For Beth, who posted on facebook looking for Photographer advice...
Beth posted:
two things:
1. yay or nay to wedding video
2. important questions to ask a pro wedding photographer.. go
In my personal opinion... Amateur Wedding Video if any. If you want the moment captured, so you can watch it on your anniversary and show your kids in twenty years, then have a video camera or two around. But don't pay a bunch of money for the effects and transitions. Those things will invariably look super cheesy in twenty years anyhow. Video is to document the moments, if you have a capable friend or family member with a good camera, ask them if they'll help out. Keep them in the loop as far as the itinerary goes, and let them know what you want them to shoot and what you don't want them to shoot. If you really just want video of your first dance and the speeches and stuff, then tell them you're not looking for creativity. That way, you don't have a video camera in your face all night because your friend/volunteer got drunk and decided to try some hilarious "Wedding Video" ideas out. If you're concerned about quality, consider renting a better video camera. Mostly though, save money here to hire a better photographer, that where you'll get the most use. You may watch the video every few years, but your Wedding photos will live on your walls forever!
Photographer:
First off, look at a ton of Wedding Photo's.
Find them wherever you can, I recommend looking at a ton of photographers websites and facebook stalking every friend you have who just got married. Bookmark or collect the pictures you like best. Get a clear idea of what kind of photographer you would like...
Do you want "cool-artsy- technical?" Somebody that can and will change the colors of your pictures and edit them with photoshop to make them look "awesome"? (that's in quotes because awesome is a very subjective word. I don't mean to sound sarcastic.) Because there are some amazing photographers that do that, but most don't. I know a guy that can take a good picture of you outside, but then change the color of the sky, change the formation of the clouds in the sky, remove the phone lines and junk... by the time you see the photo, it looks like a magazine cover and you won't even understand how he did it. It's cool.
Do you prefer "Organic Artsy"? A photographer they may not use software to change the realities of the picture, but who has a very artistic eye for angles and locations and focus... This is probably the most popular style right now, it's what I used and love most. I knew that I don't like having my picture taken, and I certainly don't like posing like it's 5th grade picture day (chin up just a little, tilt your head to the right...) So I made sure to hire a photographer who shot great candid photos.
Or do you really just want a traditional photographer? Somebody who will line up your family and guests and painstakingly work them into camera presentable poses... (chin up, head to the right just a little bit)..
Then... once you know your style, website stalk every photographer within $300 (plus or minus) of your budget...
Speaking of budget...
It's the dreaded 'B" word of Weddings. But every Wedding is ruled by one.
If you haven't locked down a budget yet, then you may want to consider this important fact: The national websites don't reflect Chicago pricing. If you see a post on Knot.com from a girl in Nebraska who hired a $400 photographer and loved him, don't get your hopes up. The good professional photographers in Chicago tent to book up pretty fast, so they raise their rates. Especially if your Wedding is in "Wedding Season" which is basically April through September. Most people in the area have no idea how much a good photographer costs. I will say this, it is not, and should not be uncommon for the Photographer to claim the single biggest check you write for your Wedding. My photographer cost more than my location or my catering (booze was separate), and I don't regret it one bit. I absolutely love my Wedding pictures and wouldn't have wanted it any other way. It was money well spent because I don't remember what my food tasted like, but I still get to look at my great photos whenever I want.
So, decide what the budget is for your photography, and then make a list of all the photographers you like that are within a few hundred dollars either way. The reason for this is simple, if you find somebody you love who's a little cheaper than you expected, you may have found a steal and saved yourself valuable room in the almighty budget! But if you find somebody a few hundred dollars more, and you absolutely love them, then first of all, it never hurts to ask for a deal, and second of all, after meeting them, you may just decide that they are worth it and do your best to come up with the extra funds. My Photographer Budget more than doubled once I realized how much I liked a few of the photogs that were originally out of my price range.
Contact all the photographers on your list!
Either by email or by phone, contact your photographers. I recommend a little of both, as they both have their advantages. First off, I recommend emailing them to ask if they are available for your date, and, if their website isn't clear and specific, get all the details on their wedding packages. Email is great because the information is clear and in writing. If you forget the specifics, it's easy to pull up an email and remind yourself. Also, if you're quoted a price in email, and then later, are quoted a higher price, it's easy to use that email to lock in the lower price.
Once you have all those details, I recommend calling the photogs to set up meetings. A phone call will give you a better sense for their personality, which is vitally important. You should probably meet with your favorite 3-5 photographers, more if you are having a hard time narrowing it down, but I would recommend at least three.
Things to look for in a photographers package:
Photographers can very greatly in terms of what they will and will not include in their base package price. And then they almost all offer additional incentives... In my mind, and from my experience, some things are more valuable than most people realize, and some are overrated.
But first and foremost is this, don't hire any photographer that want to sell you the pictures they take of YOUR wedding. Ridiculous. You shouldn't have to hire them to take the pictures, and then also buy the pictures. After your wedding, your photographer will need some time to edit and crop your pics, and then they should give you DVD disks or a usb hard drive with all of your photos on it.
My #1 overrated Photographer add on is Wedding Albums!
They cost so damn much! And all your photographer is doing is going to his favorite Wedding Album website, uploading your pics, laying it out in a way that looks good to him, and then charging you a ton. You could do all of those things! And, there is no guarantees that your photographer will even be good at it! You will probably want the focus of your Wedding album to be on not only great pictures, but on pictures of the people most important to you, and other than your bridal party, your photographer won't know who those people are! So if your cousin brings a date to your wedding that you don't know, she could end up in an 8x10" photo on the 3rd page of your $900 Wedding Album! Save this money for now. You can always have an album made later. Better to use the money on hiring a photographer you love. Honestly, we never got around to making a "professional" album of my wedding pictures. My wife put together a really nice scrapbook that works great and probably cost $30. But, because we spent the extra money getting a photographer we loved, the pictures are on my walls, on my smartphone, on my pc, on my facebook profile... Instead of just on my bookshelf in a book I hardly ever look at.
My #1 Underrated Photographer Add On is the Engagement Session!
First of all, most people don't spend a lot of time with a professional photographer taking pictures of them, and focusing on making them look they're best! Especially if you're like me and tend to hate most pictures of you that your friends take with they're phones in low lighting at a bar (Fog...) it's great to have a handful of professional pictures of you that you can hang on the wall and not be embarrassed by.
Second of all, the engagement session is where you and your photographer can really get creative... choose interesting locations and outfits, go back to where you had your first date... whatever! Bring multiple outfits and change a few times. Be silly, we brought our matching Cubs jerseys to ours ;-)
Third, and maybe most important, the engagement session is when you really get comfortable with how your photographer works. It's like a Photography rehearsal for your Wedding and it's your chance to get comfortable with each other. The reality of it is this, the photographer you met with at his office, or starbucks or whatever was a salesmen. Now, as soon as they have they're camera in hand and are shooting pics of you, they are an artist. It's best if you are comfortable and happy with them in both roles.
I also think it's important to have a photographer there for as much of the day as possible. Some of my favorite pictures from my Wedding are of us getting ready in the morning, and then of everybody loaded and dancing like crazy at the end. I have a photo of me and my little sister that was taken right before I jumped in the limo and sped away that is precious to me. Also, my absolute favorite picture of me and my wife ever was taken as we danced to our last song. It's a long day for the photographer, but that's why they make the big bucks that day. Some photographers will work in teams and split shifts, that's fine too.
Also, from the perspective of a professional DJ, there are a handful of times every season where I work with a photog who is leaving early, usually around 9 or10 or so. Often, it's only about a half hour after the first dance. It can be really tricky to try to squeeze in all the "moments' Instead of a DJ just doing his job the way it works best, I find myself rushing from one thing to the next, it sucks to have a big dance floor rocking and then have to cater towards a photographers needs... IE: Cupid Shuffle, then slow song, then garter/bouquet toss, then generation dance...
A good DJ is better off using those moments deliberately to keep the reception interactive and fun and ever changing. A good DJ will want to be able to mix them in throughout the night instead of just firing them off one after another.
As far as what to ask the Photographer...
In advance of the Wedding, ask them to see at least one "complete Wedding" that they've shot. Obviously, they have their "greatest hits" on their Website, but you should be more interested in whether or not you like most of their pictures then if you really like some of their pictures. If 2% of their work is amazing, but 98% percent is terrible, they are not the Photographer for you. Looking a complete Wedding, from first shot to last, will give you an idea of there comprehensive style.
Ask if they've ever shot at your location before. If they have, ask them to bring examples of their work there. This should be a no-brainer. A great photographer can still be great at a new location, but it's an obvious advantage to any professional to be familiar with their surroundings.
Ask how long they will need to edit the photos. As soon as your big day is over, and you collect your breath, you'll want to see the photos. The wait to have them edited can be excruciating, but it is often well worth it. A photographer that turns your pictures around very quickly is probably not spending enough time on them, the cropping and sharpening and color tinting and whatever else those magicians do should take some time... but, with that said, you don't want it to turn into a 5 month long wait just because you never thought to ask them how long it would be. Get a date that they think they will have it edited in writing. That way, you know what to expect. Also, a professional that has committed to a deadline is more likely to keep it. Ask them about their process and what you should expect.
Ask about they're experience! Again, a no-brainer. But ask more than just how long they've been taking pictures. Ask how they got into photography, and then ask how they got into Wedding photography. Ask how many Weddings per year they typically shoot. Ask what locations they work the most... All of this information can be telling. If they just graduated from Photography college, but are just starting to shoot Weddings, then you need to know about it. Trust me, taking Wedding pictures is very different from taking photo's at a birthday party or graduation or anything else. There is a lot that goes on at Weddings that most people never notice or expect. It is a Wedding Professionals job to know about these things, and know how they're handled. A Photographer has to work hand in hand with the DJ, the location, and the caterer. The can take great pictures, but screw up your whole reception if they don't have much Wedding experience. If you find a Photographer who's work you love, but that doesn't have much experience, then fine, but you shouldn't have to pay top dollar then.
Ask how they will dress on your big day... Photographers often wear all black, and that's usually fine. But I personally find it disrespectful when I see a photographer show up in casual or unprofessional attire at a Wedding... And I do see it, I've seen Jeans, Cargo Shorts, you name it... It's worth asking.
OTHER THINGS THAT CAN HELP YOU GET GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY
Show your photographer examples of Wedding pictures that you like. Try to find a variety of different types of photos, IE: some ceremony pics, some outdoor pics, some bridal party pics... The photographers job will be easier if they know what you are expecting from them.
When you begin your search, ask somebody from your location which photographers are there a lot. You may find a great photographer who is also very familiar with your spot. But, even if you don't book one of those, check their websites for examples of pictures you love from your location, and save them. Pass them on to the photographer you use for creative inspiration. Even if he/she has worked that spot before, they may benefit from seeing another photographers creative work and ideas.
Lastly, I recommend avoiding major Regional or National Photography Companies. I won't write as much about this as I can, because there has already been a lot of great articles written about the same topic. But those beliefs have been strongly supported by my experience, so I'll mention a few things about it.
1)Usually people are drawn to national companies by low prices, sleek websites, good photos, and a promise of professionalism. But all of these things can be extremely misleading.
If you are paying a low price, and a good chunk of it is going to a Big Company, then that means your Photog isn't working for much. The company will tell you that it is because the Photog is happy to be working so much so he's willing to make less, but ask yourself this. If you were a good photographer, wouldn't you rather work less, and make more each time, then work more, and make less each time....?
Sleek Websites have nothing to do with Photography. And, your photographer almost certainly had nothing to do with it's design. You should never book a professional with a terrible website, because it shows that they didn't care enough to have a better one made... but don't let a good design sway you too far either.
Good Photos It's common sense to judge photographers by there photo's, but just know that a big company has an awful lot of photo's to pick from when they put the pictures up on line. Again, you'd rather not have a photographer who shoots 98% junk and 2% greatness.
Promise of Professionalism Just because the Big Company shoots a ton of Weddings doesn't mean that all their photographers are experienced and professional. Every season they hire new photographers who often don't have much Wedding experience. So, especially if you got a great deal, you may have just hired "the new guy". Just last night I DJ'd a Wedding with two photographers, one who seemed to have a clear idea of what she was doing, and then a second. A newer guy that the company had hired recently. I literally had no idea where he was for most of the reception.
Also, if they've been with the big company for a while, and they work a lot of Weddings, I assure you, nothing about your Wedding will be special to them. If you shoot 175 Weddings every year, then it becomes really hard to put your heart into every one. It becomes human nature for most people in the situation to work just hard enough to not get fired or released. Let's face it, if they were good & ambitious, they probably wouldn't be working for a major chain, they would have their own lucrative small business.
Anyway, Beth, Congrats if you read all of this. Sorry I got so carried away. I find the Wedding industry to be very interesting and unlike almost any other industry. They're are a lot of ways that people can go wrong if they aren't careful, so I like to pass whatever knowledge I've come across in my experience. I started typing and my fingers just didn't stop for a while. Sorry about all the typo's Im sure I left, it's about 3:30am and I'm sleepy.
Let me know if you have anymore questions! And obviously, let me know if you haven't hired a DJ yet!
DJ's help make the moments, and Photographers capture the moment! They are both so vital!
-Jesse Lynn
www.KidronMusicWeddings.com
847-738-3634
two things:
1. yay or nay to wedding video
2. important questions to ask a pro wedding photographer.. go
In my personal opinion... Amateur Wedding Video if any. If you want the moment captured, so you can watch it on your anniversary and show your kids in twenty years, then have a video camera or two around. But don't pay a bunch of money for the effects and transitions. Those things will invariably look super cheesy in twenty years anyhow. Video is to document the moments, if you have a capable friend or family member with a good camera, ask them if they'll help out. Keep them in the loop as far as the itinerary goes, and let them know what you want them to shoot and what you don't want them to shoot. If you really just want video of your first dance and the speeches and stuff, then tell them you're not looking for creativity. That way, you don't have a video camera in your face all night because your friend/volunteer got drunk and decided to try some hilarious "Wedding Video" ideas out. If you're concerned about quality, consider renting a better video camera. Mostly though, save money here to hire a better photographer, that where you'll get the most use. You may watch the video every few years, but your Wedding photos will live on your walls forever!
Photographer:
First off, look at a ton of Wedding Photo's.
Find them wherever you can, I recommend looking at a ton of photographers websites and facebook stalking every friend you have who just got married. Bookmark or collect the pictures you like best. Get a clear idea of what kind of photographer you would like...
Do you want "cool-artsy- technical?" Somebody that can and will change the colors of your pictures and edit them with photoshop to make them look "awesome"? (that's in quotes because awesome is a very subjective word. I don't mean to sound sarcastic.) Because there are some amazing photographers that do that, but most don't. I know a guy that can take a good picture of you outside, but then change the color of the sky, change the formation of the clouds in the sky, remove the phone lines and junk... by the time you see the photo, it looks like a magazine cover and you won't even understand how he did it. It's cool.
Do you prefer "Organic Artsy"? A photographer they may not use software to change the realities of the picture, but who has a very artistic eye for angles and locations and focus... This is probably the most popular style right now, it's what I used and love most. I knew that I don't like having my picture taken, and I certainly don't like posing like it's 5th grade picture day (chin up just a little, tilt your head to the right...) So I made sure to hire a photographer who shot great candid photos.
Or do you really just want a traditional photographer? Somebody who will line up your family and guests and painstakingly work them into camera presentable poses... (chin up, head to the right just a little bit)..
Then... once you know your style, website stalk every photographer within $300 (plus or minus) of your budget...
Speaking of budget...
It's the dreaded 'B" word of Weddings. But every Wedding is ruled by one.
If you haven't locked down a budget yet, then you may want to consider this important fact: The national websites don't reflect Chicago pricing. If you see a post on Knot.com from a girl in Nebraska who hired a $400 photographer and loved him, don't get your hopes up. The good professional photographers in Chicago tent to book up pretty fast, so they raise their rates. Especially if your Wedding is in "Wedding Season" which is basically April through September. Most people in the area have no idea how much a good photographer costs. I will say this, it is not, and should not be uncommon for the Photographer to claim the single biggest check you write for your Wedding. My photographer cost more than my location or my catering (booze was separate), and I don't regret it one bit. I absolutely love my Wedding pictures and wouldn't have wanted it any other way. It was money well spent because I don't remember what my food tasted like, but I still get to look at my great photos whenever I want.
So, decide what the budget is for your photography, and then make a list of all the photographers you like that are within a few hundred dollars either way. The reason for this is simple, if you find somebody you love who's a little cheaper than you expected, you may have found a steal and saved yourself valuable room in the almighty budget! But if you find somebody a few hundred dollars more, and you absolutely love them, then first of all, it never hurts to ask for a deal, and second of all, after meeting them, you may just decide that they are worth it and do your best to come up with the extra funds. My Photographer Budget more than doubled once I realized how much I liked a few of the photogs that were originally out of my price range.
Contact all the photographers on your list!
Either by email or by phone, contact your photographers. I recommend a little of both, as they both have their advantages. First off, I recommend emailing them to ask if they are available for your date, and, if their website isn't clear and specific, get all the details on their wedding packages. Email is great because the information is clear and in writing. If you forget the specifics, it's easy to pull up an email and remind yourself. Also, if you're quoted a price in email, and then later, are quoted a higher price, it's easy to use that email to lock in the lower price.
Once you have all those details, I recommend calling the photogs to set up meetings. A phone call will give you a better sense for their personality, which is vitally important. You should probably meet with your favorite 3-5 photographers, more if you are having a hard time narrowing it down, but I would recommend at least three.
Things to look for in a photographers package:
Photographers can very greatly in terms of what they will and will not include in their base package price. And then they almost all offer additional incentives... In my mind, and from my experience, some things are more valuable than most people realize, and some are overrated.
But first and foremost is this, don't hire any photographer that want to sell you the pictures they take of YOUR wedding. Ridiculous. You shouldn't have to hire them to take the pictures, and then also buy the pictures. After your wedding, your photographer will need some time to edit and crop your pics, and then they should give you DVD disks or a usb hard drive with all of your photos on it.
My #1 overrated Photographer add on is Wedding Albums!
They cost so damn much! And all your photographer is doing is going to his favorite Wedding Album website, uploading your pics, laying it out in a way that looks good to him, and then charging you a ton. You could do all of those things! And, there is no guarantees that your photographer will even be good at it! You will probably want the focus of your Wedding album to be on not only great pictures, but on pictures of the people most important to you, and other than your bridal party, your photographer won't know who those people are! So if your cousin brings a date to your wedding that you don't know, she could end up in an 8x10" photo on the 3rd page of your $900 Wedding Album! Save this money for now. You can always have an album made later. Better to use the money on hiring a photographer you love. Honestly, we never got around to making a "professional" album of my wedding pictures. My wife put together a really nice scrapbook that works great and probably cost $30. But, because we spent the extra money getting a photographer we loved, the pictures are on my walls, on my smartphone, on my pc, on my facebook profile... Instead of just on my bookshelf in a book I hardly ever look at.
My #1 Underrated Photographer Add On is the Engagement Session!
First of all, most people don't spend a lot of time with a professional photographer taking pictures of them, and focusing on making them look they're best! Especially if you're like me and tend to hate most pictures of you that your friends take with they're phones in low lighting at a bar (Fog...) it's great to have a handful of professional pictures of you that you can hang on the wall and not be embarrassed by.
Second of all, the engagement session is where you and your photographer can really get creative... choose interesting locations and outfits, go back to where you had your first date... whatever! Bring multiple outfits and change a few times. Be silly, we brought our matching Cubs jerseys to ours ;-)
Third, and maybe most important, the engagement session is when you really get comfortable with how your photographer works. It's like a Photography rehearsal for your Wedding and it's your chance to get comfortable with each other. The reality of it is this, the photographer you met with at his office, or starbucks or whatever was a salesmen. Now, as soon as they have they're camera in hand and are shooting pics of you, they are an artist. It's best if you are comfortable and happy with them in both roles.
I also think it's important to have a photographer there for as much of the day as possible. Some of my favorite pictures from my Wedding are of us getting ready in the morning, and then of everybody loaded and dancing like crazy at the end. I have a photo of me and my little sister that was taken right before I jumped in the limo and sped away that is precious to me. Also, my absolute favorite picture of me and my wife ever was taken as we danced to our last song. It's a long day for the photographer, but that's why they make the big bucks that day. Some photographers will work in teams and split shifts, that's fine too.
Also, from the perspective of a professional DJ, there are a handful of times every season where I work with a photog who is leaving early, usually around 9 or10 or so. Often, it's only about a half hour after the first dance. It can be really tricky to try to squeeze in all the "moments' Instead of a DJ just doing his job the way it works best, I find myself rushing from one thing to the next, it sucks to have a big dance floor rocking and then have to cater towards a photographers needs... IE: Cupid Shuffle, then slow song, then garter/bouquet toss, then generation dance...
A good DJ is better off using those moments deliberately to keep the reception interactive and fun and ever changing. A good DJ will want to be able to mix them in throughout the night instead of just firing them off one after another.
As far as what to ask the Photographer...
In advance of the Wedding, ask them to see at least one "complete Wedding" that they've shot. Obviously, they have their "greatest hits" on their Website, but you should be more interested in whether or not you like most of their pictures then if you really like some of their pictures. If 2% of their work is amazing, but 98% percent is terrible, they are not the Photographer for you. Looking a complete Wedding, from first shot to last, will give you an idea of there comprehensive style.
Ask if they've ever shot at your location before. If they have, ask them to bring examples of their work there. This should be a no-brainer. A great photographer can still be great at a new location, but it's an obvious advantage to any professional to be familiar with their surroundings.
Ask how long they will need to edit the photos. As soon as your big day is over, and you collect your breath, you'll want to see the photos. The wait to have them edited can be excruciating, but it is often well worth it. A photographer that turns your pictures around very quickly is probably not spending enough time on them, the cropping and sharpening and color tinting and whatever else those magicians do should take some time... but, with that said, you don't want it to turn into a 5 month long wait just because you never thought to ask them how long it would be. Get a date that they think they will have it edited in writing. That way, you know what to expect. Also, a professional that has committed to a deadline is more likely to keep it. Ask them about their process and what you should expect.
Ask about they're experience! Again, a no-brainer. But ask more than just how long they've been taking pictures. Ask how they got into photography, and then ask how they got into Wedding photography. Ask how many Weddings per year they typically shoot. Ask what locations they work the most... All of this information can be telling. If they just graduated from Photography college, but are just starting to shoot Weddings, then you need to know about it. Trust me, taking Wedding pictures is very different from taking photo's at a birthday party or graduation or anything else. There is a lot that goes on at Weddings that most people never notice or expect. It is a Wedding Professionals job to know about these things, and know how they're handled. A Photographer has to work hand in hand with the DJ, the location, and the caterer. The can take great pictures, but screw up your whole reception if they don't have much Wedding experience. If you find a Photographer who's work you love, but that doesn't have much experience, then fine, but you shouldn't have to pay top dollar then.
Ask how they will dress on your big day... Photographers often wear all black, and that's usually fine. But I personally find it disrespectful when I see a photographer show up in casual or unprofessional attire at a Wedding... And I do see it, I've seen Jeans, Cargo Shorts, you name it... It's worth asking.
OTHER THINGS THAT CAN HELP YOU GET GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY
Show your photographer examples of Wedding pictures that you like. Try to find a variety of different types of photos, IE: some ceremony pics, some outdoor pics, some bridal party pics... The photographers job will be easier if they know what you are expecting from them.
When you begin your search, ask somebody from your location which photographers are there a lot. You may find a great photographer who is also very familiar with your spot. But, even if you don't book one of those, check their websites for examples of pictures you love from your location, and save them. Pass them on to the photographer you use for creative inspiration. Even if he/she has worked that spot before, they may benefit from seeing another photographers creative work and ideas.
Lastly, I recommend avoiding major Regional or National Photography Companies. I won't write as much about this as I can, because there has already been a lot of great articles written about the same topic. But those beliefs have been strongly supported by my experience, so I'll mention a few things about it.
1)Usually people are drawn to national companies by low prices, sleek websites, good photos, and a promise of professionalism. But all of these things can be extremely misleading.
If you are paying a low price, and a good chunk of it is going to a Big Company, then that means your Photog isn't working for much. The company will tell you that it is because the Photog is happy to be working so much so he's willing to make less, but ask yourself this. If you were a good photographer, wouldn't you rather work less, and make more each time, then work more, and make less each time....?
Sleek Websites have nothing to do with Photography. And, your photographer almost certainly had nothing to do with it's design. You should never book a professional with a terrible website, because it shows that they didn't care enough to have a better one made... but don't let a good design sway you too far either.
Good Photos It's common sense to judge photographers by there photo's, but just know that a big company has an awful lot of photo's to pick from when they put the pictures up on line. Again, you'd rather not have a photographer who shoots 98% junk and 2% greatness.
Promise of Professionalism Just because the Big Company shoots a ton of Weddings doesn't mean that all their photographers are experienced and professional. Every season they hire new photographers who often don't have much Wedding experience. So, especially if you got a great deal, you may have just hired "the new guy". Just last night I DJ'd a Wedding with two photographers, one who seemed to have a clear idea of what she was doing, and then a second. A newer guy that the company had hired recently. I literally had no idea where he was for most of the reception.
Also, if they've been with the big company for a while, and they work a lot of Weddings, I assure you, nothing about your Wedding will be special to them. If you shoot 175 Weddings every year, then it becomes really hard to put your heart into every one. It becomes human nature for most people in the situation to work just hard enough to not get fired or released. Let's face it, if they were good & ambitious, they probably wouldn't be working for a major chain, they would have their own lucrative small business.
Anyway, Beth, Congrats if you read all of this. Sorry I got so carried away. I find the Wedding industry to be very interesting and unlike almost any other industry. They're are a lot of ways that people can go wrong if they aren't careful, so I like to pass whatever knowledge I've come across in my experience. I started typing and my fingers just didn't stop for a while. Sorry about all the typo's Im sure I left, it's about 3:30am and I'm sleepy.
Let me know if you have anymore questions! And obviously, let me know if you haven't hired a DJ yet!
DJ's help make the moments, and Photographers capture the moment! They are both so vital!
-Jesse Lynn
www.KidronMusicWeddings.com
847-738-3634