Yes I am really doing a blog post on how to find a budget photographer. I promised it a while back, but I am just now getting around to typing this up. I probably should clarify that this is actually, "How to find a good photographer on a small budget." There are plenty of budget wedding photographers out there, but I can't have you wondering off into the inter-webs and get sucked up by some hack with a camera. I'd like to think of all brides as my flock, and I need to help guide you along in the right direction.
Why am I, a wedding photographer who charges on average $2,500+ Telling my potential customers how to score on the cheap? Simple, I sincerely believe everyone deserves good wedding photographs. People who are under more financial strains, belt tightening, or just plain thrifty are no less in love, and the day no less important than someone who can afford a world renowned shooter who charges $20,000+. Seriously, I have traveled down that road. If it wasn't for family and friends Krista and I would have had a wedding day that looked a lot like the inside of the local court house. I know that you all are out there, and I'm telling you it is O.K.! I don't want you to end up with someone who can't handle your wedding photos. So let me help.
First let's define what a small budget is. A small budget for wedding photography is between $500 and $1,000. You are not going to find any established professionals in this price range for a normal weekend wedding during peak season. So, let's pretend you are that person, and you really can't do more than oh say $500 plus maybe $200 for an album of some type and a few large prints. Where do you start? One place is all you really need: Craigslist. Yes the great free classified system is full of photographers of all various skill sets.
If you are not familiar with Craigslist it is a free online classified listing. Just go to Google and type in "Dallas craigslist". The first link that comes up is it. That will bring you to the main page, over on the left you need to type what you are searching for. You want a photographer so type photographer, and then in the drop down box select service since you are searching for a service provider.
Now when I did that it originally returned over 1,000 results! Not all of them budget mind you, or budget and good. I went back and narrowed it down by searching for wedding photographer.
Now this got me down to 431 results. Start clicking away. Browse and see what is out there. Many will list a starting price, just keep moving if it is beyond your budget. If you find one you like you may have to type their website address by hand. A lot of people don't know how to code in HTML and that is the only way to make links clickable on Craigslist. If their website looks good to you, and the images look good, and if pricing started out in your range you may be almost home. However, beware that some people will say "packages starting at $300" only to click over to their website and find out that is for only two hours of coverage and no images. Not what you need keep moving.
Now you may be tempted to just look at the ads with images in them. You can even search for just those ads, but I would advise you not to. Remember a lot of people do not know HTML in order to put images onto Craigslist. It doesn't mean they are not good photographers. I mean how many of you know how to use DOS? Probably few unless you've been a computer geek like me your entire life. So if you look at the above image, the 12th ad down is very basic it simply says "Wedding and Engagement Photography". I tell you why this is attractive to me. It is straight and to the point, no frills, not trying to suck you in with a catchy title. This person is confidant in what they are doing, no gimmicks. When you click on the ad this is what you see (Minus the blurred areas).
Very basic, no images, but again that is OK. The first blurred area is the craigslist email address. The second is this person's website address, and the third is their phone number. The last two are instant positives in my book, and here is why:
1) An actual custom website address is only $10 to register for a year, and come with one custom email address. Now that's not a website, just the name. But you can make a free website or blog display your custom URL for no cost. Blog sites such as Blogger by Google do this. So you can look professional quickly.
2) Phone number! This person wants you to call, they are begging for your business and they are not hiding behind the internet to sale you. Call them and talk to a real live person right now! I stick my phone number everywhere I can. I want my customers to call me. It's a business I don't screen my calls! And neither does this person apparently.
OK, other positives. Pricing is right there. $300 for all day wedding and images, $100 to book and hold your date, $100 for engagement. If you want bridals too I bet they'd be $100 also. So that brings your total to...........drum role..............$500! Boom right on budget! OK but what about work quality I mean we haven't even looked at their website yet.
Before we get there I will tell you why I felt confident even before I clicked over to their site. They mentioned they had a flash. They also listed specific models, but don't worry about that right now. They have flash, and are not scared to use it! Remember my previous post about
what to ask a wedding photographer? Flash is necessary at almost every single wedding. It is technically a more advanced photographic skill to learn. This person is facing it, learning it, and is not scared of it. Great!
So I clicked through (No I'm not showing their site...this is my space and I'm doing enough free advertising for them here already!) and yep, their images are good. they show technical proficiency, and some artistic style. It is obvious they have room to grow and are learning, but overall they are good. At this juncture if I were that bride with just a $500 budget I'd be blowing this photographers phone up!
So what are the downsides to budget photography? I'll run through a few because everything in life is a trade off.
1) No back-up gear. You are just going to have to risk it. Photographers that fall into this realm are just starting out and the idea of owning a second camera body is overwhelming due to cost.
2) One photographer. You are not going to get two shooters for that price; just ain't happening.
3) Inexperience. They are probably not as familiar with the flow of a wedding as a seasoned pro. Expect delays to set-up for portraits, give them some extra time to make sure they know where to be and to get there for important shots like cake cutting, bouquet toss, etc.
4) Lack of creative and strong compositions. Expect a lot of snapshot style images inter mixed with some really good ones. Part of growing as a wedding shooter is learning how to compose strong images over an 8 hour day. It is mentally taxing, and it just has to be learned, there is no book on how to.
5) Uh, creative post processing. A lot of new photographers will over do it in Photoshop trying to make up for a bad picture, or boring picture. Just tell them they don't have to do that.
OK, so what should you discuss with this photographer? Start with the points I put up in my other post, just be aware you have to compromise on these. However, DO NOT COMPROMISE ON A CONTRACT! I don't care if it is written on a napkin, get it in writing from the photographer what you are getting. Discuss honestly the fact that you are on a budget, and they are just starting out and/or growing into wedding photography. Discuss how to make each other's day easier. Discuss lighting, then discuss lighting again, then once more for good measure. Odds are your budget photographer does not have the lenses need to shoot in low light. Don't let them sale you on the idea that they can. You will end up with blurry pictures. Think about having your wedding outside during the day, or n a very bright venue. Ask the photographer to come with you to check out the venue and bring their camera. I'd even go as far as to walk around and let them take photos of me while I'm moving just to make sure they can make a good image under the lighting conditions that will be present on your wedding day. Just approach this as a bit more leg work on your part, and realize you can help this photographer just as much as they want to take your photos. Make it a partnership, and you will get better images.
Now, what to watch out for.
1) Certifications. There are no certifying bodies or licensing bodies for photographers. It means nothing. There are a few in the industry that mean more to other professional photographers then it does our clients.
2) Promises not in writing. They may say, "Oh, I'm just doing this on the side. It's not a real business." Fine private parties engage in contracts everyday of the year. Get it in writing!
3) Pushy sales tactics. It is what it is, I personally don't do business with someone who approaches me with every tired old pushy sales tactic picked up from a 1972 used car salesman. I find it annoying. If they are just starting out then they really have no room to be pushy.
4) 100% payment at contract signing. Unless your wedding is within 30 days don't do this. 50% is the industry standard with the balance due by the wedding date.
5) Bad contact email and phone numbers. Make sure you call to verify the contact phone number and email to do the same before you put a deposit down. I don't want anyone walking off with your money in some kind of internet scam! (These people are not real photographers so don't lump real photogs into that group =) )
Alright, long, wordy, but I hope it helps you budget brides find some good photography. You deserve it! And if you can't find anyone whose style and work you like.....well you may have to cut somewhere else and up your budget for photography!
