Friday, December 26, 2008

Selecting a Wedding Photography Package Thats Right For You

Finding an affordable wedding photography package isn't easy. Every bride wants the best for her wedding, but the reality is that not every bride can afford the best. Many couples have limited budgets with which to work and all too often, they find themselves having to cut corners to avoid over-spending. The first aspect of a wedding that is slashed for costs is the professional wedding photographer.

The reason for this is that wedding photography prices are anything but standardized. Depending on the photographer you select, the format and style of photography and the length of the celebration, the base rate can fluctuate wildly. Added to this is the fact that there are almost limitless options in the wedding photography package. The more extras you add, the higher the price.

Many who are seeking budget wedding photography decide to spend their money on hiring a better photographer to do less work. Rather than selecting a lower priced photographer and ordering a huge photo package, they go with the photographer that they most trust and order a smaller package. Some couples even forgo the traditional wedding photography package altogether and simply buy the negatives or original digital images from the photographer. These couples then use their own technological savvy to create personalized albums and reprints that are meaningful to them.

Some professional wedding photographers maintain a traditionalist view. They feel that as the expert, the wedding photographer is the only one truly suited to put together the wedding album. This argument does have some merit. The photographer is the only one who knows what he or she was trying to convey in each shot. Additionally, the photographer works closely with trusted contacts at the developing lab and is able to judge when photos return with imperfections. He or she is familiar with color balance and stylistic concerns and is therefore quite adept at placing the photos within the album to create a pleasing whole.

The onset of digital photography and computer graphics programs has made it possible for individuals to create their own professional looking photos rather than pick from a wedding photography package. If you're the type of couple that has a flair for crafts or graphics, you might be able to do your own retouching of your photos. For some couples, creating a wedding album is a fun project that they take into their own hands.

Many couples opt for the best of both worlds. These couples purchase a basic wedding photography package that includes a small album and a few reprints. They also purchase the original media and create a personalized album as well. They may do reprints and reorders themselves, or they may order these items from their photographer, depending on how much time and money they have. This way, the couple receives a classic wedding album to show their children and grandchildren, as well as the ability to personalize and scrapbook to their hearts' content.

Wedding photography packages are as wide and varied as the people who buy them. The market is also changing every day, and more options become available with each passing moment. Whether your wedding is traditional or something out of the ordinary, there is a professional wedding photographer to match your tastes. Don't forget that you don't have to buy the whole wedding photography package, either. You can always hire a photographer for his time and buy the negatives and proofs or you can find a package that offers you a little bit everything you want. The choice is always up to you.

Planning a wedding can be a very daunting task. What with time constraints as well as budget concerns, some couples choose to leave some of the more critical aspects out of their wedding totally. Photography should not be one of them. In this article, we will address some fundamental issues on wedding photography that all couples should recognize while preparing for their special day.

When I book a photographer how soon in advance should I do this?

Numerous photographers advocate booking a photographer as soon as you become engaged, or at least until you recognize when the wedding date is. It is advised that the couple who is engaged book 8-12 months in advance since some studios book wedding dates quickly. Weddings are more prominent from May to October while the weather is most favorable. If you select to hold your wedding during this period of time, the photographer you select will likely expect a non-returnable deposit or retainer fee to book the date of your wedding. This ensures that you will have this studio or photographer on your desired date, and securing a job for your photographer. The sooner you book your photographer, the more likely you are able to work with your first choice.

What are some of the benefits of hiring a professional?

The crucial benefit to hiring a professional wedding photographer is experience. Most wedding photographers have experience dealing with numerous different people and tough personalities.  They have faced atrocious weather conditions, and have run across various technical problems. Since they are specialized in photography, they are well equipped to address various wedding sizes or photo demands. Unlike a friend or relative of the couple, a professional photographer's main goal is catching candid moments on film. Knowing they are expected on delivering brilliant photos that will be loved for many years to come, they are less apt to be carried away by aspects of the ceremony. With an event that allows no second chances, hiring a professional is a good investment that will help keep your memories of your special day around for years.

Which format is the better choice, film or digital?

It will all truly depend on what the photographer that you choose prefers. Digital is ordinarily less pricey than film. Notwithstanding, film can be scanned at a higher resolution when king-sized prints are preferred, and it is perfect for fast moving subjects because of faster shutter speeds on 35mm cameras. On the other hand, digital prints appear similar to film, sometimes even better. When it comes to digital photography there are no negatives so there is no processing time at all, and less chance of misplaced or damaged film, or difficulties with photo finishing. Digital photos can be simpler to share with friends or family through emails, and galleries on the internet. In addition, digital images are not likely to fade in color or detail since they are typically stored on a CD or disk. Either way, if you really enjoy the work of a photographer, picking out which format to employ for your wedding day should not be a huge problem.

When hiring a professional photographer how much should I expect to spend?

Expect photography by itself to be close to 5% to 10% of your whole budget. That might be anywhere from $900 to $2,000, and even up to $10,000. This is all dependent on various elements such as advertising, transportation, education, and insurance. Quotes on price include the cost of equipment for instance cameras and film. High-performance professional cameras can cost in the thousands. While producing black and white film is much more costly than preparing color prints due to a long handcrafted process. Other things that couples have to take account into their budget for photography involve the amount of hours photographers spend while at your wedding, including additional photographers, any additional prints, as well as custom albums. In addition, anticipate to pay more for a professional that is in high demand.


Can I keep my wedding picture negatives?

 

Legally, the copyrights to photos taken on your wedding day are the property of the photographer when they are created. It is illegal to copy or reproduce copyrighted material while not having the authority from the owner of the right of first publication. Numerous photographers select to keep the proofs or negatives because they want to maintain their control of, as well as protect the photos that they have taken. This enables photographers to charge extra if additional prints are requested. Nevertheless many wedding photographers do not think about selling photographs, and are more than prepared to hand over any negatives. Each photo studio will have various policies involving who keeps the rights to the negatives as well as the proofs. Numerous studios also like to keep negatives for individuals in case the primary negatives have been damaged or lost.

 


To find out more go here: Wildlife Photography with additional useful material at Fine Art Photography and Photography Props

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