Chicago Wedding Photographers give the Ultimate Chicago Wedding Photography Advice
by By Chicks that Click Photographic Works
The bottom line is that everyone wants great photographs from their wedding, but finding a good photographer can be a challenging task. There are hundreds of photographers in the Chicagoland area alone, so how do you pick the right one for you? Here are a few tips to get your started.
Word-of-Mouth
Ask your recently married friends, family members and colleagues about the photographer they hired to shoot their wedding. Did they like the photographer or was s/he a drill sergeant toward their family and friends? Did s/he show up on time and in the proper attire? Was the photographer able to shoot their wedding without getting in the way and becoming obtrusive? And, most importantly, did they really like their wedding photos? Personal recommendations are a great way to get a good photographer because it gives you an idea of the photographer’s style ahead of time.
Print and Online Advertising
Wedding magazines are bursting with ads from photographers looking for your business. As you look through the magazines, find the ads that really stick out for you. Does the ad look stylish and professional? Do you like the photos in the ads?
There are also a number of wedding websites dedicated to brides in the Chicagoland area. Check out the photographers in the local directory of the site. If you like their photos and their company description, click on their website link. Do you like the feel of their website? Are the shots in their online portfolio artistic and spontaneous?
Personal Meeting
Whenever possible, meet the photographers in person. We would recommend that you visit at least four photographers to get a feel for their style and personality. Feel free to ask them about a referral list of brides for you to contact about their work. If you find that you are not comfortable with them during your initial meeting, then chances are that you will not feel comfortable with them on your wedding day.
Also, make sure you are meeting the person who will actually shoot your wedding. Some large studios hook couples with photography samples from their lead photographer, and then send out a less-than-stellar photographer to shoot your wedding. It’s the old bait and switch tactic. It’s a good idea to get the name of your photographer in writing, if at all possible.
Price
This is usually a big factor when hiring a photographer. The rates for wedding photographers in our area range from $1,000.00 - $7,000.00, depending on the hours of coverage and the number of photographers for your wedding. When you hire a photographer, it’s a good idea to consider their experience, talent and their reputation. Good wedding photographers are able to get amazing shots in very stressful situations. This ability is often factored into their prices.
Your initial low price becomes much more than you anticipated.
When looking at their packages, don’t be fooled by an initial low price. Many photographers make their money off “hidden fees”, so ask if you have to purchase a certain dollar amount of reprints. Also, ask if you get to keep all of the proofs and the negatives or digital files. Some photographers make you pay for those, so your initial low price becomes much more than you anticipated.
Remember, it is YOUR day. There are many ways to get a great photographer for your wedding. You should be able to find a professional photographer who will take great shots without becoming a nuisance to you or your guests.
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