Choosing a Wedding Photographer

Choosing a photographer for your big day is a daunting task. There are so many out there, how do you know one is better than another. Here are some tips in helping you to decide:

1. Choose a photographer that suits your style. Photographers will either shoot formal wedding frames, or be more like photojournalists, shooting as the event happens, or some photographers will do a mixture of both. Choose a photographer that suits your style.

2. Every photographer has a portfolio of work. Ask to see it. Look out for crisp images, good lighting, well composed foregrounds and backgrounds, ask yourself wether the photography your viewing expresses any emotion.
3. Meet with your photographer choices and assess wether there is any common ground there. It is essential that you understand each other and can work together throughout the process as the character of the photographer will play an important part in the type of photo�s you end up with.
4. Ask technical questions: does he/she shoot digital photography? Does he/she shoot medium format (for poster sized prints) as well as 35mm? Will you get a CD of all photography, or an album?
5. As for References and check them out. Ask the Referees wether the photographer was punctual, friendly, assertive, worthy of recommendation?
6. Check out the small print. Large studios will often hike up the price of an estimate by sending along associates or charging you for travel time to your wedding etc. Make sure you know what your getting.
7. Make sure that you own all the rights to your wedding photography, that way there will be not chance that your photography ends up in a magazine to publicize the photographer!

The photo�s that you take away from your wedding are quite often the only lasting impression you will have of your special day. With this in mind it makes sense to plan the photographs that you would like to see in the future and to give this list to your photographer before your ceremony.

Also ask your photographer to shoot in both black and white and colour so that you can benefit from both mediums.

Once you�ve made your choice, don�t second guess. Consider it one less thing to have to think about!