Every bride-to-be is familiar with the current trends in weddings. The numerous wedding magazines are filled with information about the latest crazes in gowns, flowers, and bridesmaid’s dresses. These are all very important components to a perfect wedding but no decision will have a more lasting impact (aside from pre-marital counseling) than the choice that each couple makes about who to hire to document their wedding. These are the professionals that will create the memories that will, quite literally, last a lifetime. They will preserve the wedding day for generations to come.
The decision to go with a particular photographer or videographer is one that cannot be taken lightly. There are many factors to consider: price, personality, location, style, presentation and more. Brides and grooms-to-be in Chattanooga are fortunate enough to live in an area filled with talented professionals eager to work with them to capture and create the perfect wedding memories.
Before a couple begins the arduous task of choosing a photographer/videographer, they must first decide whether they want both professionals present at their wedding. Photographers are generally considered an indispensable component to every wedding ceremony. Videography, on the other hand, is a relatively new phenomenon, steadily growing in popularity. Ten years ago most engaged couples would opt to fork out the cash necessary for a quality photographer and leave the videography to their cousin Bobby. Things have changed.
According to TheWeddingReport.com, a website that provides statistics and market information for the wedding industry, a whopping 1.1 million weddings included professional videographers. This accounts for nearly 50% of all weddings in the U.S in 2006. While Cousin Bobby will likely create a painfully long, boring film; a professional videographer will produce a captivating DVD, set to music and edited to remove all of the mundane excess. Shane Zerangue, of Life Productions in Chattanooga, makes a compelling argument for hiring a wedding videographer, “Photographs are important because they capture moments in time that will be treasured forever and will be important family documents that will grow in value as time passes. But photographs alone cannot capture the essence of the day, the emotion and the sounds. I think, without a doubt, that every couple who chooses not to hire a reputable professional videographer is missing out.” For the budget-conscious couple, some professionals, like TriVision Productions in Cleveland, offer both photography and videography services at a discounted rate when you utilize the company for both. The decision whether or not to hire a videographer is ultimately up to the couple but a thorough review of the cost and benefit of each option is recommended.
Once the decision has been made about which professionals to hire, the research begins. Like most major decisions in our society, it all starts with the Internet. Ten years ago, viewing multiple photographers’ portfolios involved a great deal of time and mileage. These days, it can be accomplished with the click of a mouse. Greg Beasley, of Beasley Photography in Ringgold, touts the importance of a professional website, “Word of mouth used to be our most lucrative form of advertising but, these days, 90% of our potential clients have visited our website prior to contacting us.” Most photographer and videographer’s websites are replete with practical information that can be used by a bride and groom to determine if a particular photographer or videographer might be the ideal candidate to shoot their wedding. Some key clicks to make:
· About/Bio: this page will discuss the photographer’s/videographer’s background, how long they’ve been in business, their photographic style, etc. ….
· Gallery: The gallery is a great resource. The pictures/videos presented represent the photographer’s/videographer’s best work.
· Pricing: Most professionals will list price ranges on their website and some package options.
· Feedback/Comments: This is a great place to take a look at testimonials from previous clients.
A close look at area photographers’ or videographers’ websites can give engaged couples enough information to significantly narrow down their choices.
Once couples have focused in on a few options, the interviewing process begins. This process should start with a phone call to each of the photographers and videographers. Callers should be prepared with a list of key questions to ask. Here are some important questions to ask:
· How many weddings have you shot/filmed?
· Photographer specific: What is your photographic style (candid, traditional, photojournalistic, etc…)?
· Photographer specific: Do you offer all prints in color and black and white?
· What are your price ranges?
· What is included in Package A, B, C?
· Can you provide me with some references from previous clients?
· Will you be shooting/filming my wedding or will someone else? If it will be someone else, can I meet with him/her?
· Are you insured?
· What type of guarantee do you offer?
· Do you have a back-up plan? What is it?
· Videographer specific: How much input do the bride and groom have in the music and style of the finished product?
The photographers’ and videographers’ responses to these questions should provide additional insight into their personalities and allow couples to narrow down their list of potential vendors even further.
If the bride or groom is impressed with a photographer or videographer’s website and phone interviews, he or she should set up a face to face meeting. This is an integral part of the process. Bill McCord of BillMcCord.com Photography stresses the importance of an in-person consultation, “I highly recommend that the couple get to know the photographer’s personality. This is the one, single relationship that lasts six months to a year after the wedding.”
Intuition plays a critical role in the decision making process as well. Getting a “feel” for the photographer/videographer and whether or not their personalities will gel with those of the bridal party. If at all possible, both the bride and groom should attend the meetings with the potential photographers and videographers. During this consultation, couples will have the opportunity to get a first-hand look at the finished products: albums, prints and DVDs. Greg and Jeannie Forehand of Contemporary Portraits in Signal Mountain agree, “Since the photographer will be spending a very large part of the wedding day with them, the couple should talk with their photographer to make sure everyone knows what is expected of them on the wedding day. The bride and groom need to view actual albums to be sure what will be covered at a typical wedding.” Shane Zerangue of Life Productions agrees, “You will be spending an entire day with the videographer so it is important to know that his or her demeanor fits well with you and your family. Never hire a videographer without at least spending time on the phone with him or her. Do not base your decision on price alone.” Of course price has a place in the process but the ultimate decision should boil down to a number of factors, not the least of which is the videographer’s/photographer’s personality.
One particular variable that has changed in recent years is the presentation of photographs. This used to be standard fare: the pictures were taken, developed and presented to the couple several weeks after the wedding in the form of proofs. With the advent and overwhelming popularity of digital photography and web-based mediums, the choices for wedding photography presentation have grown. According to Greg Beasley of Beasley Photography in Ringgold there are three main photographic presentation options, “You can post them online, make a DVD slideshow, or you can get a proof book. We offer all three with every wedding we do. They are included in all packages.” This may be a critical component of the decision making process. Brides and grooms may want to share their digital images with friends and family in a hassle-free way. DVD slideshows and online photo albums provide them with this choice. Plus, it allows family members and friends to view and order photographs individually if they choose. Some couples want to purchase the rights to all digital images from the photographers and videographers and print them independently. This is a relatively new phenomenon and while some professionals do offer this as an (rather pricey) option, many are hesitant to do so because they want to maintain a level of control over the final product. If the presence of this option is a deal-breaker for couples, it should definitely be on the list of questions to discuss during the initial phone interview.
The Chattanooga area has a great deal to offer an engaged couple that are trying to choose the perfect professional to capture and create their wedding memories. With the proper research and the help of a seasoned professional, this once in a lifetime event will be beautifully preserved for the bride and groom, as well as generations to come, to enjoy.