Finding a wedding photographer can be really difficult and time consuming work. I remember when Julie and I got married. We were engaged in April and set the wedding day in December that year. We didn’t have the bonus of access to the web back then. I must admit that I don’t know how many photographers Julie researched but the one we selected was new to the area and had advertised in our local paper. Knowing the industry now, we were lucky to have a photographer available on the date we wanted. It is possible to get a photographer when your wedding date is close but that can limit your choices significantly.
Today has so many opportunities for customers to check out potential photographers without leaving home. Finding photographers through web searching generates so many options. I think wise photographers will provide pricing information so potential clients can shortlist providers in their budget range. I have found that with many of our clients they have been thankful that we have clearly articulated the prices and some clearly stated they would not meet with photographers who didn’t. The general feel was that they were either very expensive or had a deceptive pricing structure. I wouldn’t want to be tagged like that by prospective clients and lose that business due to lack of transparency.
Sample galleries demonstrating your work are a great benefit and I don’t know how photographers get by without a web presence these days. Modern customers want to be able to make a shortlist based on what they can see of different photographers’ work. This gives them greater confidence when they get to the interview stage. As a photographer it makes it easier as the time together is allowing them to establish if they are comfortable with you. The rapport you develop with a client in that meeting will make or break the deal if they are happy with what they have already seen of your work. I have found our strike rate at interview time is high because we have been transparent and given pricing, package details and sample work for people to see. We also have a blog for further info  that customers can view and check us out with.

I would be interested to hear people’s thoughts on the subject. Especially brides and grooms that have been through the process or even going through it now.

Here’s a image for your enjoyment and you can see more at our blog