Recommended By a Friend

Thinking of getting a new car? Want to know a nice restaurant to eat at? Looking for someone to cut your hair? In those and other situations it's common for people to ask their friends for recommendations. And it's usually a good idea, because you can get feedback from people who have already tried something, and chances are if they are your friends they probably have at least somewhat similar tastes.

But I'm always amazed at people who get recommendations on photographers from friends who haven't gotten their pictures back yet. Or even worse, from friends that haven't even had their wedding yet.

Sure, they can tell you how promptly the photographer returns calls or responds to emails, and that is useful feedback. But unless they've gotten married already, they won't be able to tell you what the photographer is like on the actual wedding day. And unless they've gotten their photos back, they won't be able to tell you how they feel about the photos or how promptly the album was done.

By all means get feedback from your friends, because that can be a great way to find a photographer. Just make sure that they are happy with the finished product as well, and that you can look at the photos too because even if your friend loves them, they may or may not be exactly your style. (I'm sure your friends will be happy to show you their photos -- who doesn't like to showoff wedding photos?)

If your friend raves about their photographer, and you've looked at their album and love the photos too, that's the time to make an appointment to see more of the photographer's work.

© 2004-2008 Jacqueline L. Beck. All rights reserved.