by Amy Hicks
Selecting a photographer for your wedding is as important as selecting the location for your wedding. Photographers are often booked months or even a year in advance, so you must schedule early. Also, your wedding photographs will be important to you for years to come, so you should be sure that you select the photographer who is right for you. Once the day is over, all you will have are memories, photographs and, of course, a spouse. Follow this plan to make sure that your wedding photographer is the right one.
Your first step in selecting a photographer is to ask for references from friends and family members. They may be able to suggest a great photographer, but more importantly, they may be able to tell you who to stay away from. After this, check out the websites of photographers in your area, and look at their sample photographs to select some interview candidates. The next step is to call these photographers and try to get a feel for both their personalities and their experience levels. By the time you hang up the phone, you should know whether you want to meet that particular photographer or not. Go ahead and set up meetings to view samples and ask questions. The following are questions that should be asked when interviewing a photographer:
- What does the wedding package consist of?
- How much will additional photographs or prints cost?
- How many photographs will you take?
- Will you work at both the ceremony and the reception?
- Can negatives be purchased or must additional photos be ordered through the photographer?
- How many photographs are in a standard album?
- How much do extra albums cost?
- Will the photographer stay through the entire reception?
- Are there extra fees for black and white photographs?
- Are there extra fees for extra locations?
- What kind of wedding albums do you offer?
- How long will it take to view the proofs?
- How long will it take to receive the prints after selections have been made?
- Is your style mainly traditional, photojournalistic, or do you do both?
- Will you be using film or digital equipment?
- Will you bring backup equipment in case something breaks?
Remember, this is your wedding, if you have questions –ask them. Keep in mind that there are some companies that employ many photographers, and dealing with them can be tricky. To avoid having some stranger show up to take pictures on your wedding day, make sure to ask who the photographer will be and who took the sample photos you are viewing.
You also want to make sure that you feel comfortable with the photographer. He/she will be your shadow the day of your wedding, and you do not want someone who irritates you or makes you nervous. Personality is almost as important as skill when choosing a photographer.
Once you have chosen a photographer, ask to see samples of an entire wedding or two so you can see more of the photographer’s style. If you approve, be prepared to sign a contract. The contract should clearly state:
• The photographer’s name
• The time and place the photographs will be taken
• What will be included in the wedding package
• Additional fees pertaining to overtime, additional locations, etc.
• Deposit amount
• Additional amount due and the due date. NEVER pay the whole fee up front.
After all this has been taken care of, you need to think about who you want in your photographs. Most photographers have their own system; traditionally, photos should be taken of the bride and groom alone, the couple with the bridesmaids, the couple with the entire wedding party, and the couple with each set of parents and/or immediate family members. Keep in mind that divorced parents should not appear in the same photograph. This should help you avoid any awkward moments.
Usually, some of the wedding photographs are taken before the ceremony. Everyone will look their best before flowers have had time to wilt or dresses have become wrinkled. If the bride does not want her groom to see her before the wedding, then individual pictures should be taken. Getting as much done before the ceremony will also reduce the amount of time spent on photography before the reception. If your ceremony ends at 4pm, don’t schedule your reception at 4:30. You may even want to send your guests on to a cocktail hour before you arrive so your photographer will have all the time he/she needs to get the perfect shot or you and your groom.
For candid pictures taken during the reception, make a list of people and things (such as the cake) that you really want pictures of and give the list to the photographer. This will make his/her job easier, and also ensure that the people most important to you will be captured in your wedding album or folio.
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