DreamScape Studios AZ

Hello everyone! My wife and I realize that planning a wedding can be a daunting task, with so many questions as to: "who, what, where, are they reliable, are they good, etc?" This is why we have complied this information to help guide you as you make such an important decision.

So you have selected a date and secured a location, now it’s time to find the perfect photographer! Many venues will give you a list of preferred photographers, friends will happily give you names of their photographers, and online resources like Arizona Professional Photographers Association are a great place to start. Be sure to look at the photographers’ web sites and get a sense of their style and see if it moves you.

Finding a photographer that is a member of the Arizona Professional Photographers Association is an added advantage. First, every photographer listed operates a legal business, they are insured, and they all are Professional Photographers in good standing with the Arizona Professional Photographers Association. Several of them have been recognized as being the best wedding photographers in the state. Even more importantly, in the unlikely event that there is a problem, the Arizona Professional Photographer Association will help you resolve your dispute with the member photographer.

So, at this point, call or e-mail your favorites to get a rough idea of their pricing. Our prices are listed up-front so that there are no hidden fees. This is also a great time to see how responsive they are, how friendly they are, and decide if you would like to meet them in person. Narrow your list down to your favorite 3 photographers and set the appointments.

Comparing photographers is very difficult. Comparing different artists is hard enough, then throw in the fact that photographers have different ways of selling their services, and then it can become very complicated! However, there are three main ways photographers sell their services and they each have their own advantages and disadvantages:

1. Selling just the images, you get the negatives or more likely a cd/dvd with all of the digital files. The advantage is that you can take the files to your neighborhood drugstore and get super cheap prints. Also, since the photographer only has to work a few hours on the wedding day, the price for this type of service is usually fairly inexpensive. Unfortunately, the disadvantages are huge, especially if you plan on having a wedding album made. It’s like buying your bridal gown material from Vera Wang. No matter how good of a seamsters you are, you never are going to have a Vera Wang gown. Not only do you not get your album designed by a gifted wedding photographer, many of the finest album companies don’t sell to the general public. So you may be left settling for a less than satisfactory album or having to hire another photographer to complete your album. ( This is our Illusions Package )

2. Photographers Fee and ala carte wedding albums. The advantage is you can hire a photographer for a decent price and after the wedding, save up to purchase your album. The disadvantage is small, as long as you follow this advice. Be sure when you are looking at the sample albums, you ask how much an album like it would cost you. Same album, same number of pages, same number of images. As long as you have a clear idea of your final cost, you won’t be in for any unpleasant surprises when you are ready to buy your album. ( This would be our Visions Package )

3. All inclusive fees, includes a price for the talents of the photographer and a finished album. The advantage is you know your final cost, no ugly surprises. The disadvantage is the price is going to seem high when compared to the other two ways of selling, but it is because there are no hidden costs. You know exactly what you are paying for and what you will receive after your wedding. ( This is our Dream Package )

All three ways can work well for you. Just decide what you really want after the wedding day is over.

When you meet with the photographers, you have a few important things to determine...

Do you like the albums? Not just the quality of the album, but of the actual story being told as you turn the pages. Do the photographs flow or are they grouped in a way that doesn’t make sense? How is the color of the images? Do the skin tones look good or are do they look funky? Most photographers use professional labs or use expensive ink jet printers with archival inks, however some will use cheaper labs or print their own images on inexpensive ink jet printers to save money. Look at the images, if they are posed, do the people look stiff and ridge or do they look natural? Are they posed in a flattering way? If it is a photojournalist image, did it capture the emotion or tell a story? Are the images creative and exciting or boring and uninteresting?

Once you find a great album with great images, you need to determine if the photographer is really someone you want to spend one of your most important days with. Is their personality going to drive you nuts, or are you going to look forward to seeing them on your wedding day? And it is not just on your wedding day that you will be dealing with your photographer, you will be spending time with them after the wedding day while designing your album.

Once you find that perfect photographer, book them! Without a contract and payment, photographers are free to book someone else, and the good ones go fast!