What should I look for when searching for a photographer?

I have compiled some general guidelines to help you select the photographer that’s right for you. There is a great number of possible questions you can ask your photographer. Most professional photographers will provide you with clear explanations about their services prior to any questions even being asked. Many of them have full assortment of packages,  so it is very clear what level of service and final products you should expect.

• There are several keys things that you should look for when meeting with a photographer: The most important atribute a photographer has is his or her personality. This is key. You will be with this person on the most important day of your life. A good photographer will take charge of any situation and turn it into a positive. This is of course related to experience and professionalism and is the second, if not the most important atribute. Photography should be their only profession. There are alot of fly by night photographers who think they can pick up a digital camera and shoot weddings on week-ends. Well we all know what the results will be at the end. Look for weddding photography specialists. Photographers that offer a whole smogasbord of services other than photography should be looked at with a fine toothed comb. Buyer beware as the saying goes. 

• Does he have consistent work?  Meaning, does the work that you see on their website, and in their albums have a consistent flow and feel.   Some photographers get lucky shots here and there, but don't have consistent work.  Upon request, they should be able to show you complete weddings without hesitation.

•  Do you feel a personal connection to the photograher's work?  Can you envision yourself in the photographers work? Is there a compatability between client and photographer? These are tough questions to answer with absolute certainty. A great photograph captures a moment in time and allows others to see a glimpse of that moment and feeling. Real emotion has to be present in order to be captured. Your comfortability factor is important. To have a great creative relationship with your photographer you will need to feel that you can express your identity as a couple. Your personality needs to blend with the photographer you have selected, and by working together you will create truly beautiful images.

• With this in mind you'll want to take great care in selecting a wedding photographer. Many couples underestimate the importance of carefully selecting a good photographer, randomly picking a name from the telephone book, believing that one wedding photographer is as good as the next. Later, when the day they have waited a lifetime for has come and gone, and the pictures are developed, all of the disappointment begins to set in.

• Visit each photographer's website. Carefully review his or her portfolio. Try to concentrate on photos and not on website design, although it will show a certain degree of professionalism. Today anyone can get a beautiful template flash website for a few hundred bucks. Good photographers usually show plenty of their recent work online including full weddings - you will save time by pre-qualifying photographers who have comprehensive online portfolio for possible meeting. Create a list of those photographers. Most important is - see if photographer's work looks appealing to you.
  

•  Your commitment towards a worthwhile investment

PAPILLON STUDIOS

Q. How many photographers will there be at my wedding?

A. We are minimum 2 photographers. Two experienced photographers. ( not an asssistant phohographer ). Unfortunately as much as we like to think the day will go off without a glitch and it usually does, the unexpected sometimes catches us by surprise. If one of us should happen to get into an accident, the other photographer will always continue. For myself it is a piece of mind knowing the client will still get great photographs. Call it a form of insurance. 

Q. How many weddings do you book per year?

A. I book a maximum of 30 weddings per year. This insures that each client receives the very best personalised service and  attention to detail, from beginning to end..

I photograph only 1 wedding per week-end.  This way my focus and undivided attention is dedicated to the wedding couple for the entire day.

Q. How much will it cost to reserve Papillon Studios

A. It really depends on a few factors, such as location and travel expenses, if shooting outside of Montreal.

Generally speaking Montreal Weddings will start at aprox. $4500.00 and out of town weddings at $6000.00  plus travel expenses.

Q. How many photos do you take?
A. When we photograph weddings we do not limit ourselves on the amount of images taken. We take as many photographs as we need to best tell your wedding story.

Q. Are you open to suggestions? 

A. Absolutely. As a matter of fact I encourage it. We will plan the wedding day together. I want to know your likes and dislikes. I want to know what makes you tick. The more I  know the better prepared I will be. In turn the photographs will be will better represent your uniqueness and create emotional memories that you will cherish the rest of your life.

Q. After the wedding how long does it take to see our wedding images?

A. All the images are edited and put into a proof book which usually takes aprox. 6 weeks. They are also posted on a password protected online gallery to be shared with friends and family across the world. Your personal gallery will be online for 4 months. 

 

Q. What kind of equipment do you photograph with?
A. Papillon Studios  uses Canon Digital Professional gear.  We have a variety of high end lenses and cameras and always have back-ups of the most important equipment.  We are constantly  investing in new innovative equipment and software to enable us to give our clients the best we possibly can.

 
Q. Do we get the digital  files?
A. Yes, you will receive all digital files in low-res with your proof book. You will be able to reproduce  quality 5 × 7 prints. The High -Res digital files are available, but that would be determined on a per client/photographer basis. Keep in mind the high-res files are our bread & butter, just the way the negatives were when we were shooting film. 

Q.  How many images will I receive?
A. In general we shoot a minimum of 500 images.

Q. What if it rains?

A. I have a 2500 sq,ft. studio at the clients' disposal at all times. There are also several locations around the city which are always on our radar in case of rain. There is of course is the option of shooting in the rain with numbrellas which could be quite interesting. 

Q. Do  you travel for destination Weddings?

A. Yes, I am available for travel throughout the world.

 Q. Are the images Black and White or Colour?

A. Because we photograph with digital equipment, all our images are initially captured in colour.  We can then convert them into various tones, including B&W and Sepia.

A. We have a convenient and user friendly system to selecting your prints. You simply select the images, size and color or b&w preference in your on line gallery. This allows us to receive your print order through the internet. You will have 4 months to submit your print order on line while your personal gallery is still active. In the case of a digital album where layouts are necessary, we will guide you accordingly to make the process as easy as and convenient as possible.

Q. How long does it take to receive my prints and album?

A.  This will depend of course on which final package you decide. Generally speaking your order will take between 6-8 weeks. If there is a digital album ivolved whereby custom layouts have to be created, it will take a bit longer. We process orders on a first come first serve basis.  Please keep in mind that your order will only be started once it is received in full.

 Q. What is your photography style?
 A. I photograph the day as it evolves in a photojournalistic and unobtrusive style.  I am there to motivate the bride and groom. Your wedding is a direct reflection of your personalities and love for one another. I capture the interaction between you, your family and your friends. Allowing the images to tell the story of your wedding day.

Q. Are personal consultations part of your package?

A. We try to meet several times with our couples as a complimentary service. This gives us the chance to get to know our couples better. We can then reflect their unique personalities in their images.