Benton Park Photography Co.

What is the average investment? Complete collections begin at $4900.



here are some things to ask your photographer or to keep in mind while on your quest for what should be one of the most important parts of your wedding day. the dress is worn once. the tux goes back to the rental shop. the cake gets eaten. but your photographs preserve your memories to cherish for a lifetime. that said, hire the best photographer you can afford and don't have regrets.

so, here are some things to consider.

*LOVE the photography. ask to see complete weddings. it is easy for someone to get one good shot from every wedding, however, can your photographer consistently make beautiful and compelling images, strong in emotion and well composed?
*LOVE the photographer. would you hang out with him or her on weekends? the stronger the rapport, the stronger the images. hire someone you like.
*make sure s/he communicates well, responding promptly to any phone calls or emails.
*know what you are getting. see album samples and understand what is included in your package. do you want two photographers covering your day (great to get different angles, coverage of bride and groom getting ready, etc.)? do you want an album? high resolution digital files? online ordering of prints? printed proofs?
*what is the cost of prints afterwards? they are likely more expensive than you expect. professional photographers use professional labs. the photographer's cost for color corrected prints is significantly more than what can be purchased at big box stores, so the retail price ends up being higher as well.
*understand the timeline. when will online galleries be posted? how long does album design take? do i choose photos, does the photographer or do we work together?
*will sales tax be included or is that an additional cost? missouri sales tax laws for photographers are wishy washy, but if a tangible product is included, i.e. album, prints, or even digital files on a CD or DVD, your photographer should be collecting and reporting sales tax to the government. this means he or she is registered with a sales tax ID.
*what kind of equipment does your photographer use? is it professional grade? for canon, that means EOS 5D, and 1D camera bodies with L series lenses. the 20D, 30D and 40D are considered prosumer bodies and are used by many. obviously it is the eye behind the lens that makes the pictures, so a professional camera does not necessary equal a good picture, but it does mean the photographer has made a serious investment in his/her business.
*does s/he have backup gear in case of a malfunction? ideally, every photographer should have two camera bodies and a variety of lenses.
*how are files stored? are they backed up?
*does your photographer have a commercial insurance policy for his/her equipment that includes liability?
*if applicable, does your photographer have a business license. they are required in the city of st. louis.
*in what kind of style are you interested? photojournalism (a focus on candid imagery, with little photographer intervention), traditional (formal, classicly posed portraits), fashion, a combination? what are the strengths of your photographer? many people call themselves photojournalists, but are they able to capture honest emotion well and keep up with the fast pace of undirected events?

lots of things to think about, but it's an important decision. don't have regrets.

prices vary hugely. if you think it's too good to be true, it probably is. however, sometimes when people are just starting out, they are not yet aware of their actual cost, both financially and in terms of time, to photograph a wedding, so it is possible to hire an inexpensive, but solid shooter. just do your research.