| You've set the date, booked the Church and the | | | | what type of lighting they will use. A good |
| Reception Hall, and now it's time to select your | | | | photographer will be able to set up portable studio |
| photographer. Whatever you do, don't fall into the | | | | strobe lighting for any formal shots indoors |
| trap that some unfortunate Bride and Grooms do by | | | | throughout the day. On camera flash for indoor |
| enlisting a friend or relative to take their wedding | | | | formal shots will not provide the results that you |
| photographs. Remember, this is a once in a lifetime | | | | would expect when hiring a professional. |
| event that can't be repeated, and unless the person | | | | Ask if the photographer is a member of any |
| you've selected to capture your special memories is | | | | professional photographic organizations. This can tell |
| photographing weddings every week, chances are | | | | you right away if the photographer that you are |
| pretty good they simply don't have the expertise or | | | | dealing with is reputable. Most photographic |
| equipment to do the job properly. You've already | | | | organizations that professional photographers are |
| spent a fortune on your dress, the flowers, the | | | | members of will require the photographer pass a |
| banquet hall, and everything else that makes the day | | | | stringent test and adhere to guidelines in order to |
| so special, so it simply does not make sense to not | | | | become a member. They also require that the |
| get a professional photographer to look after your | | | | photographer abide to a list of proper business |
| photographic needs for the day. If a friend or relative | | | | practices. Reputable photographic organizations include |
| offers their services to you as their photographer, | | | | the PPA (Professional Photographers of America), |
| and unless they have wedding photography | | | | WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers |
| experience, it is best to use them only as a "second | | | | International), PPOC (Professional Photographers of |
| photographer" on the day of the wedding. By | | | | Canada). And don't forget, just because a |
| "second photographer", I mean a photographer that | | | | photographer may specialize in commercial or fashion |
| stays in the background and simply shoots candid | | | | photography, it does not mean that they can handle |
| shots throughout the day. That way you won't be | | | | the riggers and stress of a wedding shoot. It is |
| ruining a friendship if the shots don't turn out as you | | | | important that the photographer that you select is a |
| had hoped. By hiring a professional, one who does | | | | specialist in weddings. |
| wedding photography for a living, you know you'll get | | | | An experienced photographer will have backup |
| great keepsakes of your wedding day. Plus, the | | | | equipment for every piece of gear that they own. |
| pressure will be off your friend or relative to "deliver | | | | This includes cameras, lenses, flashes, strobe lighting. |
| the goods". | | | | The last thing that you want to hear on your |
| If you haven't started looking around for a | | | | wedding day is that there is something wrong with |
| photographer at least a year in advance of your | | | | the camera and they don't have another one with |
| wedding day, you should do so as soon as possible. | | | | them! |
| As a general rule, you should begin your search | | | | If your photographer works with an assistant, it will |
| anywhere from ten to sixteen months prior to the | | | | save you time and energy on your wedding day. A |
| date. Why so early? The best photographers book | | | | good assistant will fix dresses, speed things up with |
| up early, and since they can only shoot one wedding | | | | lighting setups, and even help the Bride with her |
| a day, once they are booked, that day is gone. | | | | dress and flowers when moving from location to |
| Before visiting a photographer, it's a good idea to sit | | | | location. |
| down with your better half and decide on what you | | | | If you are dealing with a large photo studio, they |
| would like in the way of photographs on your | | | | may have several different photographers on staff |
| wedding day. | | | | who shoot weddings. Be sure to see the work of |
| One of the first things to consider is the style of | | | | the photographer that will be shooting your wedding |
| photography. Do you prefer candid shots (completely | | | | and meet with that person prior to booking. You |
| unposed with no direction from the photographer), | | | | don't want any surprises on the day of the wedding! |
| the more traditional photography (where the | | | | Depending upon the type of wedding that you are |
| photographer controls everything from posing to | | | | having, you may want to check on how the |
| lighting), the uncandid candid (where the | | | | photographer that will be shooting your wedding will |
| photographer has made the pose look natural, so | | | | be attired. Some photographers may feel that they |
| that it looks completely unposed, or almost candid), | | | | can shoot your wedding in shorts and a T-shirt! This |
| or a combination of all styles? It is very important | | | | might be fine for some types of weddings, but if |
| that you are clear with your photographer about | | | | you are planning a formal affair, do you really want |
| which style of photography that you prefer, | | | | your photographer dressed casually? |
| otherwise you may be disappointed in the results. | | | | Unless you have a specific location in mind for |
| When visiting various photographers, be sure to see | | | | wedding pictures, it is always a good idea to ask the |
| works from a complete wedding, rather than samples | | | | various photographers you visit about the venues |
| from many weddings. This will give you a good idea | | | | they prefer for photos. Since this location will be used |
| of the style of photography that the photographer | | | | as the backdrop for the majority of your photos, it is |
| prefers, as well as a good indication of the | | | | very important that you love the setting. Look at |
| photographer's talents and expertise in lighting. | | | | samples of the spot in the photographer's sample |
| The next step in your journey of selecting a | | | | book, then visit the location in person. It is an |
| photographer is to know how much you would like | | | | excellent idea to visit the recommended site about a |
| to spend on the photography coverage of your | | | | year in advance of your wedding date. Why so |
| wedding. Questions that you should ask yourself are: | | | | early? The answer is simple. It will give you a good |
| How long will I need the photographer for on the day | | | | idea of how your outdoor location will look on your |
| of the wedding (often times you can save money by | | | | wedding day. You'll see how the gardens will be |
| not having the photographer stay for the full | | | | planted and what flowers are out. And if you are |
| reception coverage)? Would I like one or two | | | | able to visit the location on the same day of the |
| photographers providing coverage (a second | | | | week as your wedding will be, you'll see how busy |
| photographer usually concentrates on candid | | | | the venue is, especially if you visit at about the same |
| moments alone, so if you like candid photography, | | | | time as you'll be arriving for your photos. Some spots |
| you should definitely consider having a second | | | | are very popular, so it might be common to see ten |
| photographer---one photographer, no matter how | | | | or more Brides and their entourages at the same |
| experienced, simply can't be in two places at the | | | | location, at the same time. While some venues can |
| same time)? What would I like included in my | | | | accommodate large Bridal crowds, others are simply |
| photography package in the way of prints, wall | | | | too small. If your park is crowded, you may want to |
| portraits, albums, thank you cards? Would I like the | | | | consider another location for pictures. |
| negatives or digital negatives (high resolution image | | | | And don't forget about parking. While finding a |
| files) so that I can do all the printing myself? In | | | | parking place may not be a problem for the Bride and |
| photography, as with any other product or service, | | | | Groom in their chauffeur driven limo, it may pose a |
| you generally get what you pay for. There is usually | | | | problem for family members, the bridal party, and |
| a good reason why one photographer will charge | | | | even the photographer. And last but not least, be |
| more for what appears to basically be the same | | | | sure to get the appropriate permits for use of the |
| thing. There may be hidden costs involved, such as | | | | park. |
| mileage, or number of hours coverage, or limits on | | | | If your photographs are important to you, then be |
| the number of photos taken that day. One | | | | sure to give your photographer sufficient time |
| photographer may have considerably less experience | | | | throughout the day. This is one day in your life that |
| and expertise in photographing weddings. Some | | | | you don't want to be rushed. A good photographer |
| photographers simply charge less because they take | | | | will work with any time frame that they are given, |
| wedding photographs as a part time hobby and work | | | | however, the more time you are able to give the |
| full time at another unrelated job. Ask yourself, do | | | | photographer, the better the results will be. Things |
| you really want to trust your memories to someone | | | | that can easily put you behind schedule on your |
| who does not make their livelihood and stake their | | | | wedding day are: hair and makeup appointments (can |
| reputation on photographing weddings? Decide in | | | | put you an hour behind schedule at the start of the |
| advance how important your wedding photographs | | | | day), service at the Church (it will always start a little |
| are to you, and budget accordingly. When calling | | | | late and run a little long), a receiving line (remember, |
| photographers to make viewing appointments of | | | | the line only moves as fast as the most talkative |
| their work, be sure to ask their price ranges. A | | | | guest), traffic congestion and construction (when |
| reputable photographer will tell you up front their | | | | travelling from location to location), and trying to find |
| price ranges. There is no sense in wasting your time, | | | | missing relatives or members of the bridal party for |
| or the photographer's time for that matter, if their | | | | photos. |
| price range is beyond your budget. | | | | Perhaps the best way to find out about the various |
| When meeting with the various photographers, it is | | | | photographers is to ask friends and acquaintances, |
| important that both you and your fiance attend. | | | | who have recently been married, who they used. |
| Since you both will be working with the photographer | | | | Look at their albums and proofs. If you like their |
| for the good part of the day, it is vitally important | | | | photos, then get the name of the photographer who |
| that you feel relaxed with the person and you both | | | | did the work. A recommendation from someone you |
| like their work. Be sure to ask about their experience | | | | trust is always a good starting point when looking for |
| in photographing weddings. Just like any line of work, | | | | a photographer. |
| it can take a wedding photographer several years of | | | | Be sure to visit several different photographers and |
| shooting weddings before they have mastered the | | | | take a good look at samples of their work. A good |
| art. Keep in mind that a photographer can only shoot | | | | photographer will take an interest in your wedding |
| one wedding a day, and since the majority of | | | | and be asking you a variety of questions about your |
| weddings take place on a Saturday, and most | | | | plans for the day, and offering suggestions to make |
| weddings occur over the same six month period, a | | | | your day go smoothly for you and save you time. |
| photographer with a year of two of experience may | | | | And don't forget to shop around. Selecting a |
| have actually only shot a handful of weddings over a | | | | photographer is not something you should do in a last |
| one or two year period. Be sure to ask them how | | | | minute rush. And remember, like any product or |
| many weddings they have photographed over the | | | | service, you generally get what you pay for, nothing |
| years. If you are planning to have a lot of your | | | | more and nothing less! |
| photographs taken indoors, ask the photographer | | | | |