| One of the most important days of your life is | | | | Photography is an art, so it's understandable that you |
| approaching--choosing the right wedding photographer | | | | may or may not like the style used by the wedding |
| can be a daunting task! Certainly, you want the | | | | photographer. To make sure you're going to love the |
| highest quality of wedding photographs without going | | | | way your wedding is photographed, request to see a |
| broke. You are looking for a wedding photographer | | | | portfolio featuring their work. |
| who is in tune with your wedding style as you | | | | To make an educated decision, you'll want to view |
| imagine that day. You also want a photographer who | | | | an entire wedding portfolio from start to finish, not |
| is professional, experienced, talented, and a pleasure | | | | the best few photos from many weddings. Ask |
| to work with. | | | | what style the wedding photographer uses. Some |
| Partnering with the right photographer is easy when | | | | photographers tend to like more posed shots while |
| you know what to ask. Start by doing a quick phone | | | | others have what is called a photojournalistic style, |
| interview of each wedding photographer to narrow | | | | which involves more candid shots. |
| down your choices. Find out first if they are available | | | | Ask if he/she likes to use color photos, black and |
| for your wedding day—if they're not, it | | | | whites or a mixture. Also, ask if they use a digital |
| narrows things down immediately. Ask about prices, | | | | camera and retouch the photos to make them black |
| who will be photographing the wedding, what style | | | | and white, or if they use film. |
| of wedding photography they use to shoot weddings | | | | 3) Will They Dress the Part? |
| (black and white, color, posed photos or candid | | | | Your wedding photographer will be spending a lot of |
| shots). | | | | time with you on you on the most important day of |
| After you narrow down your wedding photographer | | | | your life. It's crucial that his or her personality blends |
| choices, you'll want to set up a date to interview the | | | | in, making it a pleasure to have him/her at your side. |
| photographer. In some large companies, the | | | | If the wedding photographer makes you uneasy in a |
| photographer you talk to might not be the one they | | | | short interview then don't hire them for your event! |
| send out for your event. Make sure you interview | | | | No matter how charming he is, you'll want to make |
| the photographer who will actually be at your | | | | sure the wedding photographer will dress the part |
| wedding and see his/her portfolio, in order to | | | | and look professional while taking those important |
| evaluate their style. | | | | photos. |
| You'll also want to find out what happens if the | | | | Finally, ask about any assistants. Ask if you can meet |
| wedding photographer you choose is fired before or | | | | them and ask about how they will dress and conduct |
| right after your wedding date. It will put your mind at | | | | themselves to ensure your wedding goes smoothly. |
| rest if you are assured that your wedding will be | | | | 4) Money and Technical Matters. |
| photographed even if your photographer is no longer | | | | Though you don't want to skimp on wedding photos, |
| with the company and that you will also have access | | | | it is important to make sure this particular |
| to your photos no matter what the hiring status of | | | | photographer isn't going to break your budget. Find |
| the photographer. | | | | out ahead of time about how much it will cost to |
| Be sure to ask these questions when interviewing | | | | have him/her photograph your wedding. |
| the photographer: | | | | You'll want to know how much time you'll be allotted, |
| 1) Experience Level. | | | | and how many rolls of film they'll take during that |
| On the most important day of your life, you want | | | | time. If the wedding photographer uses digital |
| someone who is an expert at wedding photography | | | | cameras, ask how many shots they will take to |
| to preserve your memories in a professional manner. | | | | ensure the event is well-documented. |
| Therefore, it's very important to make sure you ask | | | | Most photographers offer packages that specify a |
| your wedding photographer questions about their | | | | certain amount of pictures for a set fee. If you don't |
| experience. | | | | see a size of photograph that you want, ask if those |
| Is this a job or a hobby for the wedding | | | | packages can be customized to meet your needs. |
| photographer? | | | | You'll also want to ask about the cost of albums and |
| Do they have formal training or education in wedding | | | | copies, since you're probably going to fall in love with |
| photography? | | | | a lot more of the photos than you bargained! |
| You might be tempted to save money by hiring a | | | | Ask about deposit and cancellation policies. In order |
| novice wedding photographer, but do you want | | | | to hold your date, what method of deposit is |
| stunning photos that capture your special day or just | | | | needed? What are the cancellation policies? If the |
| so-so ones? | | | | wedding photographer cancels, will your deposit be |
| Do they frequently photograph weddings? | | | | refunded? |
| Some photographers are better at static and posed | | | | 5) Ask If You Can Get It In Writing! |
| studio photography than action oriented and "on | | | | You'll want a contract to protect you in case you're |
| location" wedding photography. Photographing a | | | | unhappy with the services of your wedding |
| wedding involves capturing spontaneous moments, | | | | photographer. If you end up going to court to settle |
| not just poses, so it's important to have someone | | | | matters, the judge will only be concerned with the |
| who is an expert. | | | | conditions written in the contract. Therefore, it's very |
| Does the wedding photographer use | | | | important to make sure you get all of the details in |
| professional-grade equipment, and do they have | | | | writing. |
| back-up equipment available, just in case? | | | | The contact should include: |
| Have they photographed weddings in your chosen | | | | Expected services, fees, cancellation policy, fee |
| location before? | | | | schedule and all aspects of your photo packages |
| Prior experience in a location gives the wedding | | | | written in detail. |
| photographer an advantage because he'll know ahead | | | | You'll also want their name and address, as well as |
| of time what film, filters or flash he/she might need | | | | your name and address on the contract. Be certain |
| to get the best results. | | | | that the contract has a signature and date for both |
| 2) Ask About Their Portfolio. | | | | of you and that you receive a copy of both sides. |