| Careful research and advance planning can result in | | | | CANDID PHOTOS - The trend today in wedding |
| wonderful photographs of your wedding celebration. | | | | photography is to fewer posed shots and more |
| Although it is a terrific idea to provide single-use | | | | candid pictures. It is important to get an idea of how |
| cameras at each table for guests to take candid | | | | many candid shots the photographer will be shooting |
| shots of the reception, avoid allowing a well-meaning | | | | and how much time he will be spending at the |
| amateur photographer to take the official | | | | reception shooting these pictures. As mentioned |
| photographs. | | | | before, it is also a great idea to provide single-use |
| When selecting and meeting with the photographer, | | | | cameras for these photographs, with the guests at |
| there are critical questions that need to be asked. | | | | the reception. |
| Chances are that you will look at your wedding | | | | COLOR OR BLACK & WHITE - Black and white |
| photos many times during your lifetime and hiring a | | | | wedding photography has come back into vogue. |
| good photographer is one of the most important | | | | Your photographer will need to know whether you |
| choices you will make. | | | | want just color, just black and white, or a |
| PRE-PLANNING - Before meeting with the | | | | combination. |
| photographer, find out if your church or synagogue | | | | PROOFS AND NEGATIVES - Proofs are the |
| has any restrictions involving photographing the | | | | preliminary prints from which the bride and groom will |
| ceremony itself. Prepare a list of "must have" shots. | | | | select the pictures for their albums. Be sure to ask |
| The photographer should be given a list of the | | | | the photographer how many proofs will be taken, |
| members of the wedding party and out-of-town | | | | what size of prints are offered, and how soon after |
| guests. Make sure your photographer understands | | | | the wedding the proofs will be available, and get this |
| the rules and regulations of your church or | | | | in writing. Also, request to see the proofs before |
| synagogue before planning the ceremony shots. | | | | your final payment. The more proofs, the larger the |
| PORTFOLIO - When interviewing photographers, | | | | selection you have to choose from. Depending on |
| make sure you hire a photographer that specializes in | | | | the number of photographs you would like in your |
| weddings. Make sure the photographer you interview | | | | photo album, make sure the photographer will be |
| is the one who will actually be photographing your | | | | taking two to three times the number of prints. Ask |
| wedding. Many large companies have several | | | | the photographer how long he or she keeps the |
| photographers and you need to hire the one you | | | | negatives and if you can purchase them. If you buy |
| interview. Ask to see their work. Most are happy to | | | | the negatives, be prepared to pay a large sum of |
| provide references and it is very important to ask | | | | money for them, because wedding photographers |
| for recent weddings the photographer has | | | | make a profit on the sale of additional prints. It is |
| performed. When checking the references, be sure | | | | becoming more common to have the photographer |
| to ask if the photographer was prompt, cordial, | | | | put your wedding photos on a CD that you can |
| properly dressed and whether he/she performed the | | | | make reprints from. Because of the competition in |
| duties expected. Personal rapport is very important | | | | the business, there are more and more |
| when selecting a photographer. It is recommended to | | | | photographers willing to sell you a complete package. |
| interview at least three different photographers. | | | | Shop around. |
| Comfort and compatibility with your photographer | | | | ALBUMS - Usually three albums are ordered: one for |
| can make or break your wedding day and your | | | | the bride and groom, one for his parents and one for |
| photos. | | | | her parents. There are a large variety of albums that |
| FORMAL PORTRAITS - Many brides have the bridal | | | | very in material, construction, size and price. Decide |
| portrait taken before the wedding day. Others are | | | | on what you would like that fits into your budget. |
| setting aside the tradition of the groom not seeing | | | | Look at albums ready to be delivered or proofs of |
| the bride before the wedding and having their formal | | | | weddings the photographer has recently done to |
| pictures taken at this time, too. Couples whose | | | | decide on your personal style. When comparing |
| ceremony and reception are being held at the same | | | | prices, consider the type of album, the number, size, |
| location often have these photographs taken before | | | | and finish on the photographs that will be in the |
| their guests arrive. If your posed photos will take | | | | album. The bride and groom take care of supplying |
| place at the reception, decide on a time with your | | | | prints to members of their wedding party. If they |
| photographer and make sure everyone in the | | | | are very busy, one set of parents can take over the |
| wedding party knows where and when they should | | | | job. Usually the bride's family gives each member of |
| assemble for them. An engagement photograph, | | | | the bridal party a color photograph of the group. The |
| usually in black and white, was traditionally only of the | | | | attendants should pay for any additional photos they |
| bride, but today it is usually of the engaged couple. | | | | order. |
| These photos are sent to local newspapers, along | | | | CONTRACT - The contract should specify the |
| with information announcing your engagement to the | | | | number and type of pictures to be taken, the time |
| public. Decide if you want a casual setting or a formal | | | | the photographer is to arrive, how long he or she will |
| background for these photographs. To save on | | | | stay, the timetable for delivering the contact sheets |
| studio costs, you can wait until the day of your | | | | or proofs to you, the timetable for delivering the |
| wedding for your formal portrait, avoiding the hassle | | | | finished prints that you order, the type of albums |
| of bringing your gown, headpiece and accessories to | | | | provided, and the cost. |
| the photography studio. | | | | |