Payment Options

This time of year is usually quiet in the portrait and wedding photography business. I use this time to retool and repair equipment, do taxes, recharge my batteries, and do some R&D. I love learning new things - photography related or otherwise.

One of the things I figured out how to do is accept credit cards as a payment option. Yes, I realize credit cards have been around a long time. But working with credit cards is not economical for a small business like mine that doesn't have a lot of point-of-sale business. So I accomplish this via Paypal rather than using a merchant "card swiper." More economical for me, more convenient for you.

Here's how it works. If you would like to pay for your photography services with a credit card, I will email you an invoice containing your total. Simply follow the included instructions on how to pay the invoice online. You do not need a Paypal account to do this; just your credit card. Once you pay, both you and I receive a receipt. Done.

I added the "Paypal Accepted Here" icon to our website to announce this feature. I hope this adds a measure of convenience and security for our customers.

Choosing a Wedding Photographer

If you are looking for a wedding photographer, you are probably overloaded with magazine tips and online advice. I won't repeat those things here. My assertion is the most important thing you can do to ensure great wedding photographs is to select a photographer you "click" with.

Period.

Ok, let me expand on that thought. You will be spending a lot of time with the photographers on your wedding day. (Maybe more than the groom!) Before and after your wedding as well. You must be on the same page, like each others' style, develop trust, and have a good working relationship. The photographers at your cousin's wedding may have been great, but if they rub you the wrong way, it will reflect in your wedding pictures.

If you have ever seen "America's Next Top Model" or "The Shot", all those photographers and models are excellent professionals. But, they each have their own styles, and when model and photographer are not in sync, it shows in the final product. Same thing happens at a wedding except the bride and groom are not professional models, and they are experiencing an emotional day together, and this means hiring a likable photographer is even more important.

You want to hire somebody you don't mind being around.

My advice:

1) Know what you want. Know the kind of pictures you like. Determine the kind of photographer you want: photojournalist or formal-posed? Or maybe a blend? What do you want for a final product? Just the digital files, prints, and/or an album?
2) Narrow your search. Use the web or other references to create a list of 2 or 3 candidates. Price, style, packages and location all factor into this decision. A photographer's website should give you a pretty good idea of their personality.
3) Get personal. Schedule a meeting with each of those candidates. Review materials and sample albums, but most importantly, just talk. Bring a list of questions if you need talking points.
4) Decide. You know better than anyone what's right for you.

We're not trying to be cavalier. Jean and I feel it is one of the most important decisions you will make that day because you will have your photographs long after the flowers have wilted and the cake eaten. We only shoot a handful of weddings a year and we meticulously prepare for each one. Individual attention is our hallmark. If you think we can "click", please give us a call.