My Wedding Forum

It is my privilege to share some Tips and Advises to all soon-to-wed couples. I hope by sharing what I’ve learned and experienced as a Wedding Photographer will equip the readers on how to properly choose and negotiate with their Photo & Video Suppliers.

Topic : How to choose your P/V supplier

1. Check their published work (website) :
Usually the purpose of the prenup shoot is to create bonding between the Client and the Photographer. During the shoot they get to experience how to relax with each other and to discuss the do’s and don’ts and wants and do not want. But be careful not to be overwhelmed by just the prenup pictures alone. Make sure to ask or check the actual wedding pictures that they did. This is how you will determine if the Photographer is really an experienced wedding photographer. Capturing the whole story of the wedding.

2. Read the feedback of their customers :
This is the most important factor in deciding which photographer to choose.All good promises will be made at the beginning of the transaction but it is the fulfillment of those promises that really matters. Yes good pictures in a nice album will not be appreciated if submitted a year after the wedding. Check how soon they give the finished product based on the reviews made by their clients.

3. Type of Cameras and Camcorder to use :
The standard camera for wedding coverage is an SLR Camera. If it’s already digital then it is called DSLR. Ordinary digicam no matter how large is the pixel count, it is still not suited for wedding coverage. Aside from the camera, also check if they have different types of lens. Wide for group shots, Standard mid range and zoom lens. Most of the time these lenses are more expensive than the camera. There are also an ordinary and expensive lens. Ofcourse expensive lens are designed to be sharper or faster.

3CCD camcorders for the video are the standard for wedding. Simply because it is very versatile and can adjust to different types of lighting conditions from indoor to outdoor. Smaller camcorders can also be used but the quality is not comparable to the 3CCD Camcorder. So the price for a video coverage using 3CCD is more expensive than an ordinary camcorder.

4. Make sure to know who will be your actual Photographer or Videographer:
It is amazing how clients agreed to sign a contract without even knowing who will actually shoot on their wedding day. Well if you’re the kind of client who can easily smile and emote in front of the camera operated by a person whom you just met on your wedding day, then this is not a problem for you :-)

5. With Tangible office, studio or residence:
If you like the supplier but worried if they are indeed legitimate and not a fly by night type, then meet them in their studio, office or residence so you would know where to find them if things go wrong.

6. Negotiable Terms of Payment :
You get what you’ve paid for. Yes that’s right. It is unfair to pay the REGULAR rates and packages in FULL before the wedding day and don’t have any hold or control over the finished product.

7. Make sure you have a say with the style and lay-out of your album:
Sad to say, most of the suppliers nowadays doesn’t include the client’s decision on the lay-out and edited video. Make sure the contract allows you to approve or disapprove the lay-out or draft.

For my other wedding tips, please visit www.creativeworks-studio.com