August 2008 - the Parklander

CAMERA CLICKS
Choosing a Photographer For Your Wedding
By Jay H. Guttveg
Welcome to Camera Clicks. This series of articles is
designed to give you first hand knowledge on how to
best use your point-and-shoot camera, and other helpful
hints related to your photography needs.
The summer months are generally slower for wedding professionals,
which allows you more flexibility in meeting with them and negotiating
prices. Learning what to look for and what questions to ask are the most
important issues of concern when finding the right photographer.
Younger photographers tend to be more photojournalistic, where the old
timers are more comfortable with a traditional style of photography. You
should learn the differences between these styles and see where your
preference leads you. My recommendation is to find someone who has the
talent to do both, as each has significant value.
Besides style, lighting is a great way of qualifying your photographer.
Most photographers work with a single flash (on their camera), making
their images appear flat or comparable to a novice. Multiple flashes create
dimension as well as assisting the subjects to appear more flattering. At
first, you might not notice this lighting technique, but over time and with
more education, it will soon stand out and become obvious.
Editing is another way to determine the photographer’s level of
professionalism. Taking the images from the camera to computer to disc is
not good enough. The images need to be finessed.They need to be adjusted
20 AUGUST 2008
for color consistency, density, and expressions. In the world of digital and
endless exposures, it is not uncommon to receive 800 or more unedited
images, which you’ll have to go through, only to find that there are a limited
number of really acceptable photos. Make sure that the photographer
presents you with adjusted images and not unedited images.
Finally, I saved the best for last: price. The old adage, “You get what
you pay for,” is too true in digital wedding photography. There are many
ways of cutting costs, from less expensive albums to delaying the
production of the wedding album. But whatever you do, don’t cut the
hours of coverage. Photograph the entire day, as it is better to have it and
not use it, than to not have it at all. We tell our clients that you can always
put an album together some time in the future, however we can’t print
what we haven’t covered.
There is typically no charge to meet with a professional wedding
photographer, so take the time to check out at least three. This will allow
you an opportunity to see some differences. Do some homework by
checking with other industry related vendors and the Better Business
Bureau about the photographers that you are considering. In general, an
experienced photographer that is highly recommended is not going to let
you down.
Jay H. Guttveg, owner and president of Creative Focus Photography &
Video, has specialized in Portraits and Events for more than 24 years.
Guttveg, along with his wife and two sons, has been a Parkland resident
for more than 14 years.