensure that they are a member of a professional body. Look for the letters SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers) or BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photographers). Shortlist 5 possibles and make notes.
3. Determine - your favoured photography style: traditional, reportage, contemporary or artistic? For mor information on wedding photography styles – view my article on this subject here.
4. Set up a face-to-face consultation – with the top 3 on your shortlist. You will need to make a decision based on:
• Styles of photography on offer
• Price – what is included and what isn’t?
• Personality – is the photographer someone you can deal with for a whole day?
• Can the photographer share testimonials from satisfied brides – can you verify them?
• Is the person you are speaking to the person who is going to photograph you wedding?
• Check they are insured with public liability and professional indemnity cover
• Check whether a deposit is required or payment in full. A deposit may not be refundable.
5. Make your decision – and negotiate. Some photographers are more open to this than others but it is always worth asking. Once you are happy with the price and are armed with sufficient information go ahead and make your booking.
6. Ensure - you receive a wedding contract or booking form with terms and conditions of your booking. Ask fro clarification on any jargon or legalese that may be contained in this document.
7. Note several different ways of keeping in contact with your chosen professional, phone numbers, skype number, web address, blog details and so on.
8. Maintain contact with your photographer – a professional will not mind and will usually ensure the he/she keeps in contact with you in the run up to your wedding. Call him/her a month before your wedding and then again a week before to ensure that everything is going to plan.
9. Establish a back-up plan – despite taking every precaution things can still go wrong! A photographer may fall ill on the day or be involved in an accident. Details of what will happen in the case of such an unfortunate event should be in your booking form. Ask your friend with a decent camera and perhaps some skill to take particular shots. Remind them to bring back-up camera, memory cards and batteries if possible. Consider purchasing disposable cameras for all your guests.
10. Enjoy your big day – I take particular pride in shooting weddings with the minimum amount of fuss and direction. Your wedding is a huge occasion and you should be able to get great images without too much posing or intervention.
So the lesson here is that you do need a professional to cover your wedding and that you can be confident that you have engaged a photographer who will meet your needs (and perhaps exceed them) at a price that you are comfortable with. I am sure that you have some great tips too – so why not contribute and comment on this article?
A good friend of mine and one of my first wedding clients – has set up in business as a First-Aid Training provider – so this post is congratulate Cheryl and let everyone know about Angel Training.
Visit website: Angel Training
Established in 2009, Angel Training has many years experience in the health sector, and provides first aid training to clients throughout Kent. The company is situated in Aylesford. Offering a variety of first aid courses including; appointed persons, and paediatric courses. HSE approved courses such as, emergency first aid at work and the full first aid at work course is also available. Also available is visual impairment training to help provide businesses with confidence when working with people with sight loss. This is a hands on course with many daily living skills under simulation.
Visit website: Angel Training
Best wishes
We are all too aware that times are difficult – and never more so for brides working to tight budgets! If you are getting married in 2010 and want professional reliable wedding photography to guarantee capture of your special memories – read on:
My budget wedding coverage for 2010 starts at only £295.00 for 2 hours coverage and includes all images at 6 x 4 on CD.
To qualify for this special offer all you have to do is book me before Jan 1st 2010. Act now to ensure that a professional covers your wedding day. I won’t compromise on quality – why would you?
please fill in this simple form and include the date of your special day:
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