Choosing your Photographer

You have worked so hard planning your event, and paying attention to details. The mood/ambience is perfect, the décor is just as you envisioned it should be, your guests are having a fantastic time and the day is everything you wanted it to be. Once your event is over and your pictures are ready to be proofed, you realise that your photographer has not captured the ambience, mood or decor of your event as well as you would have liked/expected.

One of the most important people you will hire for your event is the photographer. A good photographer will capture the story of your day and provide everlasting memories. With so many photographers to choose from, making the right choice can feel overwhelming. When deciding on the right photographer for you, your budget, personality and style should be key factors when making your decision. It is very important that you interview a number of photographers (at least a minimum of 3) before deciding on the right photographer for you.

A good place to start your search is through personal recommendations from friends and family (as their views and opinions will be more closely aligned with yours). Ask your friends/family if you can take a look at pictures taken by the photographer to get a sense of the photographer’s style. It is also important to find out from your friends/family what the photographer’s personality was like, and if they were able to have a good rapport with the photographer. Friends/family would also provide you with a guide of the photographer’s price range, enabling you to assess whether their costs are within your budget.

If you have an event planner, ask them to recommend a number of photographers. Event planners have trusted people that they work very well with. Your planner will need to understand your budget and style to be able to recommend suitable photographers. If you are not using the services of an event planner, you can ask your event co-ordinator for a list of photographers they have worked with in the past. The photographer may have recent pictures of an event that took place at your chosen venue, providing you with the opportunity to see how your event may look.

Another great place to search for photographer is the internet. You can look through different photo galleries on their website to get a feel of the photographer’s style and personality.

Once you have short-listed the photographers you would like to meet with, give them a call in the first instant (if possible). The phone conversation will give you a clearer view of what their price range is and if they are available on the day of your event. This process will help whittle down the photographers further, limiting it to those that meet your needs. Below are some of the key questions you should ask when you meet with a photographer:

Will the person you are meeting with and whose work you have seen, be the person who will cover your event?
Is there an X number of hours for which they contract or are they available until the cake cutting or first dance if for a wedding or for the whole day? A typical day can range from 8 – 10 hours of work.
What is included in your photo session?
What style of photography do they offer e.g. Traditional, Artistic, Reportage, a mix of styles etc?
Do they offer an online proofing or proof album
What are their travel fees, if applicable?
What is their backup plan in case they fall ill or cannot do the work for any other reason?
What is their cancellation policy in the unlikely event you need to postpone or cancel your event?
What is the cost for exceeding the contracted time?

At the end of the respective interviews, you should be able to decide which photographer meets your requirements. Budget, and style are all important considerations, but personality should be top of the list. It is important that you feel comfortable with your photographer, as you will be in direct contact with him/her during and after your event. Pick an experienced, seasoned photographer who instils you with confidence, and whose quality of work and portfolio is detailed and is in line with your personal style.

Finally before you sign the contract, make sure everything you have discussed and agreed upon has been included in the contract.

No more Cookie Cutter Events Please

We strive very hard at Vivienne Tiger to do things differently. We do not claim to be better; we just want to be able to offer a different type of creative service. It is always a bit depressing to me when I attend an event (corporate, wedding, party etc), and come out feeling as if I have attended this event before but hosted by a different host/hostess or organisation.

Your event should reflect your style and individuality and should be different from any other events your guests have or will attend. Include personal touches that are unique to you. For a wedding, your love story can be incorporated into your theme. Table names can be places you have been together; or create a nice cosy area with pictures of the different places you have been together (this is a good conversation starter). For a party, the theme can incorporate elements of your hobby etc. When planning your event, think of where it is taking place, the mood/experience you want your guests to have, and what your guests are going to eat and drink. You can have personalised cocktails to go with your event.

You should also dictate the ambience of your venue. Do not feel obligated to use the chairs and tables that come with your venue. Chairs and tables can be rented from party rental companies. If you want to use chair covers, trendy chair covers can be used instead of white covers with sashes. Your tables can be a mix of round, square and rectangle tables to add an eclectic feel to your event. A mix of bistro tables and lounge sofas can be used to create a cosy atmosphere during cocktails. Put a lot of thought on how you want to dress your tables, the linen you want to use, chinaware and flatware, napkins and chargers. These all add elegance to a table.

Depending on how your food is going to be served, presenting the food in a creative way can also add style to your event. If a buffet, the food stations can be decorated with a lovely flower arrangement and candles to draw attention to it. If a plated service, a good caterer/chef will always present the food in an artistic way.

Your cake table or desert table should also make a statement of its own. The cake table should be decorated nicely and placed in a strategic position where your guests can see it. If you are having a desert table, the deserts should be arranged in such a way that it draws attention. Personalised boxes can be arranged next to it for your guests to fill up and take home as favours.

You do not have to break the bank to achieve a unique and unforgettable event. A little creativity is all you need to make your event different and ‘Wow’ your guests.