Century Color Labs

Weddings….I think that’s all that is ever on my mind! I am currently a bridesmaid for three of my friends. One will be married April 28^th, another May 4^th, (yes that’s the following weekend) and the other June or July (they haven’t set a date yet). By the end of these weddings I will have been in 10 weddings.  Needless to say, most of my conversations and weekend plans revolve around driving to New York for dress fittings, visiting venues and service providers, Engagement parties or showers,  and gift buying, A LOT of gift buying. But one of the things that brides are always unsure of picking is a photographer. They want to make sure their day is well documented and nothing is left out, because after the day is over, all they have is their photos. Now you may be asking yourself, “What do brides look for when they are looking for a photographer?” Since being a bridesmaid is like a profession for me, I can tell from my experience some of the top questions and concerns of my friends as they look for photographers.

Can I see your portfolio? Before you as a photographer even get a call, the bride has already extensively Googled you. All reviews of your work can be found online, and she has read them. Anyone that she knows who has used you in the past or for their wedding has been thoroughly interviewed. Any and all photographs posted as samples on your website have been viewed. They want to know what kind of experience you have and how others feel about your service. But then when they meet with you, they love to look at your sample albums or portfolios while you chat about particulars. So, we like photographers who will bring materials when they meet with us.

How long will you be at my wedding? How many hours will you be shooting, and what type of shots? Now all brides know that depending on price this can change, but they want the most out of their photographer for that day. They don’t want you to miss a thing! When grandma decides to “Get Jiggy Wit It” on the dance floor, she wants you there capturing that. Because really, we all wish we had a photo of our grandmother getting down on the dance floor! But they also need some nice family shots and friend shots too, and getting ready with all the girls is important. These are the types of things that brides want you to assure them, will not be missed.

 What is your price? Brides have budgets, and have to respect them. So they need to know exactly what they will be paying, out the door and down the road, for your service. Putting this on paper at the first meeting is beneficial for both you and the bride. Brides will put that paper into their “bride planner” (which during engagement becomes her bible) this way when they call you back there will be no communication error between what you had originally set as a price.

I love my friends and I love all the weddings. When it’s all over and the girls get their photo album from the wedding, I always have to see it. Even though I was there, the memories always make us smile.

Happy Blogging