Saturday
Nov292008
Go with the Pro
Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 6:48PM
We've all heard the media doom and gloom about the credit crunch; how we should all save our pennies and be more frugal in general. This of course is always a good idea, even in the best of times- just in case the worst does happen and your employer has to make cutbacks (trust me, I know from personal experience here) or your personal circumstances change. In the current economic climate, the bridal websites and glossy magazines are full of money-saving tips for your wedding day. However, just as in a more 'normal' economic climate, this is not always the best idea when it comes to your wedding photography. Below I suggest some reasons not to make cutbacks on your professional photography budget...
1) The old cliche..but it's true! Other than your rings, dress and possibly a video, your wedding photos will be the only thing that you have to keep long after the big day. The cake, hangovers and maybe even the gifts will be gone, but a quality wedding album can last generations.
2) A professional can be trusted to turn up, and should have a contract to that effect. A friend is also trustworthy, but nothing short of the very worst should prevent a pro from being there. If they don't turn up, they will often have a network of experienced contacts who can fulfill the contract for them. The level of service you receive from a pro will also be better- you will usually have an initial consultation and at least one pre-wedding meeting, and the photographer may visit the venue beforehand if it is one they are unfamiliar with, in order to check out good locations. Having said this not all pros will meet you- with trusted 'big names' or if you are in a different geographical location, the entire process may be completed by phone or online.
3) If the worst does happen and the photographer or backup cannot make the date, he/she should be insured (professional indemnity insurance) so you can at least claim compensation. If somebody happens to injure themselves falling over equipment, a good pro will also be covered by liability insurance.
4) A pro will always have backup equipment- not just one but sometimes two or more backup cameras, flashes and lenses as well as a plentiful supply of film or memory cards. If your designated friend/relative's camera suddenly breaks, all you may end up with is a collection of snapshots from other guests with poor lighting and composition.
5) Experience counts. A well-meaning relative or friend may have a shiny new camera or even one they've had for a while, but can they react to any situation (What if the sun goes in? What if it's really bright? He used a flash so why are they all dark? Mum's skin isn't that shade of orange surely?) or know how to get the look you want in your wedding images? With a pro you are guaranteed consistent and better results than Mum or Uncle Fred can give (unless of course, they're also a pro!).
6) Cutting back on the prints and album by getting them developed at the local 'QuickSnaps' may seem like a good idea at the time, but professional photographic prints from a dedicated lab will last and last. They may have special coatings for water resistance and to prevent fading, which mass-market labs may not use. The paper used will be of better quality. The pro photographer will also have a colour-calibrated monitor so he/she knows what the prints will look like before they are printed- Guest shots can sometimes make your skin or dress look.. well, a bit odd. Lastly, as mentioned above, professional album companies design their products to last a lifetime; cheaper options may well fall apart after repeated viewings..
7) Your friendly professional may be flexible when it comes to paying for your photography and album. This could help spread the cost over several months, so it is always worth asking if they offer this option. Of course they will have bills to pay as well, but it never hurts to ask! You may also find that the photographer can be flexible when it comes to your package- sometimes things can be removed or added to create more value. If you ask nicely enough and you're very lucky you may receive a small discount too, but do remember that even in a recession materials and albums rarely decrease in price. The photographer also has a business to run and has overheads such as studio rent, electricity and food to cover before profit is even considered!
So there you have it, several reasons to 'go with the pro'. I hope this short article helps persuade you that there are some things in life which it really is better to 'splash out' on - Please let me know your own thoughts!
Mark
[contact-form 1 "Contact form 1"]
1) The old cliche..but it's true! Other than your rings, dress and possibly a video, your wedding photos will be the only thing that you have to keep long after the big day. The cake, hangovers and maybe even the gifts will be gone, but a quality wedding album can last generations.
2) A professional can be trusted to turn up, and should have a contract to that effect. A friend is also trustworthy, but nothing short of the very worst should prevent a pro from being there. If they don't turn up, they will often have a network of experienced contacts who can fulfill the contract for them. The level of service you receive from a pro will also be better- you will usually have an initial consultation and at least one pre-wedding meeting, and the photographer may visit the venue beforehand if it is one they are unfamiliar with, in order to check out good locations. Having said this not all pros will meet you- with trusted 'big names' or if you are in a different geographical location, the entire process may be completed by phone or online.
3) If the worst does happen and the photographer or backup cannot make the date, he/she should be insured (professional indemnity insurance) so you can at least claim compensation. If somebody happens to injure themselves falling over equipment, a good pro will also be covered by liability insurance.
4) A pro will always have backup equipment- not just one but sometimes two or more backup cameras, flashes and lenses as well as a plentiful supply of film or memory cards. If your designated friend/relative's camera suddenly breaks, all you may end up with is a collection of snapshots from other guests with poor lighting and composition.
5) Experience counts. A well-meaning relative or friend may have a shiny new camera or even one they've had for a while, but can they react to any situation (What if the sun goes in? What if it's really bright? He used a flash so why are they all dark? Mum's skin isn't that shade of orange surely?) or know how to get the look you want in your wedding images? With a pro you are guaranteed consistent and better results than Mum or Uncle Fred can give (unless of course, they're also a pro!).
6) Cutting back on the prints and album by getting them developed at the local 'QuickSnaps' may seem like a good idea at the time, but professional photographic prints from a dedicated lab will last and last. They may have special coatings for water resistance and to prevent fading, which mass-market labs may not use. The paper used will be of better quality. The pro photographer will also have a colour-calibrated monitor so he/she knows what the prints will look like before they are printed- Guest shots can sometimes make your skin or dress look.. well, a bit odd. Lastly, as mentioned above, professional album companies design their products to last a lifetime; cheaper options may well fall apart after repeated viewings..
7) Your friendly professional may be flexible when it comes to paying for your photography and album. This could help spread the cost over several months, so it is always worth asking if they offer this option. Of course they will have bills to pay as well, but it never hurts to ask! You may also find that the photographer can be flexible when it comes to your package- sometimes things can be removed or added to create more value. If you ask nicely enough and you're very lucky you may receive a small discount too, but do remember that even in a recession materials and albums rarely decrease in price. The photographer also has a business to run and has overheads such as studio rent, electricity and food to cover before profit is even considered!
So there you have it, several reasons to 'go with the pro'. I hope this short article helps persuade you that there are some things in life which it really is better to 'splash out' on - Please let me know your own thoughts!
Mark
[contact-form 1 "Contact form 1"]
Reader Comments (3)
[...] http://www.amberglowphotography.com/blog/?p=242 [...]
Some excellent advice there, I have set up a link to this from our site. Kind regards.
[...] 7 Reasons why you should go with a Pro [...]