Choosing a wedding photographer -- or photographers -- can be one of the most expensive and important components in planning a wedding. In a digital world, what's important, and is it worth the money?
That depends on you how important photography is to you and your fiancé.
According to Eron Laber, one half of Milwaukee's Front Room Photography, 2483 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., more money doesn't necessarily equal a better product. (Editor's note: Front Room Photography is a marketing partner of OnMilwaukee.com, and its wedding-related photos appear throughout this Wedding Guide.)
"There are very expensive traditional photographers out there, but if you're not into traditional photography, then you wouldn't consider it better," says Laber.
But most photographers are expensive for a reason. "A lot of money usually translates into a lot of experience," he says.
Michelle Libby of Studio 32 Photography, 1630 S. 82nd St., agrees. "There are only a few things that last after your wedding day -- hopefully your marriage, but also your video and your photos."
However, cost doesn't dictate the whole story, says Laber. For his firm, which specializes in an artistic style of shooting, it's about all the wedding day experience.
"You have to be able to imagine yourself in the photos that you are seeing, because there are all different kinds of wedding photographers out there -- and none of them are 'the best.' Everyone is different.
"It's as much about the experience as how to photos turn out, so you have to like the person, too."
"It what type of photography you looking for -- fashion, photojournalism, contemporary … It all depends on personality and who you are going to click with," says Libby. She says her firm's work falls primarily into the fashion and documentary styles.
Most high-end photographers in Milwaukee shoot digitally now, and that's not necessarily a negative -- pardon the pun.
"Anyone can do a very good job with either format, and anyone can do a very poor job. It depends on the final treatment."
Laber is talking about the developing and processing of the photos, which is just as important as the quality of camera and that of the photographer.
Libby says she shoots "99 percent digital," but still bring along two funky old cameras to a wedding.
Laber and Libby recommend you ask a potential wedding photographer a few key questions. Like, "Do you make finished prints and albums, or do I have to take care of that myself?"
Front Room, for example, doesn't give its clients the files, but focuses strongly on custom reprints and albums.
"Some photographers don't want to hassle with the end product, for others it's a priority," Laber says. "For us, we take a lot of pride in the finished prints. You can't just take a unretouched file to Walgreens and expect a piece of art."
"Most of the time negatives are released after a period of time," says Libby. "We don't want our images scanned where it looks like we did a poor job."
New trends in wedding photography include engagement sessions and a greater emphasis on albums.
Says Libby, " A big trend is making albums that look like coffee table books. They're more artsy with fewer family formals. (I make) two albums, one for formals and one with pure funk and art."
Both photographers encourage clients to make sure to book photographers very early on in the process. For his firm, Laber is currently booking an entire year ahead. Remember, he suggests, that a photographer, unlike a florist or cake baker, can only do one wedding per day.
Libby's studio only books a finite number of weddings each year, and she is currently making reservations for up to a year and a half in advance.
And consider whether it's worth your money for an individual shooter or for a team. Many photo studios, including Front Room and Studio 32, offer both options.
"If a team is working up to its potential, a single photographer can't provide the same coverage," says Laber. "You can't get a moment and a reaction to the moment that a team can."
That depends on you how important photography is to you and your fiancé.
According to Eron Laber, one half of Milwaukee's Front Room Photography, 2483 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., more money doesn't necessarily equal a better product. (Editor's note: Front Room Photography is a marketing partner of OnMilwaukee.com, and its wedding-related photos appear throughout this Wedding Guide.)
"There are very expensive traditional photographers out there, but if you're not into traditional photography, then you wouldn't consider it better," says Laber.
But most photographers are expensive for a reason. "A lot of money usually translates into a lot of experience," he says.
Michelle Libby of Studio 32 Photography, 1630 S. 82nd St., agrees. "There are only a few things that last after your wedding day -- hopefully your marriage, but also your video and your photos."
However, cost doesn't dictate the whole story, says Laber. For his firm, which specializes in an artistic style of shooting, it's about all the wedding day experience.
"You have to be able to imagine yourself in the photos that you are seeing, because there are all different kinds of wedding photographers out there -- and none of them are 'the best.' Everyone is different.
"It's as much about the experience as how to photos turn out, so you have to like the person, too."
"It what type of photography you looking for -- fashion, photojournalism, contemporary … It all depends on personality and who you are going to click with," says Libby. She says her firm's work falls primarily into the fashion and documentary styles.
Most high-end photographers in Milwaukee shoot digitally now, and that's not necessarily a negative -- pardon the pun.
"Anyone can do a very good job with either format, and anyone can do a very poor job. It depends on the final treatment."
Laber is talking about the developing and processing of the photos, which is just as important as the quality of camera and that of the photographer.
Libby says she shoots "99 percent digital," but still bring along two funky old cameras to a wedding.
Laber and Libby recommend you ask a potential wedding photographer a few key questions. Like, "Do you make finished prints and albums, or do I have to take care of that myself?"
Front Room, for example, doesn't give its clients the files, but focuses strongly on custom reprints and albums.
"Some photographers don't want to hassle with the end product, for others it's a priority," Laber says. "For us, we take a lot of pride in the finished prints. You can't just take a unretouched file to Walgreens and expect a piece of art."
"Most of the time negatives are released after a period of time," says Libby. "We don't want our images scanned where it looks like we did a poor job."
New trends in wedding photography include engagement sessions and a greater emphasis on albums.
Says Libby, " A big trend is making albums that look like coffee table books. They're more artsy with fewer family formals. (I make) two albums, one for formals and one with pure funk and art."
Both photographers encourage clients to make sure to book photographers very early on in the process. For his firm, Laber is currently booking an entire year ahead. Remember, he suggests, that a photographer, unlike a florist or cake baker, can only do one wedding per day.
Libby's studio only books a finite number of weddings each year, and she is currently making reservations for up to a year and a half in advance.
And consider whether it's worth your money for an individual shooter or for a team. Many photo studios, including Front Room and Studio 32, offer both options.
"If a team is working up to its potential, a single photographer can't provide the same coverage," says Laber. "You can't get a moment and a reaction to the moment that a team can."
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
