Wedding style in Connecticut is fascinating. Whether you've dreamed of having a wedding in a grand ballroom in the city, a historical Mansion on the Ocean, in the grandeur of a real castle, on a farm, at a vineyard, or at home, you can have it in Connecticut. Once you've decided what your wedding style will be, you'll no doubt want to find a photographer with the ability to capture it all with grace. So, how do you look for a great wedding photographer in Connecticut? There are some obvious answers, but also some that may not be first on your mind that you should also consider. Here you will find some tips and advice that will help you make sure your decisions are solid when you make plans to hire the perfect Connecticut Wedding Photographer.
Longevity...
Connecticut is filled with artists and the fact is that photographers are a dime a dozen. Today it seems that everyone with a digital SLR calls themselves a photographer so it can be tough to distinguish a real pro from a newbie that is just getting their feet wet. You will no doubt hear familiar names when you go in search of the perfect photographer, and rightfully so. Companies that survive year after year have longevity and are in business still today because they understand great customer service and quality products. The fact is that the large majority of new wedding photographers that come into the business only last about five years. So, it is important to go with a name that is proven to perform, but also proven to last. You certainly don't want to risk hundreds or even thousands of dollars on somebody who doesn't have a proven track record, as it is important that they are both in business, and show up when the big day comes around.
That isn't to say that you can't find a newbie photographer to capture the event, but truth be told, it takes a minimum of five years behind a camera for a photographer to be able to understand light and how to work with it in various given situations. I've been photographing weddings for nearly 20 years and I still learn something new every day. 10 years into my career I thought I had a great understanding of light, but now nearly 10 years later, I realize that I had ideas about light back then, but really lacked depth of understanding. A decade of assignments makes a world of difference in a photographers ability to carry out their thoughts onto paper.
Etiquette...
It is important that you and your photographer are on the same page in regards to how the photographer will perform at the wedding. The expectations of couples has changed over the years, yet many photographers can get stuck in a rut and never evolve their style or etiquette. You will want to find a photographer who is passionate about their work and that doesn't just look at your wedding as a job that pays the bills. With that said, you don't want a photographer who is so passionate that they feel the day is about them. This day is about you and your family, and the photographer is there to capture the relationships you hold dear. Today's best photographers have the ability to lend a guiding hand without being pushy.
How will the photographer dress at the event? Will they be voiceterous and annoying or laid back and stealth in their approach? Will they aid in making sure the days events keep with the schedule, or with they take their sweet time for portraits making everything late? These are all questions about etiquette, and it is important to make sure you will enjoy the experience the photographer provides on the wedding day.
Finding Value...
Value is a great word, and no doubt what you should be looking for in a photographer. The worst way to shop for a photographer is to collect price menus and compare them. With photography, you never pay for the paper the image is printed on. A sheet of paper costs about $45 cents wholesale. Instead, you pay for the image that gets exposed onto the paper, the professionalism of the person, along with the experience that the photographer provides. How can it be that a 45 cent piece of paper can cost you $25 - $125 dollars when exposed? The breakdown is simple. The government is taking 40% in small business taxes, the lease or purchase of camera equipment and backup equipment creates a monthly expense, the rent or mortgage of a studio or home office takes a piece, payroll and payroll taxes along with health care for employees is another big chunk, the car the photographer drives to the reception, the gas to power the car, the suit or tux they must wear, business and equipment insurance, maintenance, high powered editing stations, payment on the $200,000 printer that prints the photographs, and the list goes on and on and on...
Simply put, wedding photographers do not get rich photographing weddings. As you can see, they must run a business and that is why so many photographers fail within the first five years. They under price themselves out of business and never get a hold of what it takes because they spin their wheels trying to run the business. You want to avoid the cheap photographer if you can help it because you will no doubt get what you pay for. Connecticut is the richest state in the nation and it is expensive to live here. It is even more expensive to run a small business in Connecticut. So, you will undoubtedly find that the best photographic experiences start around $5000.00 for a wedding photographer in Connecticut and range upwards of $25,000.00 for those who really want the best.
The key is that you want to find a photographer that can deliver on their promise at a price that you can afford. So, never price shop. Instead, you should visit photographers of all price points so that you can fully understand the different options available. Just as all surgeons are not created equal, the same holds true in photography. Just as you would go out of your way to find the best surgeon, certainly of all the events in your life, your wedding should constitute finding the best photographer.
Sales Practices...
Be wary of companies who have hard sales techniques as there is always other options. Make sure you are comfortable with your decision and if you have any questions about the integrity of the company or artist, sleep on it. Never feel forced to book on the spot, and be careful for those who you feel are trying to swindle you.
On the flip side, if you are wowed and know you have found what you are looking for, secure the date. Truth is, there are a LOT of weddings in Connecticut every year, and not that many dates as the Northeast is seasonal. If you are working with a reliable company that you have come to by referral then chances are the date won't be available for long.
Quality of Work
Too many technical details define what quality actually is in the photography industry. It may be the detail of the cameras a photographer uses, it may be the printer their photographs is printed on, or could be a variety of things. It seems that everyone claims to offer the best quality or be the best in the photography world because there is no way to determine what is best. Photography is after all an art. What is one man's masterpiece is another man's trash. Best in photography on the high end is usually defined by awards, client list, credentials, or all of the above.
The only true way to for a photographer to really state they are among the best is if they can back it up with some sort of data that showcases that their work is above par. There are endless competitions for photographers to enter, and the creme always rises to the top. Arguably the most coveted award in the world of wedding photography is the Grand Award of the International Photography Awards held by the organization WPPI or Wedding and Portrait Photographers International. Thousands of entries from the world's most renowned photographers are judged each year by a panel of the world's elite. Winners of this prestigious award are very few and far between, but history shows that few photographers in the northeast manage to place in the top three year after year making their work noticeably unique with defining qualities that are superior.
Another way to define best in class is with a client list. Photographers who are in demand by celebrities obviously have it going on. A combination of style, quality, and personality are almost always present with photographers who photograph Manhattan's social elite. These photographers obviously come with a price tag that is affordable by few, but the feeling of being photographed by the same artist that captures the soul of celebrities, dignitaries, and world leaders is a personal experience that makes the photographs and the experience a prized possession and memory in itself.
But quality has different meanings to different people. If on a tight budget, the best thing you can do is see artists of varying price levels and of varying credentials. Only then can you figure out who's eyes offer the best value for your individual tastes. If you love the images you see, and trust name behind the company you should be safe.
Think Outside the Box...
The difficulty of most Connecticut Weddings is intermediate in regards to professional difficulty. Unlike New York City where photographers must deal with traffic, huge ceilings, dark open spaces, etc... Most Connecticut weddings are smaller in size and lack the difficulties that photographers in other states are up against. With that said, there is still a difference in the eye of a guru vs a newbie for capturing relationships and details.
Connecticut is a charming state, but if you really want the best for your wedding, you may have to look nationally. World class wedding photographers that have that special something are very are few and far between. That isn't to say that there aren't great photographers to be found in Connecticut, but finding one with the credentials and or client list combined is limited to very very few.
Connecticut is a state rich in history with endless options for a special day. The tips provided here are to help couples think beyond price and style, and to consider other aspects of professional wedding photography. The more you know, the better decisions you make, so I hope you find these tips helpful when making your decisions to find the perfect Connecticut Wedding Photographer.
Biography; Charles Maring
Celebrity photographer Charles Maring is among the worlds most famous wedding photographers capturing the weddings that make the headlines. He is a foremost expert in digital photography and among the dream team of International educators, and wedding experts. Charles and his wife Jennifer serve Manhattan, New England, and the world creating inspiring photographs that are published widely. Creators of Together In Style an online wedding talk show, the Maring’Äôs are bringing expert advice to the table from professionals in every area of expertise. Charles divides his professional and person time between his Manhattan and Connecticut homes with his wife Jennifer. Visit Charles’Äô personal web site at www.maringphoto.com to view his photography and learn more.