Navigating The Do's And Don'ts Of Selecting A Wedding Photographer


by Cleo Turner - Date: 2007-02-20 - Word Count: 597 Share This!

Navigating the Do's and Don'ts of Selecting a Wedding Photographer

Few things in life are more memorable and everlasting than your wedding photos. The mementos to have for generations - to show your children and grandchildren the joy you experienced on your big day.

As you sit down to plan your wedding, ensure you and your local event planners make choosing a reputable photographer a priority. Price should not be the primary determining factor when selecting a professional. Working with quality local event planners you trust is the best way to guarantee your memories are beautifully captured. Hiring a photographer should be one of the first things you do off your list. Start searching for one at least six months before the wedding date.

When hunting for a photographer, do extensive research and ask for referrals from family and friends. Before you make your final selection, interview at least three photographers. It is best to meet the person who will actually be taking your pictures. If you are having a large wedding, consider hiring two photographers. The photographer should also work with an assistant, who can gather guests and reload film. You should visit each potential photographer's website and review their portfolio. Good professionals showcase their recent work online, including full weddings. Look for someone whose style appeals to you. You can pre-qualify those who have comprehensive online portfolios later by setting a meeting to view additional work. When you meet, ask to see examples of complete coverage of a single wedding from the photographer who will be working your event. You will want to note if the albums tell the entire wedding story, there is a good mix of portrait, group and candid photos, the groups are well positioned and everyone is looking at the camera. Some questions to ask a photographer should include:

· What will you do to tailor my photographs to my personal taste?
· What is your photography style?
· What do the various levels of coverage cost?
· Do you have travel fees?
· How much is your overtime policy?
· Do you offer guarantees on your services and photographs?
· What were some of your worst wedding nightmares and how did you handle the situations?

Many photographers make a large percentage of their income by charging overtime. Make sure you know how long they will be attending your event and stay for all important moments. Have a trusted contact monitor that they take all significant photos within this timeframe. This way you can try to avoid any additional fees. Ensure they offer you a signed contract with all pricing details and breakdown before the ceremony. Ask for a blank copy and compare it with other contracts before signing.

Once you have chosen a photographer, visit the venue sites with your local event planners and choose any photogenic locations like parks, gardens, landmarks, etc. to take additional pictures. To make sure they capture all the moments most important to you, give them a detailed list of the events you want them to photograph. You can also assign a personal contact to point out important guests. The more assistance and details you provide the photographer before the wedding, the more likely you will be satisfied with your pictures.

It is important to be careful and thorough in your selection of a wedding photographer, heed the advice of your local event planners. Your photos will be the lasting images you have of your big day. Just because someone does something for a living, doesn't mean they're always the most professional. Ask your local event planners detailed questions, perform the appropriate research and work with someone you trust.


Related Tags: photographer, local event planners

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