10 Tips -Choosing Your Wedding Photographer

1. Experience  -Make sure you hire a photographer who has some serious experience in the business of wedding photography. You don’t want to hire a newbie who got some information on-line and hooked up with a cool camera last week; or someone who is branching out to new and different areas of photography to make more money and ends up shooting your wedding as his or her first wedding photography experience. Yikes! The results will be disastrous. This is important to you – make sure you hire some who has done this many times before.

2. Photographic Style – There are three types of photographers: photojournalists, traditional wedding photographers, and those with a balanced bag of tricks.
Ask yourself: Do I love candid black-and-white action shots? If you answered yes, then you are leaning toward a photographer with a photojournalism style.
Perhaps, you prefer portraits and posed shots. If you do, then a traditionalist is for you.
Love them both? Then seek out that photographer with a special mix of both photography styles.

3. Portfolio. The pictures will tell you everything you need to know. When conducting your interviews, ask to see samples of his or her work. Look for clean, sharp images which convey true emotions and feelings. Don’t let special effects or set-ups dazzle you. Make sure to look at one or two complete weddings, from start to finish. You don’t want to see the best shots from several different weddings (anyone can take a few good pictures). Some companies have several photographers working for them, so also be sure you are hiring the actual photographer who took the photos you liked so well.

4. Compatibility and Trust - If you like a particular photographers’ work, but you don’t like the photographer, move on to your next prospect. If you are uncomfortable at all, it will show up in your wedding photos. Communication and trust are big factors when choosing your wedding photographer. Make it clear to your photographer exactly the vision you have and the type of look you want. Be specific and communicate your needs. By doing this you should be able to trust your photographer, and on your wedding day let them do what they does best!

5. Appearance – Ask the photographer how he/she intends to dress. The last thing that you want is a conflict at the wedding about the photographer wearing a sweatshirt and jeans with birkenstocks at your favorite country club. Is this person well groomed?

6. Price  – Do not shop by price alone. In the wedding photography industry, like in everything else in life, price may be a very good indicator of the quality to be expected. Everything depends on what services you require, and the finished products you will receive. If you want good photographs and albums, then be prepared to spend more. A lot of times we tend to surpass our budget constraints to get what we really want. Research shows that good photographers runs between 10-25% or the wedding budget. Most couples underestimate the cost of a good photographer by as much as 40-50%. Also remember, the photographs are only a portion of the services you receive from a professional photographer.

7. Budget Adjustments –Wild salmon or photography? If price is a major issue for you, try to cut corners elsewhere. Try going with a regular instead of a premium bar, buy less expensive shoes, don't buy the premium flower arrangements, DIY as much as you can, etc. Really, who remembers what they had for dinner at a wedding? And who really sees your $900 designer shoes? You do not want to look back and regret not hiring the right photographer!

8. Delivery – How long does it take to get your photos back, your finished album, your online gallery, etc.? Go ahead and ask. Some photographers take months or even years to deliver your proofs. Be sure of how long things take to get your wedding photos.

9. Start Early - By shopping early you will be in a better position to make a good assessment of the wedding photographers you interview and have a better chance of booking the one you want. Remember, there are only so many weekends in a year and the good photographers often book weddings over a year in advance.


10. Contract -You must have written contract that clearly indicates what you are receiving. It’s normal for photographers to have standard contracts that coverall of the points listed below. If your chosen photographer doesn’t have a contract then move on. Here are some things that need to be included:
•    The name of the photographer that will be shooting your wedding.
•    The time and location that cover when photography starts and finishes.
•    When photos and prints will be available
•    A detailed description of what’s included, before the day, on the day and afterwards.
•    All additional charges, services, travel and extra time.
•    Deposits that have been made and amounts still owed and when final payments are expected.
•    Your name, address and phone number. The names and addresses of the ceremony and reception locations.