WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET...

When we shop for products... we know its name, we know the rough price and what it does. We book services like an MOT or a carpet clean and there aren't many big surprises about what they will do, what you get and the cost.

When it comes to Weddings, it's a whoooooooole new experience, you've never done this before, and not just the wedding planning, but also booking a photographer. In fact I reckon a large percentage of people have never booked a professional photographer in any capacity let alone a wedding photographer.

There's always shock for things we've never been involved with or researched before, especially price. Planning a wedding will bring assumptions until we investigate properly. Most know little about the skill of photography, apart from the use of our phones.

I bet you a tenner everyone of my clients would say that with Wedding Photography, you never really see, truly value or appreciate, until AFTER the wedding day. Possibly, that's the problem and when various anxieties kick in about decision making?

Planning your wedding is a big thing! It's one of the biggest expenses in life.

TAKE TIME, DON'T RUSH. ENJOY THE PROCESS. ALLOW YOURSELF TO UNDERSTAND AND BE EDUCATED.

Have you ever taken time to see the high end of photography? THE BEST in the world then down to mr groupon capturing your wedding with 'amazing' photography for ￡100 for the day? It will raise your eyebrows in a good and a bad way.

You take so much time finding the right venue and the right dress and everything else, when it comes to photography why would you give it less time and make a rush decision? Its the only thing you'll have from the day fo memories.

Maybe you rush because its a deal or it's cheap? Or you maybe didn't appreciate photography as much until seeing the results afterwards? Maybe you saw a friends wedding photos and became a little jealous theres was better? What decisions did they make differently? What did they value more or less? Maybe if you had the chance to do it all again, you'd invest more, or research more time into it?

Too many just do a brief google search for a local photographer and then assess on those very few results and make an unrealistic ball park figure. Only the other day a lovely lady rang me and saw a friends photography and was wowed, she didn't know that the level I shoot at, existed becasue she hadn't taken a really good look at what was out there, or rather, WHO ws out there - to the extent of going through the process of canceling their photographer they rushed into booking and booking me instead. I mean... wow... what can isay but thank you to that? BUT it shows a really good example of research being so vital.

Search the area, search out of your area, search high and wide and you'll see a trend on quality, creativity, and experience that all relate to pricing.

It's about finding the right venue, the right dress... and in this case... the right photographer. Forget everything for a minute, who's the person behind the camera? Do you know them? Like them? Even want to get to know them? What qualities are you looking for from them aside of great photography? And what even is great photography? Do you know? Can you tell, or do you need help and advice? I can assure you I am here for you to invest time in you if you invest time in me, allow me to help you and it's a genuine pleasure.

PHOTOGRAPHERS SET THEIR PRICE ON THEIR SKILL, NOT YOUR BUDGET... unfortunately... :)

You cannot assume every photographer is X amount and that they will be amazing. If you do the research, you'll always find like the majority of things in life, the more you pay the better it will be. You get what you pay for... you pay more for the things you truly love and value/appreciate.

￡4.99 wine, vs ￡10... Citroen Vs Audi... Premier Inn Vs a 4* hotel... McDonalds vs 7bone burger... College apprentice carpenter vs 20 year skilled carpenter... just saying...

This is why Trust & confidence is essential rather than rush booking. I have heard so many, no... too many people rush in, and book the first photographer or, a cheap deal rather than research and wished they didn't in the end.

Value comes from what that person specifically does. You have to love their work and their character BECAUSE of what they specifically do. No photographer is the same. There is no other photographer that does EXACTLY what I do and there never will be. So book now! Joke... but no, seriously... do call. :)

HERE FOR YOU!

Professionals in any trade are there to help you - educate about that skill & their particular service. Sure when a plumber fits your bathroom, you don't need to know all the ins and outs, but a photographer... and for your wedding... It is so important you not only understand what someone does but you give them time. Our time and advice is free for you and we are here for you! I am here for you!

It was only the other night I had some lovely calls about photography and we got into conversation and I was able to help them with a number of things. They first asked how much, but both hadn't seen my work. It wouldn't have been any good for them or myself if I just said my price. Firstly they both need to see the photographers work, One can;t love it and the other not care. That just doesn't work with me. It's a team effort.

What did help them and went onto an email enquiry, was to say "have you seen my work? If not, you have to love it first. It doesn't matter how much anyone charges, for anything for your wedding if you don't love what they do... you'll never book them anyway if you don't love their work".

WEB SITES ARE FOR YOU! 30 SECONDS ON A WEB SITE IS NO WHERE NEAR ENOUGH TIME TO SOAK IN WHAT THAT PERSON DOES AND WHY THEY DO IT

Our web sites are designed and built for you. We put in time to show you our uniqueness, so in part, you need to give time to understand what we do and hopefully it helps you.

Meet the person behind that skill... it's a TOTALLY different experience so when you leave a meeting, you leave much more informed to make an educated decision.

I have to say, I don't think I have ever heard one of my clients leave a meeting with me, and not be more excited about what can be achieved with their photography and it's because they aren't a photographer. They don't know about it, they don't know how its done, what I look for, why and how it's all achieved and why I even bother to do this job, you know?

But they do once they book, have their engagement shoot (which is a totally unique experience in itself), have their wedding and see the results. That's when the value kicks in and they truly know they made a good decision with me.

MARKETING AND ADVERTISEMENT TEACHES BUSINESSES...

"your clients or potential clients looking, do not care about you... it's about them. What they want."

(sad face) - it's true. It is about you... but...

We are all clients and customers of someone or a company. And I think we can all put our hand up and say "yes, I don't really care, I just want this service, or want this product... done". BUT, when it's an individuals business much like a hairdresser lets say, whos work you really love and value and have kept going back to for years, it then becomes about relationship. You've had the experience for the first time, you loved it, you learnt from it and now your trust is solid and there is care there. It then becomes about them AND you. You're investing in them, becasue you want to help them and you wish them success.

MY WEB SITE...

If you've yet to spend time on my new web site, there is a section a number have already commented on being so helpful called 'Wedding Photography Tips'. It's there to help you, to understand the industry, and the process of booking a photographer, also what to look out for. If you're engaged and started the planning, do take a look.

You have one shot at this, make the right well informed choice, ask advice, meet people, be 1000% confident in everyone you book. Don't rush! Make sure they are true professionals, experienced and deliver wow results. How can you go wrong?

Genuinely, with passion for my job and so much love for people, I hope that helps...

Nick x

https://www.nickrutterphotography.co.uk/me-and-my-work/wedding-photography-tips