Guest Interviews..

Over the next month or so we are going to have several guests featured on our Blog. We think it is so important to share not only what we do as Coordinators & Designers, but what other people in the industry do as well. We are very, very, excited about the lineup we have in store. We hope that you are equally as excited. Each week we will post 1-2 different interviews. There will be Photographers, Florists, Caterers, DJ's, just to name a few.

To kick off the interviews, this week we feature Pam Bredenkamp, an amazing photographer, and owner of Signature Studio.

Pam has been published in magazines like St. Louis Bride, St. Louis Bride and Groom, Wedding Pages, and has been interviewed for Wedding Pages, Ladue News, and Wedding-Club.com. I first met Pam through ISES and bridal shows. Her happy demeanor and sense of humor makes you want to get to know her. I am glad that I can now call her a friend.

Below is the interview LBE = Lacy Branch Events and SS=Signature Studio's

LBE: Tell us a little bit about your style of photography?

SS: We are a photo-fusion of various styles, a hybrid if you will, of fashion, documentary, photojournalistic and a sprinkle of traditional to taste.


LBE: What do you feel are some important questions couples should ask when they meet with potential Photographers for their Wedding Day?

SS: I think it is important to know your photographer, so you can develop a relationship. One of the best compliments we received was from a couple who had a very whimsical/creative style, who thanked us for really getting to know them and approaching their wedding as if we were old friends.

Another good question is how long have you been in business, do you have errors and omission insurance, backup equipment/plan.

Ask whose Preferred Vendor's list they are on. This says a lot about the integrity and professionalism of the photographer or studio.


LBE: Have you seen any shift or trend changes in Wedding Photography as of late?

SS: I can't speak for the wedding photography industry as a whole, but what I have experienced lately is that couples just want great images. It's not about the quantity of images but the quality of those images. In other words, instead of viewing over 1000+ images our couples would rather view 500ish amazing images.


LBE: What are three points you would like people to know when shopping around for a Photographer?

SS:
1. Don't be afraid to ask for references

2. Ask to view a complete set of images from a previous wedding at your venues. Many times this can be done online with a password.

3. I understand that price does play an important factor when making a decision about any vendor but don't make it the only factor.
The lowest price is not always the best price. A quote I read once and have since adopted; “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low prices is forgotten”. With the exception of your dress and jewelry, your photographs are about the only thing you get to keep from your wedding day; make your investment with a true professional.

LBE: Are all photography studio's created equal?

No, not all photography studios are created equal. Some studio's have a fleet of photographers, who may not know whose wedding they are photographing until 3 weeks (or less) before the wedding. How invested can that photographer be in your wedding? How or when could they have developed a relationship with you? Have you seen this photographers work? Does it match your style? We only do one wedding a day so we can invest as much time required ensuring we understand the events of your day and working with the planner to develop and ensure the timeline is met.


LBE: What is your favorite part of shooting the Wedding Day?

SS: Great question. I have the best job in the world! I just love weddings but my favorite, and I never get to photograph it - my associate does, are those final few moments at the back of the church between the father and the bride just before the doors open and they make their way down the isle. It's such a tender time for both, but we try to focus on the father. This is truly a pivotal moment for him.

LBE: What would you say if someone told you that they were trying to save overall costs by letting "a family friend" shoot their Wedding?

SS: Oh another good question - you are on fire tonight. There are so many ways to answer this question. Usually when this is the case, the couple has a guest list that is way over their budget and has to trim elsewhere. A good rule I read in a magazines was if you wouldn't have the guest over to your house for dinner then they don't need to be invited to the wedding.

My first thought was, unless their "family friend" IS a professional photographer I would reconsider that idea. It may be a very kind jester from their friend but usually not the outcome the couple are expecting. After all, who will create the finished album?

When we are working a wedding show we are approached several times by brides that "had a friend" photograph their wedding asking if there is anything we can do with the images because they are all fuzzy. We try to help them as much as we can but it usually ends up costing the couple more in the long run than if they would have hired a true professional in the first place.

Thanks again Pam for taking time out of your very busy schedule to help us better understand photography.