Should I Hire Enchanted Celebrations for My Long Island Wedding Photos?
Screenshot of Enchanted Celebrations Instagram.
Trying to find a Long Island wedding photographer who you can trust to deliver the wedding photos you deserve isn’t easy. Whether you search for the best Long Island wedding photographer on Google, or visit pay-to-advertise wedding vendor sites like The Knot, Wedding Wire, and others, trying to find a photographer who will put you first, can be frustrating.
Because I love photography, it pains me deeply whenever I hear stories about wedding photographers and other vendors who put their financial interests first. My wedding photographer motto is, “Every Bride and Groom Deserve Beautiful Wedding Photos!”
Some may say that as long as I deliver beautiful wedding photos, and put bride’s interests first, I shouldn’t worry about those who don’t. To which I reply, the people in any wedding profession who don’t put their brides first hurt not only their brides, but everyone who works in their profession! Think about it. If a few auto mechanics take advantage of customers, it won’t be long until every honest auto mechanic is unfairly looked upon with suspicion. The same is true in every profession and industry.
Back to Long Island wedding photographers. Even large wedding studios that don’t always put the bride’s interest first, may still have some brides who are happy with their wedding photos. How is this possible? Simple—the freelance photographer the wedding studio subcontracted to photograph the bride’s wedding did a good job. Problem is, the wedding studio uses many photographers, so the chance that each photographer is equally good is a hundred-to-one. Why take chances?
But what about the great wedding photos on the large wedding studios website? Good question. Here’s a better one—which of their photographers shot them? Does the studio even remember who shot what?
Do large wedding studios, and businesses that subcontract wedding services charge less than self-employed Long Island wedding photographers who shoot every wedding themselves? In most cases, the answer is no. You can get a hamburger cooked by Burger King or by the renowned chef, Bobby Flay. If they cost the same, which one would you choose?
Dan, this Long Island wedding photography blog article is depressing! Tell me a true wedding photo story with a happy ending.
A Long Island Wedding Photo Story with a Happy Ending!
Several years ago I got a call from Mike regarding the wedding photos I shot for him 8 years earlier at the Water’s Edge in Centerport—formerly the Thatched Cottage. Turns out their house had burned down. Thankfully, everyone made it out safely. He told me that his wife, Ann, was really sad that their wedding album and all their wedding photos had been destroyed.
I told Mike to hold on for a few minutes while I checked to make sure I had backups of his wedding photos. Though positive I had them—even after 8-years—I wanted to have them in my hand before going further. Guess what? I had all the photos backed up on DVDs, and on two hard drives as well. Even better, because I liked their wedding album so much, I made an identical sample album when I ordered theirs. The only difference was that I went with a black album cover instead of white.
Remembering my motto, “Every Bride and Groom Deserve Beautiful Wedding Photos!” I gave the wedding photo DVD’s, and the costly duplicate wedding album to Mike and Ann, free of charge. Being able to help them was a wonderful feeling—absolutely priceless. It still makes me smile to think about it. Each year since, I photograph Mike and Ann’s beautiful daughters for their Christmas card photos. It’s always great to see them!
So, Should I Hire Enchanted Celebrations for My Long Island Wedding Photos?
That’s up to you. I’ve never met them, or had business with them—so what do I know? Maybe they’re the best thing since sliced bread! Check out the Better Business Bureau, view Yelp Reviews, check out Enchanted Celebrations Careers, read their Indeed Help Wanted Ad — it states that they pay wedding photographers $150 to $600 per day (how much do they want to charge you?) — see their 5-Star reviews on The Knot (Currently, 93% of brides seem to love them—hopefully you won’t be one of the other 7%)—and look at their Wedding Wire reviews—which are very good—97% of the current 471 reviews are positive—sort by ratings to see the other 3%.
Do your own wedding vendor research. Ask friends for recommendations. Consider Caveat Emptor—the principle that the buyer alone is responsible for checking the quality and suitability of goods before a purchase is made.
Personally, I believe every wedding photo studio business should be composed of owner-photographers who shoot each wedding personally. Why? Because my motto is, “Every Bride and Groom Deserve Beautiful Wedding Photos!”
Stay tuned for more Long Island wedding photography blog articles!
“Dan Wagner was the best money spent on our wedding. He was nice, professional and did a great job. He took great candid photos—which I love. Not only did we get every picture he took, but the photos were full size and without any writing on them, and they arrived just a few days after we came back home from our honeymoon. We got to choose many pictures for our album. Because everything was digital, he e-mailed me exactly what the layout of the album would be before it was printed, and I was able to make changes. Our album was the nicest I have seen, and everyone who has seen it wishes they had hired him.”
—Genevieve and William
Every Bride and Groom Deserve Beautiful Wedding Photos!
Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences about Long Island wedding photography in the comment box below. Have a wonderful wedding, and many thanks for visiting my Long Island wedding photographer blog!