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For me, it's all about their porfolio! If you say you've seen the inexperienced photographer's work and like it, I would definitley keep it in the running. It's all about the finished product... if you like their work, don't count them out simply due to inexperience. One quesiton I asked myself when choosing a photog was I would look at their work and say, "If those were my photos, would I love them?"
What other qualifications does the non experienced shooter have? Has she been a second shooter for a number of weddings? I'm wondering if she has at least experienced a lot of weddings, not necessarily shot them herself, she should be able to handle yours.
Hmmm, that's a tough one - I think I would be torn too! Did you click with the really experienced photographer? Sometimes, a photographer who has a really big name also is extremely booked and busy and may not be able to give you the personal touches you want/need during the planning process and may take a little longer to get you your photos (but I realize I'm making assumptions here and obviously this photographer must be good).
It sounds like you really like the inexperienced one and the only thing holding you back is the lack of experience. Has she done any previous weddings? Can you ask for references/talk to other brides she may have worked with (if you haven't already)? I think other brides' personal experiences are the best way to judge.
Or, if budget isn't an issue, could you have 2 photographers?
Good luck with your decision!!
I think you shou;d judge by the portfolios. A new photog brings a fresh idea and a new perspective to the table, whereas a vet knows what works and what doesn't.
If it makes you feel any better, we went with an inexperienced photographer and absolutely loved the results. We were like you and were able to afford pretty much whatever we may have decided on, but we looked at the entire situation before rushing to spend money needlessly. When we booked our photog, she had done just a couple weddings but we liked what we saw from her and we also clicked with her personality. Our wedding was at the end of the summer and by the time Sept 12 rolled around she had done a wedding nearly every weekend. She was very professional for ours and the pictures were outstanding.
The bonus is that we didn't pay very much for her services. She was with us on the day of for 7 hours and she gave us two DVDs of the our images in their raw form (990 total pictures), which we used to have prints made. She gave us a signed release for printing. We have to make all our own albums and order prints ourselves, but judging by what I have seen photographers charge for these services, we are saving a fortune!
We just had about 400 images of varying sizes printed for $87. I scrapbook and can make an album for us, and we are planning on making blurb books for our parents. I think you won't be sorry if you go with the more expensive photog (as you say, you can afford it) but it makes us feel very satisfied that we got spectacular pictures for a fraction of the cost many couples pay for their wedding day pictures.
While hiring a new photographer isn't without its risks, every photographer starts somewhere!
I would ask for a second shooter, references, and what equipment she will be bringing to the wedding. If she's new, there's a chance she might not have much equipment. She needs a few good lenses, and two cameras. If she has only one camera and drops it, there goes your wedding photography.
If you love her stuff, and click well with her, I'd say go with your gut (and get a good contract!).
Good luck, and congratulations!
We also had a somewhat inexperienced photographer and really liked the results. The only thing though is if you hire a more inexperienced one you might have to put a bit more time into thinking about what shots you want and what you like to make sure they don't forget anything and you do get what you want.
Thanks for all the advice!
Really, we like all three photographers, which is why the choice is so hard. The most experienced one was also great - he took an hour to sit with us and really discussed our wedding with us. Though he is more expensive he is definitely less expensive than some other photographers we've checked out.
As far as portfolios we pretty much like all three equally. They all have a great eye for those small moments that are so hard to catch and don't have too many uber-posed shots.
The less experienced photographer is also throwing in a lot of extras for her smaller fee. She told us she has 2 cameras and 5 lenses and will throw in 2 extra shooters (other photographers include 1 extra shooter). She also doesn't have a set hour limit. She has been doing weddings for a couple years now (I think some of those years somewhat informally), and it seems like she's been ramping up her business lately.
The more experienced guy has that - more experience, it means that if something went really wrong he knows how to work around it faster than others. It sounds like they're all wonderful people with great portfolios. If you do end up with the inexperienced one, just make sure you communicate to her very clearly what kinds of shots you like, who the important people are at your wedding, what details not to forget. I agree with bvig. Good luck! It's a good place to be in though, to have choices =)
if you really like their work, then go for it. I chose someone with less experience and some of the pictures show that. I knew this might be an issue so I asked a close friend with fantastic camera skills to take picture that day of everything and anything she thought I might like. My pro pictures turned out good, put my friends pictures where spectacular.
It's a two way street, that can only be answered by asking TONS of questions to your photographer. On one hand, there could be a guy whom 2 months out the gate has an AMAZING portfolio, however has never dealt with shooting indoors, or outdoors, or large groups, or hasn't work outside his own pace. On the other hand there could be a guy who's been doing all that for 20 years, yet takes horrible and boring photos.
So ask questions about how prepared the person is. :)
- Vic
Ours is a second photographer from a friends wedding (whose pictures we loved) who is just opening their own studio. We're getting a great package (with a 2nd) for less than 1/3 of the "average" price here in town. I have looked through his photos and loved them. I say go with the photographer who will make you the most comfortable & has the best pictures!
Maybe do the e-pics with this new photographer to get a good feel... this way if there are some problems form her inexperience you can find out now than later!
Good luck!
Other things you can consider to help you make the decisions are... if they have backup equipments, who will be their backup if they get sick, etc.
Good luck!
I think you should ask lots of questions - everything you can think of. Equiptment, back up equiptment, different settings, pace, schedule, lighting...
One thing you could do, is have the inexperienced photog do an engagement shoot to see how you work together and how the shots come out. You'll get a better idea of her working style, pace, and directions, and can make a better decision.
Good luck.
As a photographer, this is my first year in the wedding game. I have already shot quite a few, but it was thost first few that believed in me and booked me anyway that I will alway be greatful for. When I'm famous I won't forget them. :)
If you feel like you can trust all three of them, just go with the one you clicked with the best, and whose portfolio really spoke to you. You're in a great position-having three excellent choices!
Most photographers would be nowhere without brides who give them a chance at being the first shooter. Those brides are quite fantastic.
About choosing your photographer, try comparing their works side by side regardless of experience (since you said all 3 were within your budget) and pick the one whose images moves you.
As a photographer myself, I've been doing them for about 2 years... and when I started, someone had to take a chance... I think you should set aside 'what you get' for the price, but answer these questions,
1. do you like their style of photography?
2. does there portfolio reflect what you'd like to have captured during your wedding day?
3. do you 'click' with them, can you see them as part of your day?
then from there you can make the decision....... good luck! I'm glad someone took a chance on me b/c I grew from it.
Rku and photography by Marir make good points, and I'm actually in the boat with both of them -- a new photographer. In my opinion, I think all that experience will translate into you having usable clear shots from every situation that arises during your special day. Depending on this guy's portfolio, there could be some amazing ones to! On the other hand, the inexperienced photogs might get you just AS amazing shots if not even MORE amazing/unique, but possibly fewer to choose from due to some technical inexperience? Personally, I would choose 40 amazing photos over 400 "good" ones if I felt the inexperienced photographer had a better eye to get me those amazing 40 I'll love forever. After that number... you fill your walls with the best of them, your album with the rest, then don't really know what to do with all the others anway?. Just my two cents.
All that being said though, I think two years of shooting weddings is plenty that the "inexperienced" photog should have everything figured out by now. Either way, it doesn't sound like you are taking any huge risks. I agree with the others who say go with the portfolios you love the most!
I think that a huge thing to think about too is the "time limit" I'm not sure what the limits are for your other photogs but when I first started looking I thought 8 hours sounded like a lot of time. But then I realized that with a wedding @ 3:00 and reception from 6-12:00 that wouldn't even include the wedding + the whole reception, not to mention if you want shots of you getting ready. I don't know your schedule or anything but it's something to think about! i also agree that 2 years is a decent amount of wedding experience! Best of luck!! :-)
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First, this is my first post so thanks in advance for the help!
We are getting married in 11 months and have been interviewing photographers for a couple weeks. We have our choice narrowed down to three: one very experienced photographer that works with big names in the city and is also the most expensive; one semi-experienced photography husband and wife team that is slightly cheaper but has a package deal (including some prints we wouldn't get otherwise); and finally a relatively new-to-weddings photographer that was recommended by a friend. We really like what we've seen of the inexperienced photographers work and really clicked with her when we spoke with her. Plus she is less than half of what others will charge, including an album which she'll do at cost.
None of the photographers are out of our budget and I am torn - should we pay up for the most experience? Or should we take a chance on someone who's work we really like but doesn't have the years of experience?
I'd love to save some money and also it would be great to get someone "on the way up" but photography is our biggest priority so I don't want to end up unhappy. Like I said, I definitely like her work that I've seen but just struggling in my decision.
Thanks for letting me vent!