Lacey Photographic Production

E. Lacey, Jr
Call: 980.613.9611 | Email: Ezelacey@yahoo.com

Lacey Photographic Productions is known for the creative elements that go into each photograph on your special day.  E. Lacey, Jr. believes in painting your wedding portraits with light and unique compositions.   Specializing in small to medium size weddings, there are three packages to choose from. Packages start at $1,200.00.

The 5 P’s to Choosing Your Wedding Photographer

by Michelle R. Kovach, SpiritFire Photography

Your wedding day is one of the greatest days of your life. You have a definite idea of what you want to happen on that day. And your wedding photographer records it all for your enjoyment for decades to come. Let me share with you some basic ideas to help you visualize your ideal photographer. I call these ideas “The 5 P’s.” These P’s are… Pocketbook, Packages, Professionalism, Peers, and Personality.

1. Pocketbook

Every bride has a budget when planning her wedding. Choosing your wedding photographer is the most important decision, next to your groom. The amount of money you have available will go far towards determining the quality of the photographer you can hire as well as what packages you can expect to get.

Wedding photographers can be hired for anywhere between a few hundred dollars and tens of thousands of dollars. In general, amateur and semi-professional photographers are available for under $1000. Because of their knowledge, expertise, and higher quality, most professional wedding photographers set their prices at or above $1000.

The factors to consider in hiring a wedding photographer are the time the photographer is there on the wedding day, number of photographers, shoots prior to the wedding day, as well as the final product – CD’s, prints, enlargements, and albums.

2. Packages

Photographers fall into two camps – those that have you choose “a la carte” and those that offer packages. In general, the “a la carte” photographers have you pay them for their time on the wedding day and then have you pay for only those items you specially want. Everything from engagement and bridal shoots, prints, albums, and everything else carries a separate price. Add up everything and that’s the fee.

The “Package” photographers combine the most popular items that their brides consistently ask for and put them into a variety of prepared packages. Some photographers make their packages rigid and do not allow changes. Others are flexible and allow you to change a package to suit your desires.

This is the shopping part ladies. Assume nothing, ask for everything, and purchase what you want.

3. Professionalism

Amateur, semi-pro, or professional. The choice is yours. Do you have a very limited budget for a photographer? Then finding a quality photographer is going to be hard. I strongly recommend not asking a FWC (friend with a camera) to do your wedding. You will not like the results.

Think of it this way… Most every adult has a driver’s license. Yet these same adults would never think possession of a driver’s license qualifies them to race on the NASCAR circuit. Same with an FWC.

So what do you do if you cannot afford a professional wedding photographer? One solution may be to call a professional photographer and ask them if they know someone breaking into the business that might be available. The professional might be training a young photographer who would be ready and available for less. This mentoring relationship takes a young amateur and turns them into a professional.

What makes for a professional wedding photographer? Dedication, knowledge, and experience practiced over time. Professionals understand your needs and desires; know how to play well with other professionals; and can capture your wedding day dream exactly as you wish it.

4. Peers

Your wedding photographer will be only one of the many professionals at your wedding. Your photographer must be able to work with the other people you have hired. They must be able to interact well with you, your groom, your families, and the guests.

How do you know? Check the photographer’s references and the BBB. Get the opinions from others you have hired about the photographers you are considering. You may be surprised by their answers.

5. Personality

• You have checked your budget to see how much you can spend on a wedding photographer.
• You know what your photographer is going to provide for the money you are spending.
• You have determined the acceptable level of professionalism in your photographer.
• You have checked out the photographer’s references, peers, and even the BBB.

Decision time. What does your heart say? Which photographer is right for you? There is no absolute right answer here. Choose the one that inspires your dream; fills your heart with hope; and is as excited about your wedding day as you are.