I have been a photographer for some years now and during this time I have been trying to meet customer needs from a client perspective. This is great but I always think they are holding back because they think it will cost more if they ask for a specific shot or group of shots. From your experiences what do you think are they key things the client really wants from there photo shoot or wedding?
Well. I'm going to be honest with you. My Brides want a good photographer with low prices, however most of my brides are African-American. And they also say they trust an African-American more to get their complexions right. This comes from a long line of Caucasian photographers who make them darker than they really are.
Hi Vivian, thanks for the response. Yep price is always the big one they want reduced but I do find that when I was "cheaper" people went to someone else because they thought that I "could not be that good at that price", so some you win some you lose. I understand about the skin tones this can be a challenge if you are not used to working with people with dark complexions against a white dress, this is easly correctled by using manual white balance and a silver reflector, all you do is take a few test shots until the balance is perfect. This may help if you are in the same situation again :-)
I think brides want versatility and flexibility. They want their photographer to be able to accommodate the family bridal shots, be more spontaneous, and get more shots that are candid - less posed. Also, they want options - options for videography, unique twists on portraiture, and they want someone who stands out above the crowd. I have seen some photographers who get annoyed with being a bit off the time schedule because the bride and groom are interrupted by guests (family members) who feel they need to congratulate or hug at that very moment. Rolling with the punches and being flexible is a big part of being a great photographer.
Hi, thanks for the feedback, I have always been suprised at the way some photographers think that the wedding should fit round them. I have always tried to fit into what the bride and groom have wanted even staying well past the contracted times to make sure that theyget the images they want. Others have said I was wrong to do this, but this is supposed to be their day and the images should provide a positive and warm feeling when looked at years down the line.
My brides are always looking at the lower price first but are willing to pay a little more once they see samples of the photographer's work and talk through ideas.
They also want a photographer who is creative and fresh; one who will provide them with something perhaps not done/seen much before.
Brides appreciate being on time on their wedding day but they don't like a pushy photographer who adds to the stress of their day.
Photographers should not be intrusive with their equipment; I worked with one once who put their tripod in the aisle, refused to move it and the bridal party (including the bride) had to walk around it! She also walked right up on the stage during the vows and blocked the view of the guests, annoying the bride and groom! There were plenty of places to set the shot up; she really thought it was all about her.
My brides look at price and quality. A lot of them want the best quality at a fair price. I believe that you do get what you pay for. Also they want a photograpgher whose personality is the right fit. Someone who can capture the essence of the affair and run with it. Excitement is contagious and I try to find someone who is excited about their job. It makes it fun to work with them.
Professional photography, creativity, being unobtrusive. At least that is what most of my brides want I'm looking at this from a differnt view I'm a photographer. Some of the basics good reliable equipment, professional attire, on time, back up photogrphers and back up equipment just in case. I want the bride and groom to have no worries at least about their photographer. And our brides is most concerned about creative and fun portriats. About 90% of our brides are referrals from other brides so they know a little more about us then ones that are not.
We try to have all of our family portriats finished in 15-20 mins after the ceremony so we can have a few moments with just the bride and groom for some fun and private portraits and they can get to their party and start to celebrate. We don't stop them during the reception to make them pose for us. We cover the whole day no limits on shooting. And on shooting African-American skin I'm not sure why a photographer ever has a problem with this think about shooting a black tux next to a white dress you can't get a harder subject to shoot. If you know your equipment then you can.
Thanks Sandra, could not agree more. the majority of my work is referals from other weddings I have done, they always seem suprised when they ask during the day for different shots and I say yes, when I ask them why they are suprised I said yes they always talk about a wedding they went to where the bridge and groom where "bullied" into a set amount of shots and then the photographer saying that anything "extra" to his list would cost more. This just puts us all in a poor light and I do hope that we can get this type of behaviour removed from the scene as quickly as we can.
