San Francisco Photography

At Peter Bruce Photo we  tell brides that the number one thing to look for in a wedding photographer is personality”,yes bed side manner I call it”. The photographer is probably the only person you will be with all day. They will be mingling with your friends & family for the whole wedding. They will be photographing everyone and become part of there life for a day. So, when you are meeting them, you are checking them out for comfort. See how you feel around them, are they relaxed. Can you picture them hanging your family & friends? Could they be your friend pretty easily, do they fit with the mold of what your wedding is.This is a really an important component. When they are photographing you, you are apt to feel more comfortable in front of a friend than a “photographer”.

The second and just as important thing  to finding a  photographer is when looking at their work; make sure that you really connect with it. Can you see yourself in those photos, try to envision yourself in the pictures. If this is possible, and they seem like they might ‘fit in’, you may have found someone for you. One important  key here is to understand that we do not all just take photos of people. We all have styles, approaches, & different ways of doing things on the day of your wedding. Make sure you walk through your  day with the photographer you are interviewing, also ask them how they would approach different issues that come up  throughout the day. A professional photographer should have good answers for you on a wide range of topics that you bring up to them. eg, what happens if it rains, where can we shoot?. etc

The last and not least  component is price, yes it always comes down to money. The photographer you choose should fit within your budget, otherwise you might be wasting everyones  time meeting with them. That being said, some brides underestimate the cost of photography in the begining , and have to make adjustments once they see what good photography costs.Some  bridal magazines seem to perpetuate myths about the cost of photography. But in the end, price is a component of the decision, but it should not be the only factor,but one factor. If you find someone who really fits the above, but is $1,000 more than you budgeted, maybe you can cut back on other things in the wedding. After all, the photography lasts forever.

Also all of the above can apply to video, at Belle Wedding video we tell brides the same.

And the only things you have once the cake has been eaten and the dress is stored away are the photo.

Hope this helps and as always, please let me know.

Cheers Peter Bruce

PS… Just a thought, make sure the photographer and or Videographer have Insurance!.