Recently I was talking with a friend from the lake who happens to be a photographer. She is attempting to break into the wedding photography business and was asking me all sorts of questions relating to weddings, the wedding industry, and what I looked for in a wedding photographer.
Long story short, this is what I told her: I wouldn't dream of hiring a wedding photographer that didn't have a blog. In fact, I barely looked twice at most photographers websites when I was searching for one...I headed right for the blog. The simple reason behind my logic is that a blog allows a photographer to share his or her most recent work. A website (usually) contains older images and isn't updated as frequently. A blog allows a person to express feelings and his or her personality while a website merely displays contact information.
So what do you think? Would you/did you hire a photographer that didn't have a blog? How beneficial do you think a photographer's blog can be? Discuss. And vote
A pretty picture, found on the pretty blog of bobbi + mike
{Update: 50 total votes. Yes: 33. Not necessarily: 14. Unsure: 3}
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Poll: Necessity of a Potential Photographer's Blog
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16 comments:
I could not agree more. You get to see more of a photographer's work from start to finish of a wedding when you look at their blogs. I am a self-proclaimed photographer's blog stalker.
I also agree. Having a blog means that the photographer is current with technology and trends. With all the photographers out there, you need to be able to stick out in a crowd which means showing a lot of your work. A blog is a perfect place for that!
Wow what a timely topic for me ;o)
I'm in the middle of narrowing the field for our wedding photographer and to be honest, I do take a look at photographer whether or not they blogs but having a blog is a HUGE PLUS for all the reasons you already mentioned and I can easily check back with them by simply adding them to my Google Reader. It's a huge leg up on the competition in any industry if you have a blog. And also just to add to the conversation, I wish all photographers listed at least a price range of what their services. This is crucial for me and other brides planning their own wedding. I don't have a lot of time and it's so helpful... not sure why most don't list this price range. I rely on theknot.com and New York Mag Weddings to get an idea. There are so many options and varieties it's a huge help to know whether or not they are out of my price range. That's my 2 cents!
I wouldn't drop them off the list of possibilites due to a lack of blog, but unless I had someone else really pushing me towards that photog or their photos were just THAT GOOD... I think I would quickly loose interest. The other great thing about a blog is that personality comes through a bit, and lack of personality can be a deal breaker.
Mind if I steal your idea for the photo to sign at the rehearsal dinner? I love the idea & it allows me to use the picture I had initially wanted in large format as well as the apple photo book!
I definitely think it is a must for a photographer to have a blog. It is so helpful. I found mine through a blog and then ended up booking her because of the pictures I saw on hers.
I completely agree with everything you said. When I was narrowing down the field, blogs were one of the most important things to me {behind fabulous photos of course!}. I like that the blog shows a little bit of their personality and you can see how much they enjoy their work. Plus, they sometimes provide fabulous tips and advice for getting the best photos on your big day.
steal away, Kate!!
I love looking at photographer's blogs.I think it does allow them to show off their personality and make a connection to potential clients that a traditional website can't. But a lot of people aren't comfortable with blogs or don't have the time for them. My photographer did not have a blog til after we booked him and he hardly updates the thing. I assume it's not his style which is cool.
I 100% agree with you!!!
I just choose, booked, and paid for my photographer last week and guess how I found her.... HER BLOG!!!!
I stalked her blog for "beautiful images and ideas" for MONTHS before I was engaged and then that was one of the first things I did because she is always busy!!!!!
YOU ARE SOOO RIGHT!!!!!!!
I'm from Australia, and I have to confess I had never looked at a blog before I started planning the wedding. In fact I have really only discovered them post booking most of my vendors.
My photographer I found by word of mouth; wedding magazines was my main source of lists of photographers. I don't know of any photographers in my city that have a blog, it is much less common here.
So, my answer is no I don't think a blog is necessary (but having siad that all the photo blogs you link to are incredible and I m envious - I want engagement photos with Nicole Green too!)
I LOVE updating our photo blog! I also LOVE that it keeps me in contact with our clients!
As a bride, I TOTALLY stalk my wedding photog's blog ... (sheepish look)
I fell in love with my photographer's work through her blog. Check her out: http://rachelwilksphotography.blogspot.com/
Kelly
Ok, so finally let us know, who in the world are you using as your photog?!
I'm with you. The first thing you want to see when looking at a website is that it has been update recently. What better way that a blog? Secondly, a blog allows you to see how consistent there performance is, rather than just the best shots they have taken.
I completely agree!!! My sister, who is currently stationed overseas, is getting married next year, so the rest of us girls (sisters) are starting to do some of her research for her. I've been researching photographers and pretty much just hit the 'x' when I hit a page w/o a blog.
jen: my photographer is nicole green....you should be able to find a link to her site on the right side of my blog!
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