Wedding Photography

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of hiring a professional?

A professional photographer will be timely--arriving at your wedding promptly, and getting the results to you on time.
A professional has the right equipment for photographing your wedding and can work with you to accomodate any setting.
Having attended many weddings, a professional photographer will be at ease at your wedding and will, therefore, not "be in the way".
A professional photographer uses a color laboratory that is in the business of meeting high professional standards of print quality.
Finally, a professional photographer is used to working with individuals, couples, and groups to make the formal photography go smoothly.

When you think about the cost of photography remember that the photographer's fee is only part of your investment. You, your parents, your extended family and your friends will be investing time with the photographer during your wedding. Don't waste time on your wedding day with a photographer who won't produce results you will love for years to come!

So, I want a professional to photograph my wedding. What do I do next?

Visit wedding photography web sites and attend Bridal Shows, then choose photographers to call. E-mailing is not personal enough for wedding photography.
If you like the photographer on the phone, go visit his/her studio or arrange a meeting in a public place.
When looking through sample albums pay attention to your emotional response to the photography and the communications skills of the photographer. Look for high technical quality, too.

Once you have decided on a photographer whose work has meaning to you, discuss prices, deposits, packages, quantities of pictures and so on.

What is the first question I should ask the photographer?

Once you have established that the photographer is available for your date and location, you will want to ask, "If we select your studio, will you be the photographer covering our wedding?"
Some studios have several photographers and you may be speaking to a salesperson.
The sample albums you may look at from larger photography studios may have been done by photographers who do not even work for the studio anymore. If this is the case, you should make arrangements to meet with and see the work of the particular photographer who will be doing your wedding.
Ask for a commitment from the studio to that effect, in writing.

Shouldn't I be asking "What do I get and how much does it cost?"

Even shopping for shoes or furniture you wouldn't ask that question until you find the style and quality you like. After you look through a photographer's portfolio--seeing candids, formals and illustrative pictures, you will know if this photographer has the technique, style and spirit to be the eyes through which you and your family will see your wedding day.
Of course you should determine if the photographer is within your budget, give or take a little, but what you really want from photography is memories and feeling.
Look for an established and reliable photographer whose work moves you. If you find a photographer who makes you happy, you will never regret your investment, whatever the dollar cost. When we have invested in items that will be with us for the rest of our lives, our satisfaction has been highest when we have paid that extra bit for the best quality and service.

So, how much does wedding photography cost?

Prices can range from $350 to $10,000 and even more! Photographs (and maybe video) will be your only permanent record of the day. You want good photographs (or you would not have read so far), so be prepared to spend between 9-15% of your wedding budget on photography.
Most couples initially underestimate the cost of photography by 50%. In other words, you will probably spend at least twice as much as you budgeted, unless you have advice from a wedding coordinator who is familiar with prices in your area.

Why is wedding photography so expensive?

Because photography is not a commodity.
Because some people can see the difference between poor photography and good photography, and they are willing to pay for it.
Because to make a living at photography, the artist must gross a certain amount per wedding.
Because a professional photographer knows what his/her expenses and overhead, even with digital photography, even with the smallest package, are for each wedding and must charge accordingly.

We're having a small wedding, only 30 people, and just don't have it in our budget for a professional photographer. What can we do?

The first thing to do if you want a professional photographer under these circumstances is to be flexible. A true wedding professional can only work so many weekends a year and reasonably expects one or two large weddings per weekend from May through October. If he/she reserves a prime Saturday or Sunday in October for your smaller wedding, then larger weddings will have to be turned away.
If your budget is small, try to plan your wedding around a weekday evening or early in the day on Saturday or Sunday. This way you might find a photographer who can fit you in after or before another event ,and thus be able to work with your budget.

How much time will the photographer spend at my wedding?

That is really up to you. You can have the photographer meet you where you are getting dressed and keept taking pictures until you leave the reception. Or, you may just want a few hours of photography with a few formal photographs and some pictures of the ceremony.
ZackShack Photography's typical coverage starts two hours before the ceremony and ends when the couple leaves the reception.

What about getting an album?

Some photographers offer "packages". Each package could have a set number of hours, images taken and certain number of final pictures in an album. It might be better to get a package that includes an album that the photographer will assemble completely, because most of us never get around to putting our pictures in albums if we have to do it ourselves.
Consider ordering parents' albums, too. If your parents vision is less than perfect, they would really appreciate getting an album so they can see, up close and personal, how beautiful your day was!

Who chooses the pictures that go in the album?

After looking at all the proof images, the bride and groom usually decide what goes in the album. The photographer should let you specify the sequence of the pictures so the album really shows the wedding the way you want to see it.
You will probably let your parents decide what pictures go in their album.
You can also benefit from the photographer's eye and feel for the wedding by telling him/her what proofs you want and allow them to put your album together.

Do I want film or digital capture?

Each photographer will say that his or her way is best. Look at the images. If you like 'em, that's the way to go.

What else should I look out for when I am looking at a photographer's samples?

It is important that when looking at a photographer's sample album you see one wedding from start to finish, not just a collection of highlights from a dozen different weddings.
If a photographer assembles and shows the best photos from several weddings in one album, you are not seeing an accurate presentation of the results you might expect from your wedding.
It is reasonable for you to expect the same quality work at your wedding that the photographer shows you when you first meet, especially if the sample images match the setting and time of day of your wedding.

What can I do to keep the photographer from running my wedding day?

It is essential that you talk with your photographer in that last week before your wedding.
Go over your time-line for your wedding day.
Find out how long the photographs you have requested are going to take. If it is too long, cut out some of the required pictures. You could also tell your photographer the way you have scheduled the day and that he/she is to follow your schedule.

Suppose I want more copies in two years?

Get the high-resolution digital files--which will either be included or available for an extra fee. Since currently no electronic medium will last a lifetime, you will need to update the media on which you store your images.
We have found that it takes a professional color lab to produce great color prints from digital files, so owning the files does not guarantee that you are going to get the best wedding images at the best price. However, if you own the images you can use them on a website, e-mail them, and make acceptable prints.

Some photographers ask that no one else take pictures during the formal photography. Is that reasonable?

Yes. If the photographer is trying to work quickly through a series of formal pictures, a snap-shooter might slow the process. A problem arises when there are several cameras aimed at a formal group--the subjects will be looking at different lenses. The diverted attention will ruin the professional's picture.
If the photographer is using a light-sensing trigger device ("slave") on a second flash, other flashes will trigger this flash and ruin the pictures (that you are paying for) and wasting battery power.
On the other hand, many guests find snapping a few pictures a pleasant part of attending weddings, so it should not be a big deal for your professional to be relaxed and let people snap away when formals are over.
Ideally, guests should show respect for the bridal party and photographer and put down their cameras during the formal photos.

I want to make copies of my photos. Does my photographer really own the copyright of his/her pictures? Do I still have to pay the photographer if I make the copies myself at a copy shop?

Yes and yes. According to federal law, images produced by a professional photographer are copyrighted the moment they are created.
Federal law prohibits copying or reproducing copyrighted material without permission from the owner of the copyright, i.e., the photographer.
If you copy or scan your photos, the photographer should be paid just as if you were buying reprints.
If you or your videographer transfer the proofs to videotape, the photographer should be paid just as if you were buying prints.
If you don't feel comfortable paying for these copies, find a photographer whose work is so good that you are glad to pay.