What sets YOUR Wedding Photographer apart from the rest?
As a couple about to embark on the lifelong partnership that is a good marriage, you are probably overwhelmed with all of your choices when it comes to your wedding, including who you want to capture it. Most likely, this is also the first time you've considered hiring a professional photographer and are at a loss as how to choose the best one for you. Follow these 3 steps to to make your choice as stress free as can be :
First, you want to look at portfolios and reviews of photographers who specialize in weddings and narrow your choices down to 5 of those photographers whose work you can picture yourself in. Does the work speak to you emotionally? Great! You're onto a nice start!
Second, contact each photographer on your short list. Does that sound daunting? Don't worry, most of us are friendly people who genuinely want to help. When reaching out, whether electronically or by phone, there is some information we need from you to be able to give you an approximate quote. Please include;
the date you plan to be married, the location or locations, approximate guest count expected, size of your bridal party and a little about what you envision your day to be like as well as how you want to display and preserve your memories. It helps to know your budget for your photography as well so we can tailor a quote for you.
3rd, Once you've received the information you have requested, your short list will get even shorter, either because of budget or availability usually. You'll want to actually speak to the remaining photographers you've narrowed down and get a feel for their personality. This is extremely important because you will be spending one of the most important, highly emotional days of your life with this person, you should be comfortable and feel relaxed around them. You are entrusting the way the world will remember your wedding to this person.
It has been said that potential clients like to try to get to know their photographer as much as possible and having a small "About Me" section doesn't come close to telling the whole story. Being a person with high standards and lofty goals, I’ve chosen a difficult but rewarding field that will also serve as my legacy, Destination Wedding Photography. While these traits don't make things easy for me, they are great news for my clients and their Wedding Photography.
Why? Because “calling it in” is never an option for me. I realize that although my next wedding, for me, may be the third one in so many days, for my clients, it is THE ONLY ONE they have anticipated and will experience as their own. I take that responsibility very seriously, doing everything in my power to make their day as perfect as possible. It has never mattered what they paid me, from the days I was starting off and shot my first wedding for the fun of it unttil now and going forward, I will always treat my client's wedding day with the care and respect I would want for my one and only day. I give my absolute all to each and every one of my clients. Every. Single. Time. I’ve worked when I was physically hurt and medically shouldn’t have, torn calf mucsle, grieving a loved one lost the previous day, starving during a 12 hour day with no bathroom break, working outside in 100 degree heat with no water and many other circumstances, all the while remaining 100% present in the day, with a smile on my face and nobody the wiser. I understand the gravity of what I do and put myself aside so I can get it right for those who’ve trusted me with the memories of their big day. It is a commitment that I embrace when I accept a commission to photograph a couple’s wedding day and one I hope always translates with love through the final images my clients receive.
Recently these attributes have gained me some notoriety in my chosen field that has left me humbled and thrilled beyond belief.
I have been accepted into THE most prestigious and exclusive Wedding Photographic Society on the planet, the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers, known to the pros as ISPWP!
What does it mean to be accepted and how does this benefit you as a bride and groom looking to hire their Wedding Photographer? I believe an excerpt from the ISPWP website sums it up perfectly:
“The International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers is an organization of the best wedding photographers in the world. It was created by professional photographers to raise the standards of the wedding photography profession. We are a resource for wedding clients who know they want to hire the best and the brightest for their wedding. We provide assurance and peace of mind that they are hiring the most respected, most ethical, most professional and most talented wedding photographers in the industry. It’s no secret there are many online directories of wedding photographers. Some of them have hundreds, even thousands of photographers. That SOUNDS great because there are so many to choose from! But most of these directories have little or no criteria for membership, they are simply link farms that oftentimes include photographers with zero experience and unknown backgrounds who have simply paid the applicable fee. The International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers (ISPWP) is a rarity among wedding photography organizations. Photographers cannot simply buy an ISPWP membership, they have to earn it. Our requirements are experience, talent, and professionalism. To be accepted, a photographer must have shot at least 50 weddings, submit their portfolio for review, agree to operate under the ISPWP Code of Conduct, and have an ISPWP Sponsor or four references. And THEN they have to be voted in by current members. In short, when you hire an ISPWP Photographer, you are hiring a talented veteran with a track record, recognized by their peers to be at the top of their field, and a passion for creating heirloom images of your wedding.”
So exclusive is it that I’m one of only 9, yes, NINE in the entire state of Florida listed! Now I don’t know exactly how many professional Photographers there are in the entire state of Florida but I do know there are 72 listed on my tiny 2x4 mile island so I’m assuming there are A LOT!
Holy WOW……… me! I’m on cloud nine! (Pun intended)
What an honor be listed among such extraordinary talent!!!
If you’re looking for inspiration and information, whether you are a bride planning your wedding or photographer looking to advance your skill level, you’ll find lots of useful articles and gorgeous, award-winning photographs on their website here: