We are here with Deva Akman, she is a Wedding and Portrait Photographer.
Today we will talk about Weddings, Photography, trends and how COVID19 affected Weddings.
How did your Photography journey start? How long have you been a Professional Photographer?
During college years I have taken several photography classes, loved doing it and often received compliments for my artistic eye. However, photography was just a hobby till my own wedding. Our wedding photographer’s not meeting our expectations turned into an inspiration for a new carrier in 2012. So it has been 8 years and now Photography is my passion, my purpose so I feel incredibly fortunate to do what I do.
Today we will talk about Weddings, Photography, trends and how COVID19 affected Weddings.
How did your Photography journey start? How long have you been a Professional Photographer?
During college years I have taken several photography classes, loved doing it and often received compliments for my artistic eye. However, photography was just a hobby till my own wedding. Our wedding photographer’s not meeting our expectations turned into an inspiration for a new carrier in 2012. So it has been 8 years and now Photography is my passion, my purpose so I feel incredibly fortunate to do what I do.
What percentage of your business is wedding photography and how many weddings have you photographed so far?
Wedding Photography is about 85% of my business now, and I photographed well over 70 weddings.
What is the trend in wedding business in the recent years? What is the average cost of Wedding?
Couples tend to get married when they are older these days, and they no longer receive much financial help from their families. While they are paying for their own wedding, they want it to be a true reflection of their relationship, with flexibility and less stress. So they are more likely to prefer small weddings and intimate ceremonies.
Several sources indicate that the national average cost for a wedding is around $28,000 (excluding ring and honeymoon), and the national average wedding photography cost is around $2,700
How did quarantine effect weddings this year? Did you have many cancellations?
One of the sayings during this time is “Love is not Cancelled”. I did not have a large number of cancellations, but several weddings were postponed and some were downsized. However, I had portraits and engagement shoots even in April and May. Later the demand for weddings is back.
What is the best way to search for a wedding photographer? What is your advice to the engaged couples?
There are lots of different sources to search for photographers.
Here are some examples.
Wedding Blogs ( I highly recommend www.bellezabrides.com)
Asking a friend who got married recently about her photographers' contact details. (Sometimes they are not willing to share it)
Google and Social Media Search (It may take a long time)
Online Service Providers where you can post your project & budget and have professionals bid for it. (Avoid posting too low of a budget). Remember you are paying for photographer’s experience and expertise. Weddings are once in a lifetime events, with too low of a budget you will not reach the photographers with the proper skill.
Stay away from “One stop shop” Wedding Vendors, like entertainment companies who also provide catering, photography but don’t give you photographer’s info. The same thing is true with large studios that contract out weddings (I cannot stress this enough!) Always have a direct relationship with your photographer before the wedding.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is finding the photographer you click with. Chances are you are going to spend more time with your wedding photographer than with your maid of honor on your wedding day, so you want to make sure you like them. Always be sure to at least interview several photographers.
Whatever the search method you choose, narrow down photographers whose work you like, and also whose philosophy that resonates with you. It is important to set up an in-person meeting or a phone call, facetime or a Skype session. Then you can determine if you like them.
What are the most important questions to ask the wedding photographer before hiring?
1-How many years have you been in business and how many weddings do you shoot annually?
2-If we sign the contract, will you or one of your associates be photographing our wedding?
3-Have you worked at the venues like ours before?
4-What would it be like working with you on our wedding day? How do you approach the day?
5-Are there reviews about you on the web that we can read?
6- What is included in our package? Do we receive high resolution digital images with the rights to reproduce, print and share on social media?
Wedding Photography is about 85% of my business now, and I photographed well over 70 weddings.
What is the trend in wedding business in the recent years? What is the average cost of Wedding?
Couples tend to get married when they are older these days, and they no longer receive much financial help from their families. While they are paying for their own wedding, they want it to be a true reflection of their relationship, with flexibility and less stress. So they are more likely to prefer small weddings and intimate ceremonies.
Several sources indicate that the national average cost for a wedding is around $28,000 (excluding ring and honeymoon), and the national average wedding photography cost is around $2,700
How did quarantine effect weddings this year? Did you have many cancellations?
One of the sayings during this time is “Love is not Cancelled”. I did not have a large number of cancellations, but several weddings were postponed and some were downsized. However, I had portraits and engagement shoots even in April and May. Later the demand for weddings is back.
What is the best way to search for a wedding photographer? What is your advice to the engaged couples?
There are lots of different sources to search for photographers.
Here are some examples.
Wedding Blogs ( I highly recommend www.bellezabrides.com)
Asking a friend who got married recently about her photographers' contact details. (Sometimes they are not willing to share it)
Google and Social Media Search (It may take a long time)
Online Service Providers where you can post your project & budget and have professionals bid for it. (Avoid posting too low of a budget). Remember you are paying for photographer’s experience and expertise. Weddings are once in a lifetime events, with too low of a budget you will not reach the photographers with the proper skill.
Stay away from “One stop shop” Wedding Vendors, like entertainment companies who also provide catering, photography but don’t give you photographer’s info. The same thing is true with large studios that contract out weddings (I cannot stress this enough!) Always have a direct relationship with your photographer before the wedding.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is finding the photographer you click with. Chances are you are going to spend more time with your wedding photographer than with your maid of honor on your wedding day, so you want to make sure you like them. Always be sure to at least interview several photographers.
Whatever the search method you choose, narrow down photographers whose work you like, and also whose philosophy that resonates with you. It is important to set up an in-person meeting or a phone call, facetime or a Skype session. Then you can determine if you like them.
What are the most important questions to ask the wedding photographer before hiring?
1-How many years have you been in business and how many weddings do you shoot annually?
2-If we sign the contract, will you or one of your associates be photographing our wedding?
3-Have you worked at the venues like ours before?
4-What would it be like working with you on our wedding day? How do you approach the day?
5-Are there reviews about you on the web that we can read?
6- What is included in our package? Do we receive high resolution digital images with the rights to reproduce, print and share on social media?
More information about our guest and her work can be reached at www.DevaAkman.com
