As a Professional Photographer with over 20 years experience you might think I'm biased when I say that beside the Bride and Groom the Photographer is one of the most important people on the day! Yes it will be the most memorable day of your life but a great set of professionaly produced photographs will truly help to keep those memories alive. Once the dress is packed away and the cake eaten the Wedding Album will be an enduring record of the day. You must ensure you take time to choose a Photographer who will do justice to the planning and preparation that's gone into thisunique day. My Top 10 Tips are -
1) Ask to see a complete Album for a recent Wedding. The Photographer's Portfolio Album will be 'the best of the best' and will of course be filled with his finest work from a selection of Weddings. That's all very well but you need to see how he records the day as a 'story' and how he is at the range of pictures you'll want. For example, shots of the Bride and Groom require a different skill set to the larger groups. Organising groups comes down to 'logistics' - you need to be firm and assertive! Taking the Couple off for some pretty shots by a lake is a different ball game!
2) Will it be the Photographer himself attending on the day and did he take all the shots you're shown. I know one one Photographer who had as many as 20 men out on a Saturday and the quality of pictures and their overall ability varied enormously. You must ask to meet the actual Photographer before the day - and ideally you must like him! If the pictures are great but he's not someone you think will mix well with your friends and family their could be problems!
3) What experience and qualifications does he have? Personally I think experience counts for far more - Photographing Weddings needs a range of skills and disciplines other than 'photography'and it's truly an art in itself. Ask yourself : Would you rather have the guy with a Degree in Photography from some Art College or one who has no formal qualifications but has photographed 300 Weddings over the past 10 years.
4) How does he charge!? Are there packages including Albums etc or does he charge an 'Attendance Fee' then a cost per picture. How much are reprints? Don't forget family and friends may want to buy these and you want them to be 'affordable.'
5) What if the Photographer's ill!? Does he have others who work for him, or arrangements with others who can cover for him. Yes the chances are slim but it's a risk you don't want to be open to.
6) What if it rains on the day!? I have to say this isn't really a problem for a Professional and in reality a day long downpour is very rare. I'd ask this more to test the reaction - if the prospective photographer is calm and gives a considered response don't worry. If he says 'that won't happen' you need to ask more quesions!
7) Does the Photographer know the venue? Better still, can he show you any pictures he's taken there. An experienced photographer will know all the usual venues and will be able to talk about them with some authority and suggest areas for pictures.
8) Is there a limit to how many photographs he'll take? You really want someone who will take as many pictures as are needed to capture the day, not be working to a '50 shot' limit or something. When you suddenly remember you'd like a picture of you with Aunty Mable who's flown over from Australia for the Wedding you don't want to be told 'that'll cost extra.'
9) Does the Photographer produce 'traditional' pictures or 'photo journalisitic' - or both! By traditional we mean the posed, formal shots. Photo journalistic - or 'candid' - are those more casual looking, capturing the moment shots. The latter look like 'snapshots' but capture an exact moment. Which do you personally prefer? Also, will he offer 'black and white' pictures?
10) Finally ... How long does he take? There's no simple answer here and it will be driven by the number of specific shots you ask for etc. You need to strike a balance between the photography being a record of your Wedding and your Wedding Day becoming a photographic shoot! If it takes too long you'll have restless guests and angry caterers to deal with! Again, the photographers response will speak volumes and you'll either be assured or have more questions to ask.
I said ten but here's number eleven ... Don't be rushed! Don't book the first Photographer you see or be taken in by 'hard sell' techniques. Shop around, take your time and satisfy your own personal needs for your special day
For more wedding planning advice check out http://www.squidoo.com/weddingphotographyportsmouth
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