When you are looking for a photographer to capture your wedding images, what are the most important issues to you? is is unlimited coverage, the availability of a DVD of images, personality, albums? Let me know!
Hi Jill:
My brides seem to like receiving the most bang for their buck. They seem less interested in albums and more interested in the DVD of images where they can create their own albums via online sites. They are also looking for a photojournalistic approach and want their day to be captured like it is a Magazine editorial versus the traditional shots of the past.
I agree. This year has produced a very different bride. I have changed my pricing handout to be more a la carte than packages. . . don't know if this a good or a bad idea. I am a bit confused by this economic tidal wave and would love to know what other photographers are doing
Hi Jill, Sounds like you were looking for a bride to answer this question, but since other togs are chiming in, I'll throw in my $.02
I also added a la carte options, but my brides seem to love my albums, and I've even book a couple of weddings this year specifically because my albums were nicer. I even booked one bride because they were able to look through a dozen different albums and really get a feel for the one they wanted. I printed out a few of the cheap albums folks can buy online themselves just to show the difference in print quality, sturdyness, and craftsmanship. There is a huge difference.
On the other hand, I do have brides who still want nothing but the DVD of images.
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Reliability. If the person says they will show up they need to be there. You should not have to call and ask "where are you?" Secondly they need to be attentive, must know what shots you are looking for, should not have to ask. Thirdly they should be a professional and know their job inside out. You should not get a call stating your pictures or quality of pictures were diminished because there was poor lighting.
I absolutely agree! Professionalism and expertise are the cornerstone of lasting images - a bride and groom should feel 100% confident that every image of the day will be taken and be of high quality. They must also understand that there is a cost associated with that level of skill. . . and I love creating great images, am always learning more, and get excited when faced with a difficult lighting situation that I get to solve!
Every bride is different and being flexible is key... they will either relate to your photography or not. Then I figure out if an album is important. I have created coffee table books, formal albums, handed over digital files on a disc and the best as of late? A digital frame with all the images loaded on a memory stick. They can watch their wedding again! and load the images to their computer for future use.
As a photographer this year brides seem to be most interested in price in my market. Its difficult competing with shoot and burn photogs around here. All brides seem to want a disc, and some of them want it for nothing. However, I have been more successful in selling prints than in the past, and also albums seem to be making a comeback. Brides seem to want the layflat albums with full-page spreads...like magazine style. They want something with impact.
