Today we’re back to talk about Comparing Packages & Asking about Your Rights…

Grab a cup of coffee and lets sit down and review those packages!!!

STEP 7: COMPARE THOSE PACKAGES

Knowing the exact dollar amount?  You won’t know what the number will be until you decide what type of coverage you want for your day, how many albums you need and where your photographer is from.  Packages can range well between $500 – $15,000 + on the higher more experienced end of the spectrum.  When you meet with your photographer(s) ask for a general idea of what the investment will be based on the photographer’s standard rate/shooting feee and package.  Additionally ask about the rates for their albums you think you’ll want and the amount of coverage you’re hoping to book them for.  Do you require their services for the day?  or possibly the entire weekend?   Are you getting hitched at a destination location?  All these factors can greatly effect your investment.  Keep in mind the value you seek.  Do you care about experience in the art?  Is it important to you to have more than one photographer?  If so you need to ask how much it is for the additional coverage.  Do you want an engagement session or a newlyweds session?  Are these additional to the packages or included?  Is a second shooter part of the contract?  If not ask about the possibility.  While it’s nice to have a second shooter they’re not always available, be prepared for the  possibility that they may not be if this decision is made later on in the discussions.  Depending on the size of your wedding a third shooter may even be beneficial.  Enabling all angles to be captured from your event.

STEP 8:  WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?  WHAT ARE THE PHOTOGRAPHERS?

READ THOSE CONTRACTS!!!!  Most photographers stipulate in their contracts that they own the rights to all the images taken at the wedding.  Yes!  That includes the ones of you!  What does this mean?  This means that the photographer has the right to use all images promotionally where they choose.  (website, blog, publication submissions, and ads).  Knowing this leads us to the next part…digital proofs.  Most photographers have a policy that you can only share watermarked images or images with their credit on them.  If you want to print the images yourself or order an album from another source, you’ll likely have to buy the rights to the images.

Thank you for coming back!  We’ll be wrapping up this section of WWI next week and then head into some more details of wedding photography and planning!!

AdaLilly Photography