Tips and Tricks to Avoid Michigan Wedding Photography Scams
Wedding days are stressful enough, don’t let your photographer add to the pressure. With the recent increase in photography-related scams, it is important that couples take proactive measures in order to ensure their big day goes smoothly. Keep reading to see a detailed list of tasks, organized chronologically for every Michigan wedding planning timeline.
Before Booking
Searching for the perfect photographer for your Michigan wedding can be very challenging, as there are thousands of options out there and no tried-and-true method of choosing the right one. Here are a few things to keep in mind when trying to narrow down your list:
Check social media pages - A reliable photographer should be active on their socials, with lots of evidence of their work. Avoid artists who have very few posts or lack recent content.
Research websites - Not all photographers have websites as some advertise and coordinate all their business through social media, but if you can find a website, look at it thoroughly. Check for example photos, reviews, and legit forms of contact. Reconsider photographers whose websites are very underdeveloped and seem thrown together.
Look at reviews - Whether it’s on Facebook, Google, business websites, or elsewhere, reviews are so important in detecting credibility. Other people are your friends when selecting a photographer. Be cautious about photographers that don’t have many reviews or much variety among their customer feedback.
Reach out - If you’re still unsure about a potential photographer, send them a message! It can be something as simple as “Hi, my fiancé and I are trying to find a photographer for our wedding. We would love to learn more about you and your style!”. This gets a conversation going, which you can use to see if the photographer is a good fit. If they don’t answer you, it’s usually not a great sign. If they seem unfriendly or like they can’t be bothered with your questions, it might be time to reevaluate. First impressions are important, and a good photographer will show they are good with communication from the beginning so you can trust it will last the entire time you’re working with them.
Stick with what you know - If you had a Michigan photographer do your engagement photos, contact them again to inquire about wedding services. You already know each other, so that part is taken care of, and you have pre-built trust that they do a great job of executing your vision!
The ultimate rule in this first step of the process is if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Some red flags to watch out for are amazing photos at an unreasonably low cost, very small portfolios, and huge discounts. Ask to see an entire gallery rather than just one or two really good shots - consistency is key!
While Booking
Do not commit to a photographer without building a contract with them. Some things this necessary step should cover are:
A specific outline of the package you have chosen along with the deliverables it includes
A clause that defines what backup plans the photographer has in place
The photographers detailed contact information
Signatures from both you and the photographer
A contract is meant to protect you and the photographer from any misunderstandings, failure to produce images, and more. Read the contract all the way through to ensure that you are safeguarded and that there are no hidden fees.
Leading Up to the Big Day
Once you’ve found the perfect photographer, it is important to maintain contact with them. This in-between time is important because it leaves room for issues to be identified and solved, if any arise. As you’re chatting with your photographer, look out for anything that seems off and trust your gut. If the vibes aren’t right, it is not too late to find another option.
Check booking periodically - Verifying your date is locked in on your photographer’s calendar is simple but effective. Don’t overdo it (this is not a weekly to-do item), but making sure you’re on the same page every 3 or so months (depending on the length of your engagement) is a good habit to form.
Seek proof of travel accommodations - In addition to your wedding date, you will also want to confirm your photographer’s travel plans. If they are coming from out of town, they will want to have a local place to stay booked and an intended arrival time that works with your wedding schedule (wiggle room is always a plus).
Create a detailed plan - It’s your day and the memories you want captured are what’s important. Make sure your photographer is aware of all the events and activities you have planned and what specific parts of those moments you want to be able to look back on. Encourage them to provide feedback on the best ways to achieve the Michigan wedding photo gallery of your dreams.
Ask the hard questions - Don’t be afraid to be the “What if…?” person. Exploring all scenarios eliminates the element of surprise for you on your big day. Inquiring about things like back-up plans for illnesses, weather, and malfunctioning cameras is absolutely acceptable. You should also seek information on the type of equipment they use and if they have a second shooter if you haven’t done so already.
Provide updates on what you’re looking for - Your style and preferences will likely undergo some changes between when you book your photographer and the day of your wedding. As new ideas present themselves, the initial conversation you had with your photographer might not reflect your current expectations. Whether it’s an artsy pose you found on Pinterest, a fun game you saw on Tik Tok, or a new concept that popped into your head, share it with your photographer. If you find yourself with fresh thoughts constantly, feel free to make a list and reach out with several things to discuss at once.
Involve your wedding planner - If you hired a wedding planner or coordinator, share your photographer’s info with them. They will likely be asking for it anyway for their own purposes, but they can also help you with reaching out. They talk to vendors for a living, so let the professional assist if you’re not sure how to go about communicating with your photographer.
Wedding Week
Now is the time to let your love shine and all of your hard work pay off! Below are some final measures you can take to make sure no photography-related problems come up. You can do these things yourself or delegate them to someone else (it is your week after all!).
Check in one last time - At the start of the week, reach out to confirm everything once and for all. Make sure your photographer is briefed on the specific timeline of the big day (if not already). Take this opportunity to inform them of any last-minute updates and give them the chance to ask questions as well.
Greet them - When your photographer arrives at your Michigan venue, welcome them and give them a quick tour. This may be the first time you’re meeting them in-person, and it’s important that you know and are comfortable with each other. Show them around so they can get a feel for the space and identify key picture locations. Use this time to introduce them to the people in your wedding party, parents and grandparents. Knowing their faces in advance of the ceremony is helpful for them to know who they should capture.
Encourage participation - When a photographer can have fun with the wedding party, talk to grandma about her memories of you and be integrated as a guest at your wedding, people will begin to feel comfortable when the camera is up. They feel like they know this person and trust them. Give your photographer food, water and a place to sit at the reception, this helps them refuel for the continued festivities into the evening. And finally, invite them onto the dance floor. When a photographer can blend in with the crowd, authentic photos are the result.
Using the above information as a guideline, you are unlikely to encounter any photography scams. Putting in the work beforehand is well worth a successful and easygoing Michigan wedding. However, things do still can happen, so if you find yourself in a bind on your big day despite all your efforts, know that there is always a solution. Remember that list you were trying to narrow down? Save it! It is always a good idea to have additional options when it comes to wedding photography because you don’t want to end the day without any keepsakes. Make sure your list has at least a few local artists because these last-minute things don’t allow for travel time. Another list that might be helpful to have handy is family members and friends with special talents. Perhaps your aunt hired a Mid-Michigan photographer and has a great recommendation. Or maybe one of your groomsmen has a local photographer friend. Having an “I know a guy” list is incredibly beneficial when you’re feeling out of luck!