Posts Tagged Angela Gaeto

From time to time I know I have been guilty of using my blog as an unchallenged forum for voicing my own opinions and maybe sometimes my opinions are not always popular.  In my own defense I would have to argue that the purpose of having a blog is to voice one’s own opinions.  Well in any case something happened that has motivated me to speak once more.  

While attending a gathering of local wedding vendors earlier today I was quite literally shocked beyond words when another professional in my field decided to speak up and encourage all of us to “lower the bar” because (in their words) “this generation of brides does not care about quality”.  Following on the heels of that was “it’s better to have inferior work up (like on your website) than no work at all”.   Honestly, I nearly choked on my lunch and I could see others sitting around me also glowering in disapproval.   

It is my opinion that perpetuating the notion that brides don’t care about quality is very literally the kiss of death to the wedding industry as a whole.  My studio, Dry Heat Photography, is from the school of thought that says “come big or stay home”.  I know for a fact, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that brides and grooms, in all budgets,  most certainly care about quality!  I know something else to be true as well; people respond to the way you treat them, you get what you give.  If I approached my clients with an “I know you don’t really care about this” attitude, I would certainly bet that they would respond in kind by doing exactly what I expected – not caring.  Well folks, let me tell you Rick, Angela, Kristina and I all care very passionately about what we do.  Our goal is to be the best.  What does it mean to be the best?  To us it means to do everything that is necessary to facilitate the best possible experience for our clients and, of course, to create the fantastic, once in a life time, photographs that people come to us for.  I have no doubt, because they tell me directly, that our clients care about quality.

The wedding industry is very specialized and highly competitive.  There are many talented people who earn their living by pursuing their passion, (working their butts off) and giving 100% to the special couples we all care so much about.  There is no room in this field for the disenchanted.

-DeAnna Dimmitt

Dry Heat Photography

Professionalism In Wedding Photography

As a photographer one of the most worrisome things I hear people say is “my so-and-so (fill in the blank – brother, uncle, etc) just got a new camera for Christmas and is going to shoot my wedding”.  Admittedly,  I cringe just a little bit probably like a doctor would if they heard someone say “my brother just got a new scalpel for Christmas and is going to perform my heart surgery”.   The fact of the matter is that wedding photography is a highly specialized field and having a fancy camera does not qualify the user as a professional.  So what qualities define professionalism in photography?  I’ve listed a few below:

#1 Business License – a business license in and of itself does not qualify someone to photograph a wedding, however the lack of a business license would indicate that the person in question is not operating a professional, full time business.

#2 Extensive Portfolio  – The proof, as they say, is in the pudding.  An experienced professional photographer should be able to show you several weddings that they themselves have photographed, ideally in some of the locations you might be considering having your wedding.

#3 Past Client/Vendor Referrals – Anyone can buy an ad in a magazine, put a commercial on TV, or stick a sign in the ground in front of a convenience store trumpeting their virtues, but what you hear from other wedding vendors and past clients is really what you should take to heart.  Since wedding vendors rely on one another to do their jobs correctly they are unlikely to refer someone, especially a photographer, who has caused them problems.  Referrals from other wedding vendors are a good indication of the professional quality of a photographer.  Referrals from past clients are even more important.

#4 Price – There is not necessarily a right or wrong price for photographic services but I would caution you to really do your homework on anyone who is priced significantly below the market average.  Running a photography studio is not an inexpensive endeavor. There is a good deal of overhead involved in operating the business.  A full time photographer relies on their business for their livelihood and that means, in order to be successful, that they are fully committed to their craft.  This is good news for a perspective client because when a wedding photographer is committed to their craft that means they are also committed to you!  A hobbyist, by definition, does not have the same type of vested interest in their photography, is likely to have another job during the week, and can therefore get by with charging very little for their services.

This concludes my thoughts on professionalism.  I hope this information will prove to be insightful and helpful as you are planning your spectacular, once in a lifetime wedding.

Sincerely,

DeAnna Dimmitt

Dry Heat Photography

Wow, three blog posts in one day. I like that!  Here is one more Engagement Session from Angela Gaeto.  This session is at Elena Gallegos Open Space.  Amy and Mark will be tieing the knot in June at the Inn At Rio Rancho and, of course, Angela will shooting the wedding too.