Wedding Photographer Archives - Sarah Streets Studios

May 10

8 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing A Wedding Photographer in Brisbane

By Sarah Streets Studios | Wedding Photography | No Comments

When looking for an affordable wedding photographer in Brisbane, it can be easy to fall into the wrong choice. To be sure, look for a photographer who, firstly, understands your needs, and secondly, is capable of capturing amazing moments from your wedding. The photos of your wedding will soon be your only memories of your special day, and you will want to cherish them for a long time. So even if you’re working within a budget, watch out for these 8 common mistakes.

1. Falling for the well-chosen website header or well-compiled portfolio

It is natural for wedding photographers in Brisbane to put only their best shots in their portfolio. Although it is necessary to ask for a portfolio, be more specific and ask to see full wedding albums instead. Looking through complete albums will give you a greater perspective on the quality of photos the photographer can create.

2. Judging by staged and styled shoots instead of real wedding photos

A lot of people get impressed by shoots that are staged and styled without realising that these photos are extremely different from those taken during the actual wedding itself. The major difference between these two photos is that, in creating the former, the photographer can control the various elements that will affect the quality of the resulting photo.

On the other hand, on-site wedding photos are more spontaneous and thus offer better insight into the true skills and capabilities of even the most affordable wedding photographers in Brisbane.

These are the kinds of photos I specialise in. I like to call them documentary-style photos, because they are more natural and emotive compared to staged photos.

3. Getting distracted by all the pretty props and details

A lot of affordable wedding photographers in Brisbane try to distract you with photos of pretty props such as tables, flowers and wishing wells. Dubbed as filler shots, these photos are even sometimes used to distract from the fact that the real photos – the ones of you and your partner – are not that good.

The most important thing to ask when browsing through a photographer’s portfolio is what you really want from your wedding photos. Do you want nice photos of pretty wedding props, or heartwarming and memorable shots of the laughter, the tears of joy and the priceless moments that happen during your special day?

4. Ignoring personality issues

In trying to book an affordable wedding photographer in Brisbane, many couples make the mistake of ignoring warning signs pertaining to the photographer’s personality or attitude.

If you don’t feel comfortable with a photographer, it is best to move on to your next option as this will certainly affect how you feel during your wedding day.

As the wedding photographer – and knowing that I will be with the couple for the entire day – I always make sure I have great rapport with my clients. My 8 years of experience specialising in wedding photography has taught me how to help my clients feel comfortable and relaxed on their big day.

5. Looking only at the price tag

Although price is understandably one of your most pressing concerns when looking for an affordable wedding photographer in Brisbane, don’t let it be your only criteria. It is possible to get a good deal from professional photographers; it just takes a little patience. For my part, all couples who book a wedding album package and pay their booking fee will be entitled to an engagement shoot and a free 8×12 inch print in a ready-to-frame mount that they can hang on their wall.

If you come across an affordable wedding photographer in Brisbane, you may feel like you got a good bargain because they were cheap, but if you get poor-quality photos in exchange, then that’s not really a bargain after all. You are simply getting what you pay for.

6. Getting impressed by the big, flashy, and expensive camera

Many photographers use their cameras as not just a tool but as additional perks to impress their prospective customers. In my experience however, I can tell you that even the biggest, most expensive cameras will not guarantee great-quality photos even if the photographer does not have the necessary skills and training. On the other hand, an experienced professional wedding photographer can make even the simplest camera work to your advantage.

I, for one, use artificial props and external accessories sparingly. In fact, I love being an wedding photographer in Brisbane because our near-perfect weather gives me a lot of natural light to use in my photos. Thus, I only whip out my trusty speed light when it’s really necessary.

7. Shortlisting too many photographers

When considering different photographers, it may be tempting to schedule meet-ups with several of them. However, this can be a long and confusing process, so try your best to keep your shortlist to a limit, preferably three at the maximum. It is also best to meet photographers offering different price ranges. This way, you will be able to compare their work and gauge whether paying more will indeed get you better quality or if you can get the same quality despite hiring an affordable wedding photographer in Brisbane.

8. Not scheduling a meet-up prior to your wedding day

Most importantly, don’t forget to consider how comfortable you feel with the photographer, as this will greatly impact how you feel on your wedding day. The only effective way to do this is to schedule a meet-up. Some couples, especially those who don’t have much time to prepare, choose to skip this step. In my professional opinion, that is a big mistake. In fact, I make it a point to personally meet my clients before the wedding day itself. This gives me a chance to get to know them, understand what they need from their wedding photos, and know what matters most to them, so I can give them photos they will want to cherish for the rest of their lives.

Conclusion

While an affordable wedding photographer in Brisbane may save you money, there are certain mistakes you need to avoid to ensure you get quality photos at an affordable price, rather than simply getting what you pay for. For a wedding photographer that you can rely on to deliver truly beautiful wedding photos, you need an award-winning photographer. Nothing can take the place of long experience, professional training and quality that has been tried and tested. Just because you’re looking for an affordable wedding photographer it doesn’t mean that you need to settle.

Give me, Sarah Streets, a call so we can discuss how we can make your wedding truly memorable.

Apr 05

How to Choose A Brisbane Photographer for Your Wedding

By Sarah Streets Studios | "How To" - Information | No Comments

Your wedding is one of the most important and meaningful days of your life, so it goes without saying, that you will want gorgeous photographs to remember it by. Working as a Brisbane photographer, I meet a lot of couples who are getting married, and I’ve heard from them firsthand how hard it is to find the right wedding suppliers, including a photographer.

As an accredited professional photographer myself, I would like to share with you the right questions to ask when choosing a Brisbane photographer for your wedding.

Are you a professional photographer?

The rise of powerful digital cameras has led to a massive increase in the number of wedding photographers. Nowadays, even basic camera models are equipped with automatic functions that allow practically anyone who can “point and shoot” to produce great quality photos. Unfortunately, not all Brisbane photographers are professional photographers by trade. Many of them are hobbyists with full-time jobs and only shoot weddings during their free time or on weekends. Although you will undoubtedly find real talent among them, many have no formal training in photography, insufficient equipment and no insurance.Movie Fifty Shades Darker (2017)

Thus, ask follow-up questions like:

Do you have Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance?
Will I get a written contract? Your written contract should detail the exact price you are asked to pay and the inclusions of the package you are offered.

Simply put, a great-looking portfolio alone does not guarantee that you will get high-quality professional service on your big day. What you need is a professional Brisbane photographer who is passionate about and devoted to wedding photography, such as myself!

Do you specialise in the style of photography that I want?

I’m sure you are looking for more than photos that simply show what happened at your wedding. Wedding photography is more emotive than other types of photography. Weddings are celebrations of love, and in my professional opinion, the best wedding photos are the ones that really capture these lovely emotions during the big day.

To produce photos like that, professional Brisbane photographers don’t just “point and shoot” and leave the rest to their camera’s auto function and post-processing. To achieve the natural, documentary-style photos that are popular today, we photographers know what to look for, where to find them, and the best moment to press the shutter button. It is also important that your chosen Brisbane photographer knows just how important your wedding really is. This way, they’ll do their best to give you the photos you want.

Can I see whole samples of your wedding photos? Do you have an office or studio where we can meet?

When looking through a photographer’s portfolio, ask to see photos of the entire wedding day, not just snippets. It is natural for photographers to show their prospective clients only their best shots. This is why it is also important to meet the photographer in person, preferably in a real physical office or studio where they have complete wedding samples on hand.

Are you a member of a professional organisation?

If you’re looking for Brisbane photographers, you’ll want someone who is recognised by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography or the AIPP, the membership organisation of choice for professional photographers all over Australia.

The AIPP can help you find the best Brisbane photographer for your wedding in two ways. First, the organisation has set accreditation standards that photographers have to meet. These standards ensure that photographers offering professional services are technically capable of delivering what they promise and have the legal business requirements, appropriate insurance coverage and an adherence to a Code of Professional Practice. So if you want a real professional, just look for the AIPP logo on the photographer’s website or ask them if they are an accredited member.

Second, the AIPP gives out National and State awards to photographers for their outstanding work. I myself have received several awards, which are listed on my website.

How long have you been a wedding photographer? How many weddings have you shot?

Speaking from the perspective of a professional Brisbane photographer, I can assure you that nothing takes the place of real, actual experience. The experience I obtained since I began my profession as a photographer almost 8 years ago is invaluable to me. It’s all those years and all those weddings I’ve had the honor of shooting that has trained me in dealing with all kinds of unexpected situations that arise on the big day.

So in all the weddings I shoot, I make sure that unexpected problems, such as bad weather or poor lighting, do not affect the quality of the photos I deliver. This is why, even though I love making the most out of Brisbane’s natural light, experience has taught me to always have backup equipment on hand.

How many photographers will be there on the day itself? Are you one of them? Do you have backup photographers in case you fall ill? What will you wear during our wedding?

These may seem like minor details but they make a big difference during your wedding. It’s best to have at least two photographers onsite so they can capture different moments and different angles of the wedding. Make sure the photographer that you meet with will be present, and not just some a photographer on staff or a representative. Lastly, wedding photographers should be dressed in smart casual attire and should be clean and professional-looking.

Conclusion

Your wedding is a once in a lifetime event. If your photographer fails to deliver the goods, you won’t get a second chance to do the day over. Consider asking the questions that I have outlined above to ensure your precious lifetime mementos are perfect, right down to the last shot.

If you’re seeking a professional Brisbane photographer who specialises in weddings – and can give you lasting keepsakes that you can hang on your wall and look back on for all the years to come – call me, Sarah Streets, and we’ll schedule a meeting together!