1. Have faith in Google

There aren’t many photographers around today that don’t have a website, and one of the best ways of finding and comparing wedding photographers in your area and price range is through search engines like Google. Yet with the market being so saturated it’s easy for couples to miss out on some amazing photographers and great prices by not using the power of Google enough. Spend some time trawling through the Google results beyond the first few pages. By ensuring you take your time on your search you can get the best possible short-list of potential wedding photographers to choose from. Additionally use specialist search terms like “black and white”, “reportage”, etc, as well as looking for wedding photographers from other towns within a couple of hundred miles from you, as most are happy to travel. My wife and I live in Sussex, and when looking for our photographer we not only searched “Wedding Photographer in Sussex“, we also made sure to look for photographers in London, Kent and Hampshire.

2. Watch Out for Hidden Costs

In this day and age most photographers are using digital equipment rather than old school film cameras requiring darkroom processing. All of which has meant that wedding photographer prices are a lot more simple now too. So I’m amazed that so many photographers still charge their customers an extra fee for each print on top of the booking! Always look for photographers willing to give you all the images from the day on CD. Like this you can choose which prints you want to get done at leisure and get them printed for relatively low cost.

3. Make your Own Photo Books!

You remember the old flowery, faded, peeling wedding albums your aunt insists on showing you every time you visit? Yeah, they’re dead now. Nowadays modern photobooks are now the norm and extremely popular – but with a lot of wedding photographers adding these on to your package significantly increases the overall cost. Yet if you’re willing to make a little effort yourself and you have some creative flair, there are many photobook services now where you can design one at home and get them printed at bargain prices. The same goes for things like canvas prints and enlargements – all you really need are the original high res images!

4. Be Wary of Wedding Photography Scams

I have heard so many stories of unfortunate couples who have been taken in by unscrupulous con artists posing as wedding photographers. These swindlers will poach couples with cheap prices and slick sales pitches, receive their deposits or even full booking payments and then never be heard from again. They are truly tragic and horrible stories. But it can be easily avoided with vigilance. Firstly, ensure that any payment of deposits or fees are done via bank transfer – its the most secure method of payment, and can be traced and reversed in the event of a problem. Also make sure you get a legally binding contract from the photographer which states clearly what you are getting for your money and will protect you. Finally, and probably most importantly, the phrase “constant vigilance” applies here – go and visit the photographer before money changes hands, make sure you see examples of their work and ask questions about how everything will work – a good photographer will put your fears to rest.

5. Don’t be Tempted to Cut Corners!

My last tip is perhaps the opposite of a moneysaving one, but just as important as the others. I know you’re trying to save money but it it possible to take that overboard! Like I said, the photography is quite possibly THE most important part of your wedding, especially when you look back. There are hundreds of amateur and inexperienced ‘photographers’ out there who are trying their luck as a side income. By focusing purely on the price you could be misled into thinking these offer a great deal. But if you ignore the very cheapest prices that’s where you often find the best compromises between price and quality. The bottom line is this: if you look at your photographer’s previous work and it doesnt make you go “wow” then is it really worth paying for a professional?

Technorati Tags: advice, credit crunch, frugal, moneysaving, photography, tips, Wedding Photography, weddings

1. Have faith in Google

There aren’t many photographers around today that don’t have a website, and one of the best ways of finding and comparing wedding photographers in your area and price range is through search engines like Google. Yet with the market being so saturated it’s easy for couples to miss out on some amazing photographers and great prices by not using the power of Google enough. Don’t be content with just looking at Page 1 of the results or the first few sponsored listings. By ensuring you take your time on your search you can get the best possible short-list of potential wedding photographers to choose from. Also don’t just go for the obvious search terms – make sure you vary your searches, and always include a few local areas and towns to find photographers who are slightly further afield but willing to travel. For example for my wedding I not only searched for “Wedding Photographer Brighton” – we also looked at other surrounding areas such as Kent, Hampshire, London and Surrey.

2. Be Wary of “Stealth Charges”

In this day and age most photographers are using digital equipment rather than old school film cameras requiring darkroom processing. That means the wedding photographer prices have become a lot simpler. So I’m amazed that so many photographers still charge their customers an extra fee for each print on top of the booking! Always look for photographers willing to give you all the images from the day on CD. That way you can get prints done at a fraction of the cost at your local photo printing lab.

3. Optional Extras and Photo Books – DIY!

Traditional wedding albums with flowery covers and peeling pages are becoming a relic of the past. These days contemporary wedding photography books have become hugely popular, and many photographers charge significant premiums to include these with your package. However if you can spare the time and energy, it’s possible to design and create very stylish photobooks yourself, and get them printed at a relatively tiny cost. The same goes for things like canvas prints and enlargements – all you really need are the original high res images!

4. Be Wary of Wedding Photography Scams

Everyon’e heard a story about a couple who got scammed by a so-called “photographer” who ran off with their money. Such criminals, who it must be said are few and far between, lure couples in with a too good to be true package, often stolen photos, and once they receive the deposit you never hear from them again. It breaks my heart to hear about this sort of thing. However the good news is that they’re easily avoided. Make sure you pay any deposits via secure bank transfer as this can be traced in the event of a problem, and that you receive an invoice and receipt for your payment. Also make sure you get a legally binding contract from the photographer which states clearly what you are getting for your money and will protect you. Finally, and probably most importantly, the phrase “constant vigilance” applies here – go and visit the photographer before money changes hands, make sure you see examples of their work and ask questions about how everything will work – a good photographer will put your fears to rest.

5. Don’t be Tempted to Cut Corners!

Now this one may sound counter-intuitive when it comes to ‘credit crunch weddings’ but I feel it’s an important one. In your quest to cut your wedding budget don’t go too far! Like I said, the photography is quite possibly THE most important part of your wedding, especially when you look back. In this world of ubiquitous DSLR cameras, wannabe photographers with little experience are ten a penny. By focusing purely on the price you could be misled into thinking these offer a great deal. But often the real bargains are to be found by going up a level in pricing. Your photographer’s portfolio should always make you go “wow” – otherwise what’s the point of having a wedding photographer?

Technorati Tags: advice, credit crunch, frugal, moneysaving, photography, tips, Wedding Photography, weddings