Photography Questions Answers

How do I pick a good photographer when there are hundreds listed in my area?
Look for a forum / blog that appeals to you.   Narrow it down to a handful and then meet them – either in person or by phone and web.  Or look at their images, read their reviews and then …pull the trigger, right over the phone.   You should like your photographer .  This way you can leave photo making in the photographer’s hands. Not only should you like their images, you should also like them! You’ll be spending many hours with them during your wedding day.   You should feel that you can trust your photographer – in your gut, and also, see if  he or she is responsive to you.  Quick replies to emails, answers the phone, calls back quickly.   Trust and Responsiveness are the two most important qualities, the test market studies tell us.

How many photos do I get?
Photographers should deliver 50-100 photos per hour of coverage.  At CKE we average about 100 / hour usually, but that can vary depending on what there is to shoot, looking through the eyes of your photographer.

I love those photos with the blurry backgrounds.
That is called shallow depth of field or in the biz we call it “Bokeh”  ( BO-kuh ) .  If you like that effect make sure your shooter’s images reflect that.  Tell your shooter you like that.

Every photographer has a different way of editing their images using software …
4 popular choices of editing  are:

•             Clean: lightly processed to appear natural

•             Matte: a low-contrast look similar to vintage film

•             High Contrast: a vibrant look with rich colors that pop

•             Editor’s choice – whatever we think is best for this event’s preservation. ( recommended )

It doesn’t matter which style you go with, as long as you love it!  If you have any doubt, trust your photographer to make the choice for you.

Why is wedding photography so expensive?
Full-time wedding photographers carry over $15,000 worth of wedding gear and often work 60-hour weeks. It takes several days to edit an event.  Insurance, taxes, software, advertising, albums, repair, shipping, and studio expenses, and many other factors have some photographers making less than minimum wage.

How can I make sure I look good in my photos?
There is no real way to make you look better than you look, so you do have to be a realist when it comes to your images.  Brides often tell me “Make me look thin, Curtis” while I am shooting them on their wedding day.   I smile and tell them I will do my best, but you know “Whatever goes in the camera come out as your images”  Relax. Trust your photographer. If you’re relaxed, it’ll come through in your photos.   Leave some room in your schedule so you don’t feel rushed . I recommend a minimum 30 minutes for family and wedding party photos, and an hour for the couple portraits.   We are usually given an hour and must adhere to it strictly at wedding venues, due to cocktail hour and dinner timing constraints.  Get some sleep and drink water the night before and the day of your celebration. Take it easy at the rehearsal dinner. Wedding-day hangovers are not fun.

What is “shoot and burn” photography?
“Shoot and burn” is slang for photographing a celebration and burning it straight to CD without post-processing. It’s usually cheap.   And there is a good reason why. Bad lighting isn’t corrected, distracting elements aren’t removed.

Should we do a “first look”?
Tradition dictates that the groom sees the bride in her gown for the first time as she approaches the altar.  The first look is a chance for wedding couples to see each other before the ceremony.  We stage it and catch the looks on both faces when bride and groom first see each other – all dressed up – on their wedding day.  About 20% of my clients do a first look, and it is getting more and more popular.  Couples get to enjoy their cocktail hour because they got all of the photos out of the way before the wedding.

Do I need a second photographer?
No one needs a second photographer, but 2 shooters can provide you with more images and a different perspective. Many of the top photographers only work with assistants who carry gear and help with lighting.  You can get good results either way.

How far in advance should I book a wedding photographer?
Many photographers book more than a year out.  As it gets closer to your wedding date, it will be harder to book your first-choice photographer.   If your favorite photographer is unavailable on your date, don’t panic. Ask them for recommendations .  They will know someone who is good…and available.

You can Photoshop that, right?
It depends. As a photographer, I want to get everything as perfect as possible in camera. Posing, location scouting, and camera settings can “fix” most things before I shoot.  Many photographers charge for editing in Photoshop, because it can be very time-consuming.

Should I tip my photographer?
 “Tips are never expected but are always appreciated.”   $50 or $100 is usually the amount when we are tipped.  I get tipped about 50% of the time.

Here are common Photography Questions Answers that our clients ask for.

Book Curtis Knight Entertainment for you next event. We have been serving the Boston area with quality entertainment for over 20 years. We are a premier Boston Wedding DJ company serving all of MA. You can easily book your event online and we are happy to answer any questions to make your Wedding, Party, or Mitzvah a smashing success