Photographing a wedding is a very difficult job that comes with serious responsibilities. While there are a number of excellent photographers here in Cairo, many of whom I count as friends, there are a great number of people these days who without proper experience, knowledge or equipment are claiming to be professional wedding photographers who are qualified to document one of the most important days of your life. It’s important that you choose carefully because with wedding photography there are no second chances. You can’t replay your wedding with a better photographer next time. Below are some tips on what to look for and ask for when meeting potential photographers to make sure the person in front of you is fully qualified to photograph your wedding.
It’s very important to carefully examine the portfolio of your photographer. Not everyone has a website in Egypt, but ask the photographer your interviewing to bring examples of his or her work to the meeting. If possible have the photographer bring an example wedding. You’re looking for quality AND consistency. Anyone who shoots 3000 pictures over the course of a day is bound to get a couple of good shots. When you see a whole wedding you get to see if your photographer can really deliver quality shot after shot every wedding. Don’t be afraid to ask for references. Any experienced wedding photographer should be able to put you in touch with past clients that can verify their satisfaction with his or her work. Remember, you can create a website without a camera. It’s not impossible for someone to google a bunch of wedding images and make a fake website claiming that he or she took pictures actually stolen off other web pages or facebook albums. Seeing print examples is also a good way to verify the photographer has more than low resolution photos snatched off the internet. On my blog I like to showcase dozens of images from each wedding showing the story of the day and the consistency of my work. I also show my potential clients a print portfolio when we sit down for our in-person meeting.
Ask your photographer about equipment. You’re not a professional if you don’t have a backup. Period. This isn’t to say someone can’t take great photos without backup equipment. It’s an issue of insurance for you, the client. Equipment malfunctions, especially when you’re shooting all the time. Make sure the photographer you hire has a backup camera, backup flash and backup lenses. If he or she doesn’t have backup equipment you’re taking a major risk. The last thing you want to hear your photographer say to you on your wedding day is “sorry my camera isn’t working for some reason and I haven’t got another one.” At that point there’s nothing you can do and you’ve lost your wedding photos forever. It happens. Don’t let it happen to you. I bring 3 camera bodies, two flashes and six lenses to every wedding I photograph. My gear alone cost me about 100,000 LE. I shoot with professional Canon cameras flashes and lenses to make sure that I deliver to you the highest image quality possible. Like a lot of things, in photography you get what you pay for and on your wedding day pay as much as you can afford to make sure the person coming to photograph your wedding is a true professional. If the price your photographer asks sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Also make sure you get along with your photographer. The last thing you want is a photographer that adds stress to your day. I aim to have an unobtrusive style. While shooting prep I joke around with the bride and makeup artist. I’ve come to know many of Cairo’s top makeup artists through my work. The goal is to make the process go quickly and relax the bride. During formals I like to mix fun shots in with traditional ones to help calm the nerves of the couple right before they go in to the reception. I remember one time I was waiting for a bride and I saw some baguettes being sold in the lobby and so I bought a pair. I found the bride a bit stressed and told her I brought her a wedding gift. I took out the baguettes and had her and her husband have a sword fight with them. She had a great time and calmed right down. A wedding photographer has more responsibilities than taking pictures. A good wedding photographer understands the psychology and stress of weddings and knows how to help his or her clients manage the difficulties of the day to make it as enjoyable as possible. A wedding is supposed to be fun. Make sure your photographer understands that so your photography doesn’t become a chore. You should enjoy it.
Even if you choose to go with another photographer I’m happy to sit down with you and offer advice on who to choose and what to look for. You’re inexperienced. You probably only do this once. I do this at least once a week. Please email me (timothy@timothykaldas.com) to set up a meeting. My hope is that whether it be with me or someone else that everyone gets beautiful wedding photos and has a positive experience. Weddings are joyous occasions. Make sure you enjoy your’s and have photos that will allow you to relive the memory in the years to come.
Best,
Tim
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