How to choose a wedding photographer

Long after the dancing is done and the guests have gone home, our pictures will provide a lifelong reminder of your special day. However, as many newly engaged couples discover, the photographer is one of the more expensive wedding items to budget for. Many couples make the mistake of choosing a photographer too quickly and not reading the fine print, and either are stuck with bad photographs, or end up paying much more than they had anticipated. However, it is easy to find a great photographer if you keep a few things in mind.

The first is your total wedding budget. A photographer should cost no more than 5-7% of your total wedding budget. Of course, if you are receiving parts of the wedding as gifts or at a steep discount, you can always increase the total percent of your budget devoted to photographs. Also consider whether you want a video or DVD of the wedding and/or reception, as many photographers can also provide this service.

The next thing to do is find a photographer. Ask your friends and co-workers about the photographers they used for their own weddings. If one of your friends had pictures they were thrilled with and felt like they got a good deal, ask to see their wedding album to get an idea of that photographer’s work. Also check out local photographers online, since many will have samples of their work posted on a webpage. Compile a list of at least three photographers to contact for information.

Once you have a list of photographers, make some calls to ask for details. Among the questions to ask are: availability on your wedding date; whether the photographer requires assistants and what the charge is for the assistants; the charge per hour/day; the number of cameras at the ceremony and reception; the type of film used (color, black and white, or both); the prices for different photo packages; extra charges for keeping the negatives and for compiling a photo album; and the length of time between shooting the wedding and receiving the final product. Ask about whether the photographer uses a digital camera, a method whose popularity is growing due to the ability to immediately re-do individual and group shots that did not turn out right the first time. Ask about the photographer’s preferred shooting style (candid vs. posed shots), focusing on the photographer’s stated specialty. If you are talking to a company with more than one photographer, confirm that the person whose style you are inquiring about will be the same person who shoots the wedding. If the photographer offers a video/DVD service, ask about the cost of additional copies for family members, and whether there is a discount for purchasing both photography and videography from the same vendor. Also be sure to ask about how many weddings your photographer will be shooting that weekend, or even that day, since a rushed photographer may not take the time to complete your entire list of wanted shots. Finally, be sure to ask about the photographer’s experience in shooting weddings. While you may get a better price using a less experienced photographer, you may regret the low quality of the pictures once you receive them.

Once you have narrowed your selection to one or two photographers, go to their studio to see their work firsthand. A professional photographer will have at least one photo album of sample work. Look at the pictures to determine whether you are comfortable with the style and quality of the pictures. Be sure to ask whether the pictures you are looking at were shot by the photographer who will be shooting your wedding. If you don’t like the pictures, politely say you are going to consider their offer and leave; don’t let the photographer pressure you into signing a contract for something you aren’t comfortable with. Once you have found a photographer you like, the final step is to ask for references from recent weddings and call them. Ask about their experience with the photographer, including any hidden fees and how comfortable they would be hiring the same photographer again. If the photographer checks out, you can sign the contract knowing you have hedged your bets, and should receive a wonderful photo album after your wedding day.