The memories that the wedding photographer captures will last a lifetime so it is important to choose your photographer wisely. So, what do you look for when choosing a wedding photographer? Below you will find some important points to consider.

References and Level of Experience. Check his references. If you ask him, he should provide you with a list of his previous customers he has taken wedding pictures for. When you call them ask if they were satisfied with his work and if you can meet with them personally so you can take a look at the photos he did for them. A photographer that is hesitant to give references is possibly not a very good candidate for you to hire.

Personality. Are his ideas the same as yours? Can you communicate with him easily? Does he easily understand what you want or what your ideas are regarding the style of photography that you want achieved? It is important you feel comfortable communicating with him.

Style of Photography. Do the images you see in his past work appeal to you? Do you like his style? If not, you may want to consider continuing your search for another wedding photographer.

Picture Packages. Ask any questions you may have about each package that he presents to you. If you are not comfortable with the packages, will he make one to satisfy your needs?

Accomplished work. Find out how long it will take for him to finish your album, your bridal portrait and all the photos taken during the wedding. Compare the time frames between photographers you are considering.

Price. How do the prices compare between photographers you’ve talked to? If one is more expensive than the other, is he worth spending more here and saving elsewhere in your wedding planning? Take the time to ask all that you need to know and make sure you understand all the services and photos included in the cost. It is better to purchase a smaller package from a great professional photographer than to rely on a friend of a friend who will do it for less if that person can’t capture the memories of your special day the way you want them.

Payments and deposits. Should you cancel, will he give a refund? What happens if he cannot make it for some reason? Does he have a partner to take his place just in case? Make sure you clear all of this with him as well as discuss with him any other concerns you may have. His answers should be able to convince you that he can be trusted.

Contract. Check and read it carefully before signing it. If there is anything you don’t understand, ask him to leave the contract with you overnight so that you can closely look it over. Be certain that everything you both had agreed upon is in the contract.

I wish you well in your search for the perfect wedding photographer and may he capture your beautiful wedding memories to cherish for a lifetime to come.

My next post will help you know what to look for when checking out the wedding photographs from the photographers references, so please check back soon.

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It is a must that you understand the difference between hiring a professional wedding photographer for your wedding day as opposed to someone who is just pretty good with a camera. Wedding pictures will last a lifetime, preserving memories of this very special day. They will live longer than the flowers and the catered food, therefore, you probably will want a photographer who understands what you want and can be relied upon to capture every minute of this special day.

Hiring a professional wedding photographer will help ensure a few things that a non-professional may not. Ideally there is usually a contract to help protect both the photographer and the customer for unforeseen circumstances, for instance if the photographer can not show up the day of the wedding. When working with a non-professional usually there is not a written contract in place and often times the expectations are not as clear to both parties.

So what do you look for when you are planning to hire a professional photographer? Usually the professional will have the following:

1. A valid and legal sales tax license.
2. Proof of current business insurance.
3. Specialized and well kept professional equipment (includes a medium format camera aside from a professional 35mm camera).
4. Membership in a professional association.
5. A permanent studio.

These are the signs of a professional who takes his business seriously. That does not mean that you should not hire any photographer who does not have all of the things listed. However, you should be aware of the difference between a professional photographer and a non-professional when making your decision.

In postings to come I will talk about other things to consider when hiring a photographer as well as what to look for when looking at the photographer’s previous work.

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