DOING
COULDN'T BE DONE
Never interrupt someone
what you said
AMELIA EARHART
BE HELPFUL
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We try to be as helpful as possible. That's why we've gone through all the trouble to write these tips for you.
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Secrets and advice from a wedding photographer
THE DARK ROOM SECRETS
Dark & secret… yes indeed, we photographers can be a dirty bunch. But, before your minds go racing into the gutter let's qualify that we are talking about the business of photography. Often we are so undisclosed that I wonder if Don Corleone didn't actually appropriate the line 'never ask me about my business' from our industry.
Why you ask? Fear of competition, lack of confidence, the need to put food on the table are just a few of the many reasons I'm sure, but I am not writing to answer why, but really what you should be aware of. I want to lay it down for you honestly to help you make a great decision on a hefty investment. My bold text italic one line seller: the next ten minutes might save you thousands… so here we go:
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Photoshop - The Photographers Makeup
Photoshop can make anything look amazing… perhaps with the exception of your drivers license photo (why do we all end up looking like criminals?!?!?). Really, it is an awesome tool that can make average looking photographs and photographer into superstars. So why don't Photographers use it all the time you ask?
Time. It takes a handsome investment of time… and time = money. When looking at our website or portfolios bet your last dollar that a fair amount of time was spent editing those gems, but this doesn't make it all bad. Consider it like make-up. People wear make-up to make themselves feel better, and photographers use Photoshop to make themselves feel better about their pictures.
The truth about myself however, is that I am a lazy editor…. but I am a hardworking photographer. I believe in getting the photographs as perfect in camera as possible. Now this doesn't mean I shun Photoshop, it just means I save it for those times I really need it. Photographers are humans, and we have off days. The sun decides not to shine, your flash unit burns out, it's minus 25 outside and the bridesmaids are all in sleeveless dresses… a lot can happen, and when it does every photographer leans on Photoshop to jazz up their reel.
Most of what you see from our reels are only lightly retouched, using a program called Lightroom. My advice is be weary of too much editing, especially where it overtakes the quality of photography. Unless you are looking for a graphic editor keep this in mind when looking at portfolios.
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Albums
Without question the easiest add-on for any photographer to sell. If a photographer starts to pull out anything with a lace trim, run and don't look back! It is the sales equivalent of asking someone if they want ketchup with their fries. For some couples it is a must-have-build-into-the-package maker or breaker part of the deal.
My advice is to rethink this. What you truly want is exceptional photos. If your album is rockstar, but the photos aren't up to your vision, you would never want to look at it. You are left with a very expensive bookend.
Albums or their kin come in many different flavours these day… photo books, press books, digital albums etc… there is a style, size and budget for everyone. Professionally designed, printed and bound albums are hours of work, and their price reflects this. Typically they start at $1000, and the sky is the limit.
While that might not be in the budget right now, it certainly can be a down the road. Couples come back to us 2-3 years later when they are ready to make the investment into making their big day into an art piece. Between now and then there are many self-publish options on the internet that can tie you over. Programs like Apple Albums, Blurb Books, Shutterfly and even Black's can be cost effective. Granted it's not the custom designed art piece you can expect from us, but can be that instant gratification in seeing your photos printed and bound.
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Lighting
Photography is the language of light (I didn't come up with that, but it is best description of photography that I have ever heard). Without light there is no photo. Photographers can make our subjects look incredible, great, average or horrible based on their mastery of light. When looking for a photographer keep a keen eye out for their use of light. Do the subjects have light which gives them dimension, or did someone just throw a bucket of photons in their face (e.g. most saturday night party shots). Look for photos that look naturally lit and ask about off-camera lighting. An intelligent and creative mix of the two are good signs of a quality photographer.
A photographer who doesn't understand lights, is about as useful as a doctor who doesn't understand the human body. Risky at best!
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Gear vs. Vision
Gear is good, but vision is better (again can't take credit for this quote… one day I'll come up with my own). Every photographer drools over the latest lens, gadget and camera bag. The truth is that it none of these will make anyone a better photographer. Honing our abilities to feel, recognize, anticipate and envision will. Having gear to back it up help, but it always second to the intangible skills.
Photographers talk about the 'eye'. So…. this mean we are all Lord of the Rings sci-fi nerds? Probably… but it really refers to the ability to see the world in a unique way, otherwise known as 'vision'. And sadly you either have it or you don't. Gear is good but by no means determines how good the photographer actually is. I hope no one points out the hypocrisy of having 20k worth of gear sitting at my feet while I write this. In my defense… I really, really like gear!
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Your Photos… are they really your photos?
So you booked a photographer, the big day comes and goes, so time to pick up 'your' photos right? Yes if you did your homework.
If getting your photos (and I mean all your photos) is important to you, make sure you have a contract stating it. Unless you want a watermarked logo etched across Grandma's forehead, take special care to ensure no watermarking is going to take place. Every photographer varies on what they offer you, so have it spelt out. Also remember that the photographer own the photos and in many cases so do you, but there are limitation on what either party can use it for. Again best to have this clearly spelled out.
We give our clients everything in high resolution, non-watermarked RAW format. Basically, if we shoot you in it, your gonna get it.
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Boutiques vs. Conglomerates
Couples looking for that extra level of care, consideration, personalization and experience would do well with boutique style photographers. Here personal relationships can be formed, which are the backbone of lasting memories and exceptional photographs.
Larger conglomerates take a less personalized approach, however do offer up a roster of photographers to pick from. It is so important you know who, and in what style your wedding will be photographed. If you feel that there is an arms length relationship with you and your photographer… you photos will likely reflect this.
My opinion… well established well regarded boutiques are the best scenario. Hmm… that sounds quite close to what Kumari is? Ok… all this free advice comes with at least one shameless self promotion plug. Cheeky, yes… but really it is my honest opinion.
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The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The GOOD: Price Breaks: If you are in love, in love with your wedding and offer a personal touch or unique appeal to your day, we want to collaborate with you. So in some cases we do give price breaks, however this is always dependant on how strong our connection is! If you have a good reason why you need a price break let us know (p.s. 'my wedding is expensive' is not a good enough reason).
The BAD: Price matching: not a big fan of the phrase, nor giving them. We value our time and work as creative professionals and thus set a price accordingly. Every artist sets their price, and in the wild west world of wedding photography everyone is different. This is an ugly topic to bring up with any photographer, as they are forced to play the comparison game. I wouldn't wish that on my friends and peers in the industry, so we decline to 'Price Match'.
The UGLY: No Tax Contracts: Heck no! You don't want this and neither do we. A contract is your record of sale, and by law if there is no tax paid, there is no contract! We keep it on the level, despite what many in this industry are doing. We have seen a very distraught couple on their wedding day lament not receiving a wedding cake paid in cash. Not only was this portion of their day ruined, they were also entitled to nothing. Buyer Beware…. and get a contract which shows tax!
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Budget
Good wedding photographers in Toronto will start around $4500, however tends to drift upwards by inflation etc...
There are many options below this range, but practically speaking you get what you pay for. The laws of supply and demand govern our industry just like any other. We are a small boutique, so when we are booked… that date is no longer available.
The best way is to find out where to set your budget is to test the waters… talk with a $3k, $5k and a $7k photographer and gauge the difference yourself. We have typically noticed a huge jump in the quality and experience with budgets north of $5k.
Sangeeta & I are photographers because we are passionate about our work, not because we are good business people (if you're reading this far you've probably surmised this already). If a couple wants to be unique & have some fun we will definitely want to work with them. We look for personality, expression and most importantly their interest in photography. We aways stress that a personality match trumps a budget match. Find the right photographer first, and if budget is an issue talk with them honestly. The nice ones (who are typically the good ones also) will probably make something work with you. Thanks for reading this far and best of luck with the planning! (p.s. if you are a photographer and have any comments on this write-up I would love to hear your feedback… please email me at monty@kumariphotography.com)
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