| Choosing a photographer may be a daunting task, | | | | 2. Price |
| and staying within your budget may be even more | | | | You can spend anything from $500 to $10,000 on a |
| cumbersome. You may consider asking a friend or | | | | wedding photographer. A good guideline is to spend |
| relative to photograph your wedding for you; this is | | | | about 10% of your entire wedding budget on a |
| sure to be a bad idea for many reasons. A | | | | wedding photographer. Most photographers have |
| professional wedding photographer knows how to | | | | packages that will include everything from the |
| produce the best results in capturing all the moments | | | | coverage to the album and final prints. Other |
| by having years of experience and photography | | | | photographers have complete al la carte pricing; if |
| knowledge. | | | | you are on a tight budget this is probably the best |
| Finding a wedding photographer is a very easy task | | | | way to go. You will be able to select just what you |
| due to the number of photographers out there. | | | | want and can afford. |
| There are numerous ways of going about finding one | | | | I would suggest buying your own wedding album and |
| and many things you should take into consideration. | | | | putting it together yourself. The cost of buying an |
| The best way of course is being referred from | | | | album from the photographer is usually double the |
| another couple that got married recently and had | | | | actual cost. Then of course doing it this way you can |
| their wedding photographed by a specific | | | | get it when you want and when you can afford it. |
| photographer. Please take note that by | | | | Considering style and price select your three top |
| "photographer" I mean a specific photographer and | | | | choices and schedule a meeting with them. There |
| not photographic studio with multiple photographers. | | | | should be no cost for this. Before you meet with |
| Always be sure to find out who will be photographing | | | | them you should pretty much want to hire them |
| your wedding. | | | | from the information that you have gathered about |
| There are numerous other ways to find a wedding | | | | their style and price. |
| photographer including news papers, billboards, the | | | | 3. Personality |
| phone book and of course the internet. Over 70% of | | | | You want to meet with them to see how they |
| wedding photographers are sourced online. There are | | | | present themselves and if your personalities match. |
| however a few things that you should know about | | | | You want someone that is personable and nice so |
| searching for one on the internet. | | | | they will get along well with you, your family, and |
| 1. Take Your Time | | | | friends. Never make an immediate decision, go home |
| The first photographers you will find are mostly | | | | and think about it first and wait until you have met |
| because of a large advertising budget. There is | | | | with all three. The meeting should be casual, |
| nothing wrong with this, but you should look at all | | | | discussing your wedding day in general. Never get |
| available options. | | | | sold on services that the photographer is trying to |
| 2. Be Specific | | | | sell you at this point. Remember you have already |
| When you use a search engine your search criteria | | | | decided you like the work and price before you got |
| should include your "state" and "professional wedding | | | | there, so there is nothing for the photographer to sell |
| photographer". The quotes will eliminate all general | | | | to you at this point. Just meet with them and get to |
| photographers and narrow your search to only | | | | know them. |
| wedding photographers. I recommend using Google. | | | | Once you have made your decision, contact the |
| Now that you know how to find a wedding | | | | photographer and let them know. Don't forget to |
| photographer, which one do you choose? There are | | | | contact the other two photographers to let them |
| three primary factors that will determine which | | | | know that you have decided to use another |
| photographer to choose; style, price and personality. | | | | photographer and thank them for their time. Go over |
| Style and price can be found on their website and is | | | | the details on the phone with the photographer you |
| our starting point. | | | | chose and get them to write up a wedding contract |
| 1. Style | | | | for you to review and sign. Do not pay a deposit until |
| There are many different style wedding | | | | you have reviewed and signed the contract. Read |
| photographers. Different examples are traditional, | | | | the wedding contract very thoroughly; everything |
| candid, formal, photojournalism, etc. Some | | | | you are suppose to receive should be written down |
| photographers offer only one style, but the best | | | | and have the price and payment schedule. Always |
| photographers can offer all of these styles and would | | | | make a very clear note of their cancellation policy. |
| normally incorporate them into your wedding day | | | | Congratulations! You have a found your wedding |
| coverage. It all depends on your requirements and | | | | photographer and have one scheduled. All you need |
| needs. When viewing a photographers portfolio, | | | | to do now is schedule to meet with them about a |
| remember that these are all his best shots. Always | | | | month before your wedding date to go over the |
| ask to see a full wedding coverage. | | | | details again......and show up for your wedding! |