Ask family, friends and recent newlyweds for recommendations, and set up interviews. You can also consult the yellow pages and wedding vendors, but exercise extra caution in checking work samples and references if you find your photographers in this manner.
Step2
Request to see a complete coverage of each photographer's work - that is, ask for a picture portfolio of an entire wedding for which he or she was hired.
Step3
Choose an overall photographic style that suits you, whether photojournalistic, candid, formal posed portraits, artsy with added dramatic flourishes, color, or black-and-white for a romantic, classy look - or select a blend of a number of styles. Which can the prospective photographer deliver?
Step4
Consider the photographer's personality. Decide if you share a vision and will get along well. Remember, the photographer will be your shadow before and during the event.
Step5
Check prices, including those of packages offered and numbers of prints included. Remember, it may be worth it to invest in a good photographer if it means that the memories of the day will be captured perfectly or near-perfectly on film.
Step6
Schedule a follow-up meeting to hammer out specifics ' specific shots you want and don't want, the shooting schedule on the day of the wedding, film development, how many rolls will be shot, the number of proofs available and the negatives policy (how long they're available and whether they're for sale).
Tips & Warnings
Confirm that the photographer you hire will be the one to actually shoot the pictures.
Book early; the best wedding photographers get booked a year in advance.
Find a photographer who either is a pro or is excited about shooting weddings, and who brings some personal flair to his or her work.
on 2/7/2008
Never choose your photographer based on price alone. "You get what you pay for" & "too good to be true" apply here.
Photographers who have invested time, education & money in learning their craft, in maintaining top-rated equipment, in professional affiliations (PPA, WJPA, etc.) AND liability coverage will have pricing that reflects it.
Low end photographers are either inexperienced, not confident enough in their work to charge like a pro OR don't the reputation to be able to charge what the higher end competition is charging.
And watch out for studios who show awesome image sampls then offer low priced packages that seem to include everything. These types of studios are known as Wedding Mills, and they focus on quantity over quality. They do not have a staff of pro photographers, rather they outsource YOUR WEDDING to any shutterbug available on your date!!
on 11/22/2005
Weddings are the only times (besides funerals) when all the family is in the same place at the same time, and everyone is reasonably well dressed. Take advantage of this by making sure to include family groupings.
on 11/22/2005
It is essential to give the photographer a list of people whose pictures you want taken, when to take certain pictures, etc. We made the mistake that our photographer knew all of that and a lot of people were dissatisfied.
Comments
Rachel0814p said
on 2/7/2008 If you need a wedding photographer ANYWHERE in the world, check out Loren Scott Photography.
Rachel0814p said
on 2/7/2008 Never choose your photographer based on price alone. "You get what you pay for" & "too good to be true" apply here.
Photographers who have invested time, education & money in learning their craft, in maintaining top-rated equipment, in professional affiliations (PPA, WJPA, etc.) AND liability coverage will have pricing that reflects it.
Low end photographers are either inexperienced, not confident enough in their work to charge like a pro OR don't the reputation to be able to charge what the higher end competition is charging.
And watch out for studios who show awesome image sampls then offer low priced packages that seem to include everything. These types of studios are known as Wedding Mills, and they focus on quantity over quality. They do not have a staff of pro photographers, rather they outsource YOUR WEDDING to any shutterbug available on your date!!
SarahTakesFotos said
on 2/16/2007 If You Need A Photographer In Canterbury Area Let Me know matt.sez@xtra.co.nz
Sarah xx
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Weddings are the only times (besides funerals) when all the family is in the same place at the same time, and everyone is reasonably well dressed. Take advantage of this by making sure to include family groupings.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 It is essential to give the photographer a list of people whose pictures you want taken, when to take certain pictures, etc. We made the mistake that our photographer knew all of that and a lot of people were dissatisfied.