Read this before you hire your Photographer!!!

Having worked with photographers from $500-$5,000 I have to say there are many things to consider when hiring your photographer. With technology on the rise, and DSLR camera's getting cheaper every day, anyone with $300 thinks they can be a photographer. Before you hire a photographer for your next event you should consider a few things.

Do they care about you?

Some people are there for you and some are there to collect a check. Make sure the person you hire is there for you and not the money.

Do they have a style or do they have your style in mind?

Every photographer has their own style/vision. You need to make sure they can look past their vision to see and create your vision. Look at the pictures they have taken in the past. Is the same background used in every baby picture? Are the Bride and Groom looking off and to the right, or directly at the camera in every picture? Is every picture from last year’s prom from overhead and 50 feet away from everybody?

Do you like the person you are hiring?

Your photographer is going to be with you ALL DAY LONG. Rather you are having a wedding, birthday party, prom, or personal photo shoot; you should make sure you like them as a person and not just their work. You can absolutely love the photos a photographer takes, but if you do not like their personality, then you could be miserable during your entire event.

Are you getting what you are paying for?

A $500 photographer CAN be overpriced. If it takes you 6 months to get your photos, you have paid too much. Some other questions to consider when assessing value are: Is there going to be a second shooter? No one can be everywhere at once, but if there are at least 2 people there, you have a better chance of catching every memorable moment. Not to mention you will have pictures from different angles. Are they having fun with it? A lot of professionals get “burned out” and lose their passion for what they do. Make sure their reviews were posted recently. Do they still get excited about every shot they take or do they just move to the next one? Make sure that you are getting what you pay for.

No matter what type of event you are having, you always want to have every lasting memory, and one of the best ways is with photos. Make sure you hire the right person for your event. I hope this helps you make the right decision in the future.

Ipod or not to Ipod that is that question?

      At some point or another every person asks themselves “Why don’t I just hook up my Ipod for my event?” Not all events require a DJ. Yes, you heard me right, a DJ is not always required. I personally have been Entertaining for over 10 years, and have been at events where I have thought to myself “I don’t know why I am here”. There are multiple questions that you can ask yourself to figure out if you need a DJ at your event.

1. What kind of mood do I want to have at my event? (Laid back, Party, Mixed, Either Way…) Every event is different and can be as exciting or boring as you want it to be. If you know the radio/satellite station that most of your guests listen, to then you should have no problem playing music for them and do not need a DJ. At the end of the day, it comes down to your vision.

2. What are the top 3 songs of your guests? As I am assured you know every word to the song in your “hot playlist” on your Ipod, not every ones else at your event will. The guests you have coming may not have the same feelings about those songs as you do. This question links back to the previous, meaning if you are not concerned with your quests then all you need is sound equipment that can be rented at any local audio/video shop for about $300. 

3. Do you want a party? Anyone can play music I.E. an Ipod, but every event has guests from different age groups, styles, social class, etc. There are certain songs that cater to certain people that professional DJ’s will know that other people might not. For instance, People from Alabama love “Sweet Home Alabama.” Where as guest from Ohio love “Hang on Sloopy.”   

4. Do you need an Emcee? Not every DJ is an Emcee, but one thing is for certain, an Ipod cannot make announcements. If you need announcements, such as cake cutting, first dance, presidential speech, sweet 16 car presentation, Introductions… you need a DJ. Your quests should always be informed of the next event. Information is the key to the success to your event.

5. Do you want people to dance? Note every event requires people to dance. Also not everyone wants to dance depending on event, date, and especially time. Most daytime events do not require a DJ, but some do need an Emcee.

If you answered NO to 3 out of 5 of these questions, then most likely you can have a successful event without a DJ. If you answered YES to more than 2 of these questions, then you should consider hiring a professional DJ for your event. The only true person who can answer the question “Ipod or not to Ipod that is the question?” is you!