Avoid a wedding disaster - what you must consider when choosing a photographer!

 Be sure to consider these questions when interviewing a photographer for your wedding:

·          How long has the photographer been in business?

·          Are they familiar with Christian, Jewish, Hindu, and other kinds of ceremonies?

·          Do you like their work?

·          How many weddings has the photographer done?

·          How quickly do they book up for wedding dates, and do they do more than one wedding per day?

·          Are they licensed and insured?

·          Are they a full-time professional wedding photographer?

·          Are they members of good standing in professional associations?  (PPA, WPPI, AAWP)

·          Do they enter competitions and attend seminars – what awards have they won?

·          Are they PPA certified or have any degrees, and why is that important?

·          Will the photographer you’ve met be the one who does your wedding, and are these his/her samples? 

·          Do they bring a second photographer / assistant?

·          How long do they need for the posed photographs?  Are they organized and can they help you with a timeline?

·          How many photos will they take at my wedding?

·          Do they work well with other vendors?

·          Are you comfortable with the personality of the photographer?

·          What kind of backup do they have?  Equipment?  What if they’re sick on the wedding day?

·          Do they do retouching in the finished books and why is that important for my album?

·          How is their reputation in the community?

Here’s Dwight Smith Photography’s answers to the questions:

How long has the photographer been in business?

Dwight photographed his first wedding when he was 18, over 20 years ago when a friend asked him to do their wedding.  Soon all their friends were calling up asking him to do their weddings too, and he’s been busy ever since!  Weddings of all faiths – Christian, Jewish, Hindu, non-denominational, and weddings without religion at all!  Each one is a beautiful event.

 Are they familiar with Christian, Jewish, Hindu and other kinds of ceremonies?

It’s important to be familiar with all faiths and traditions specific to each.  With over 1200 weddings Dwight has photographed Christian, Jewish, Hindu, non-denominational, and weddings without religion at all!  Regardless of the faith, all religious traditions are treated with equal dignity and respect.

Do you like their work?

Dwight provides a wonderful blend of styles – including photojournalism, environmental, and traditional.  The best way to decide on style is to set an appointment and view the sample albums at the studio.

How many weddings has the photographer done?

Dwight has photographed over 1200 weddings, but still absolutely loves what he does and puts 110% into every event!

How quickly do they book up for wedding dates, and do they do more than one wedding per day?

Dwight has bookings into next year already, but several dates this year are still open.  We have no way of knowing when a date will book up, but he only does one wedding per day.  That way you receive the full energy and focus to provide outstanding images.

Are they licensed and insured?

Dwight has carried full business insurance for years, both equipment and liability.

Are they a full-time professional wedding photographer?

Dwight has been a full-time wedding photographer for over 12 years now.  Before that he taught engineers how to use computer drafting programs at Motorola, and has a degree in Computer Drafting and Design.

Are they members of good standing in professional associations?  (PPA, WPPI, AAWP)

Dwight is a member of PPA, WPPI, AAWP, and other associations too.  He has served as a past president of PPPA, and as a board member of APPA – many years of service to the various associations.

Do they enter competitions and attend seminars – what awards have they won?

When you visit Dwight’s studio you’ll see many awards and accolades from all the competitions he’s won including “Photographer of the Year”  He goes to national conventions each year to learn the latest styles and techniques.

Are they PPA certified or have any degrees, and why is that important?

Dwight is a PPA Certified Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman.  Only 3% of photographers are PPA certified.  These degrees assure you that no matter what photographic lighting challenges there may be, he’ll know what to do. 

Will the photographer you’ve met be the one who does your wedding, and are these his/her samples? 

Dwight only books weddings where he is the primary photographer.  Most couples book packages with two photographers, and usually that’s Debbie (his fiancée) who’s worked with Dwight for many years.  Dwight has samples of Debbie’s work at his studio too.

Do they bring a second photographer / assistant?

In all but the smallest packages there will be a second photographer assisting Dwight (see the question above.)

How long do they need for the posed photographs?  Are they organized and can they help you with a timeline?

Our philosophy has always been to tell the story of the wedding day with many candid, spontaneous images along with quickly posed photos of the couple, families, and the wedding party.  It typically only takes 30 minutes to do the posed photos.

How many photos will they take at my wedding?

We don’t limit how many images are taken at your wedding.  While it’s impossible to know ahead of time, most 6-hour coverages have over 500 images to choose from.  Often there will be well over 800!

Do they work well with other vendors?

Dwight is a team player who coordinates with other vendors, including videographers.  We’ll make sure that the band or DJ keeps us aware of when an event is about to happen, and is happy to work weddings where a bridal consultant is running the show.

Are you comfortable with the personality of the photographer?

Dwight really loves what he does and has a lot of fun photographing your wedding.  The art of photography is not to just point the camera and say “smile”, but to converse with the subjects and have the smile come from within.  When you meet Dwight at the studio you’ll instantly be comfortable.

What kind of backup do they have?  Equipment?  What if they’re sick on the wedding day?

Dwight generally brings four cameras to each wedding, including one that’s converted to photograph only Infrared.  He backs up everything several ways, and belongs to a group where one of the rules of membership is that we agree to cover for each other in case of emergency.  Rest assured though that out of 1200 weddings Dwight hasn’t missed one, but it’s always great to have backup.

Do they do retouching in the finished books and why is that important for my album?

One look at the sample albums and you’ll see why Dwight spends the time he does on touch-ups and artistic effects in every finished album – based on what you like.  Examples include fixing shiny complexions from warm days, softening smile lines and bags under the eyes, and so much more!

How is their reputation in the community?

With so many years in the business as you ask around you’ll find that Dwight has an excellent reputation.