I don't work at Christmas-time; it's family time and my camera sits idle all through December, apart from family photos. But that doesn't mean people don't get married at Christmas- in the last two years I have had to suggest other photographers to three couples who were geting married on 25th December.
My first assumption was that they were probably from non-Christian families, but I was wrong about that… one Catholic couple and two Protestants, and all getting married in Church. Bet none of them ever forget their Anniversaries!
Christmas and Wedding Anniversaries are excellent reasons to give a gift to someone you love, and it puts me in a giving mood, too: so this year, anyone who books their photography with Practicaps Weddings before the end of January will receive a $200 discount on their photography and a digital phopt frame to show off their wedding photos. That's on top of our other free services and discounts, like our free make-up and hairstyling, and our "Second Time Around" package for those who have been married before..
Generally, we shoot about 30 weddings each year. There are still about a dozen days still to be filled in the second half of the year, but wihile apart from a few odd days, most of the first half of 2012 is already booked out. Many other professional photographers are in the same position – Which doesn't mean you should rush out and book just anyone in case you miss out; but it does mean you should be doing your research, including checking out websites and talking to your recently-married friends about the experience they had with their photographers.
The right photographer brings a lot more than technical skill and artistry to your wedding day – they are going to spend more time with you on your special day than anyone else, and the years of experience that they bring with them can make the world of difference – and not just to the photos! Having the "wrong" photographer, on the other hand, can be a disaster.
So – look carefuilly, be sure you really like their photography, make time to meet those whose work you admire to be certain you get on well together, and then get a contract signed to lock in the day. Just don't leave it much longer if 2012 is your year.
Merry Christmas from David and Jean at Practicaps Weddings.