Why Is It So Difficult to Compare Wedding Photographers...

Burger King and Taco Bell may be in the same business of fast food, but they don't have the same menu items. While each enterprise sells food - their pricing structures and quality are different and cannot be directly compared. The same holds true for wedding photographers.

With many photographers moving into the digital world, the choices, pricing and especially quality issues become even more confusing. The quality differences alone can change dramatically from photographer to photographer based on the type of equipment used. Digital cameras run the entire gamut from a few hundred dollards for consumer grade models to $10,000 for the top professional brands.

In wedding photography, like any other business, the cost of human labor is one of the most costly components of hte total expense. All of the following items are offered by Grand Rapids photographer Tiberius Images and most wedding photographers. When looking to compare wedding photographers, keep these basics in mind:

1. Engagement photo sessions: Either in the studio or at a location of your choice. This includes an hour photosession and then more time by Tiberius Images at the computer editing the best images.
2. Prep time for your wedding day: Do you want your photographer to test his equipment before showing up on the most important day of your life? We carry backup equipment with us on your big day, just to make sure.
   
3. Time on your wedding day: Many studios include a 4, 6 or 8 hour package for your big day. Just ask yourself, what photo memories are you willing to do without? Grand Rapids photographer Tiberius Images offers full day photo packages that include unlimited time and unlimited photographs on your wedding day.
   
4. Add an Assistant: Some studios may say they will have two photographers there, but more than likely one photographer is better than the other. Or other options include an "assitant" that acts as a "go-fer". Tiberius Images offers the opportunity for a second full time, professional photographer for your wedding day. Click to view work from our professional assistants.
   
5. Editing and Assembling your proof book: Some photographers simply download photographs and present the unedited images to you. When you invest in having beautiful wedding photographs why would you want to see the one's that are only "partially done"? Grand Rapids photographer Tiberius Images spends hours upon hours editing each image that is presented to you.
   
6. Online Proofing and Ordering: Tiberius Images offers a FREE personal website for your wedding photo galleries. This gallery is customized with your information and photographs and includes options to order photographs at your convenience whether in Michigan or California. Click to View a Sample Website.
   
7. Professional Printing: Do you really know where photographs are printed? Most consumers print at major stores like Sams Club, Costco or Wal-mart. I know professional photographers that do this as well!Photos are meant to be viewed and cherished, why take the risk of printing photographs somewhere that may not be up to professional standards? Tiberius Images uses only professionally printed and color balanced printers from the top labs in the USA!
   
8. Wedding Albums: Are you a do it yourself type person or someone without much time for "creative things"? Many studios leave the task of creating your wedding album up to you with little or no help. Grand Rapids photographer Tiberius Images hires a professional graphic design company to layout and assemble your wedding album. Click here to see a sample wedding album.
   
9. Who will you work with: Many studios delegate the task of wedding photography to less experienced photographers that they pay an hourly rate to. Many companies "spring" the person on you 1 week before your wedding. What if you end up not liking the photographer's personality?With Tiberius Images, you can be sure you'll be working with owner Russell Climie or a highly trained associate photographer who you WILL MEET BEFORE YOU HIRE US.

The total wedding package consists of a minimum of 40 hours of work by the studio for each and EVERY client. While the items above explain the variables of time and effort, they do not address the issues of talent, skill, technique or experience level. The time and labor of an experienced professional is more valuable on a per-hour basis than that of a raw beginner or a weekend only hobbiest. These important points will reflect both the asthetic and technical qualityof your wedding photographs. A photographer who uses a $3,000 camera will likely charge more than one who uses a $300 consumer grade camera. Interested in seeing how Grand Rapids photographer Tiberius Images began his career?

While all wedding photographers are in the business of taking pictures at your wedding - THE SIMILARITIES END THERE! There is a wide range in levels of personalized service and in the quality and quantity of your treasured photographs. Asking a wedding photographer on the telephone "how much do you charge?" is like calling a clothing store to ask "how much are your dresses?" In the end, if you don't like the dress or it doesn't fit - it doesn't really matter how much it costs.