Tips on selecting your wedding photographer in the Czech Republic

For those of you who are still looking for a wedding photographer in the Czech Republic, please read this. I hope it helps make your life easier when selecting your wedding photographer.
–
First off, every professional photographer should have a website in his or her name showcasing their work. Though there are studios that offer wedding photography, they are hard to find in the Czech Republic. I would actively seek out those photographers who use their names as they have a reputation and a brand. Plus some studios can change names over the years and you may never know who you are dealing with.

When you do a google search for example on: ‘wedding photographers in Prague’, you should be presented with various photographers websites. Also, google has a button at the top of the page that allows you to see images from these same hits. This is a great way to screen some of the less than useful websites that tend to crawl up the search results.

What if you are working through an agency that is arranging everything for you, including photographers? Ask them who their photographers are. They should feel comfortable with telling you who the potential photographers are - after all it is a matter of trust! However, if they insist on offering you: Photographer A, or Photographer B, ask them to see a gallery of their images and a complete wedding. If they are experienced, you should be presented with hundreds of images.

If you are working through an agency: what criteria do they use in selecting their photographers and for how long have they been working together? Do you pay the photographers directly? Or does the agency pay them? If they pay the photographer what is the commission they are taking?

Though you should never feel pressured to use only an agency photographer. Some agencies do pick only the best photographers (I regularly work with several wonderful agencies throughout the Czech Republic and you can rest assured that if I recommend them you will be in good hands!) for you to choose. Whereas other agencies select their photographers because they agree to their terms and commission rates - which can be high. When in doubt ask, after all it is your money and you have every right to pick who you feel comfortable with.

Does this photographers images fit your taste, your personality, your style?

No matter how you came across this photographer ask yourself: do these images fit you? Do you get excited when looking at them or do you feel that you are bored by what you see? When you see great wedding photography you will know it. If this photographer does not inspire you then keep looking – after all it is your wedding day! But, if you feel that this photographer is right for you then agree to a meeting.

What if you are out of the country and a consultation is out of the question?

Then ask him or her to arrange a time to chat on line or speak on the phone (or even skype?). After all, a simple phone call is not an unreasonable request - we do it all the time for our international destination weddings!

Once you schedule your time what should you ask?

1. What is his experience? Is he a specialist? Does he consider himself: reportage, traditional, contemporary, or does he like to mix it up depending on the clients taste? Does he photograph group pictures? How does he approach portraits? And what kind of portraits does he offer?

2. Will there be a second photographer or assistant?

3. What packages and services does he offer? What does an extra hour cost?

4. How many pictures do you receive and when? What are the prices for extra prints, for DVD slide shows – if offered?

5. How will your wedding images be presented to you?

6. Can your photographer provide you with simple wedding albums or a custom designed coffee table wedding book? Will he design and make the album / book himself? Or does he outsource it to someone else? How long will this process take?

7. Can you buy (digital) negatives? Or are they included in the package price?

8. Are the prices fixed at time of booking?

9. What does the payment schedule look like? And do they have a contract?

When you feel that you are satisfied with these answers and you feel that you both like the photographer and are comfortable with them the only thing left is to book.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to ask.

All the best,
Kurt