How to find your perfect wedding photographer

							HOW TO FIND YOUR PERFECT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Okay, so you’ve realized that you want and need a professional doing your wedding pictures. And
you’ve set your budget. And, you’ve now learned a thing or two about style and the different kinds
of equipment. Now is the time to actually go about finding your perfect wedding photographer! But
there’s more to it than just looking through the Yellow Pages and finding the one with the slogan
that you like best.
There are a ton of factors to take into consideration when choosing your perfect photographer! But
that doesn’t mean that you need to be overwhelmed by it either. Follow these steps and take
everything into consideration and you’ll undoubtedly get those perfect pictures that you’ve been
envisioning for your wedding photography.


Step 1: Get a List of Names
Before you can even think about gathering testimonials, thinking about photo packages, and
interview questions, you need to get a list of potential photographer names to work with. There are
many ways that you can do this, but the best is to get a reference from a friend.
Were you recently at a wedding? Or are you friends with any married couples? If so, ask if you can
have a look through their wedding album. People love reliving their wedding and going over the
photos, especially if you haven’t seen them before, so don’t worry that you’ll be putting them out by
asking to look at their photos.
While you’re looking through their pictures, consider whether you like them and if you could
picture your wedding photos being the same way. Ask the couple if they liked their photographer, if
they were easy to work with, and if the photographer was helpful both before, during, and after the
wedding day.
Once you have a couple of names of photographers, start collecting your own set of names. Do a
Google search on “wedding photographs (your area)” and you’ll be given a whole listing of names
and websites of photographers in your area.
This is a great way to gather a list of names because you can check out their website where the
photographer will usually display pictures of past weddings they’ve done, and other general info
about what to expect when working with them. It gives you a good idea of what kind of
photographer you’re working with before you even talk to them.
In fact, however you get a photographer’s name, you should always check out their website before
you phone them. Not only can you look at the kind of work they do, but many of them also post
their rates and the different wedding packages they typically have available.
Of course, just because there are many tools, such as the Internet, that will greatly help you with all
of your wedding planning, that shouldn’t mean that you should ignore more traditional methods of
finding a wedding photographer either – such as the Yellow Pages.
Have a look in your local phone book or your local paper and see if there are any wedding
photographers advertising their services. This method of searching might give you fewer names
than an Internet search, but the results may also be more local, a big plus for busy brides and
grooms!


Step2: Schedule                          a       Meeting              with           Different
   Photographers
After you’ve done a little digging around on your own, it will be time for you to start calling
different photographers and talking to them to get a better idea of what kind of photographer they
are, and if you would like to work with them for your wedding.
You probably won’t want to contact every single photographer that you came across in your initial
search; you simply won’t have the time to be doing that. But, you probably will have a handful of
names that you think might be suitable photographers for your wedding.
Most people say to pick three names, but it’s your wedding and you want to be sure that
photographs you’ll have of your special day will be perfect. Choose to call and speak to as many
wedding photographers as you want, and that you have time for.
During this first phone call, the first question you should ask is whether or not they are available the
day of your wedding. If they’re already booked, you’ll need to cross them off your list and move
on, and there’s no point in wasting both of your time moving any further if the photographer can’t
even do it that day.
If they are available, they may ask you a few questions about you and your wedding and what you
want out of your wedding photography. At this point, you can also feel free to ask any questions that
you think are pertinent or should be asked before your first official meeting with the photographer.
If the photographer is available and you both think that a face-to-face meeting would be
worthwhile, set up a time with them. Keep in mind that some photographers may want the bride and
groom; the bride, groom, and the bride’s parent’s; or may not have a preference. Some
photographers like as many family members as possible to be present to get a good idea of what
pictures would work best, and to get a visual of the whole family before beginning their work. For
some of course, it doesn’t matter and even those who have a preference will usually work with
couples who want to meet with the photographer on their own.
When it’s time to meet different photographers, prepare a list of questions to ask them, and bring a
pen with you so that you can record their answers. After you’ve met with a few photographers,
you’d be surprised how easy it is to get one answer mixed up with another!


Step 3: Ask These MUST Know Questions
There are a lot of questions to ask potential wedding photographers. Here is an extensive list of
what you should ask, and an explanation of why you should ask it. For easier reference when it’s
time to actually interview, copy and take along the “Wedding Photographer Interview Questions”
sheet that’s at the end of this report.

Are you available the day of my wedding?
This is the first question you need to ask. If you’ve gotten to the interview stage, you probably
already know the answer, but make sure that you have specified the date, reiterated it to the
photographer, and then double-checked. It’s that important!

Where did you become qualified to take professional wedding
    photographs, and do you take any courses to become updated in the
    field?
This one all goes back to hiring a professional. You don’t need to ensure that your photographer has
a Master’s degree in photography, or that they have photographed famous people. But, you do need
to make sure that they have invested time educating themselves in the field and really living it and
learning it. Wedding photography is also a field that is constantly changing, and a good
photographer will continue to educate and inform themselves to keep abreast of what’s going on in
their field, because these are the things their future clients are going to want.
What is your style of photography?
This is one of the most important questions you could ask. Just like your florist has an eye for the
different bouquets that will be at your ceremony, your photographer will have a certain idea or
vision in mind for your wedding as well, and much of this will be based on their own personal style
of photography.

What kind of equipment do you use?
The answer will be either film or digital, and it probably won’t even matter too much. You still need
to ask though, because it will reflect in your finished wedding photos.

May I see photos of an entire wedding that you shot pictures for?
It’s one thing to look at separate pictures from different weddings to get a feel for the
photographer’s style and expertise. But, to genuinely understand whether you’ll get that “complete
wedding” package, you’ll want to see a complete wedding, shot from beginning to end. That way,
you’ll know what your finished product will be like, and you’ll know whether or not you like it.

May I contact these people for a reference?
Finding wedding photos for an entire wedding that you like is one thing; knowing that you’ll enjoy
spending the day with that photographer, or that they’ll deliver the promised rates, are totally
different.
Being able to call a past client and ask what they liked about the photographer, what they didn’t
like, how the customer service was, etc. is a huge step in finding a great photographer. If any
photographer seems hesitant to hand out references, or at least take your number so the past client
can call you, that’s a huge warning sign, and an indicator that you should hire another photographer.

Did you take these photographs? Will you be taking the photographs the
     day of my wedding?
This question is hugely important! Many studios have many different photographs working within
that studio. You must make sure that the person you speak to before the wedding will be the main
photographer on the day of your wedding. Many photographers will also have an assistant that will
be with them on the day of, and that’s fine.
But make sure that any details regarding the style, the poses, whether you want candids, or any
other details are all nailed out with the person who will actually be the main photographer on the
day of your wedding. Otherwise, all those months of planning with your photographer and meeting
with them will mean nothing, and it will all be left to one person who has only read your file.

We don’t want to see each other before the ceremony. How do you handle
    this and what are the alternatives?
Usually, this isn’t a problem. If you choose, the photographer will most likely take separate getting
ready shots, and then do couple shots and group shots after the ceremony. However, if your
ceremony is taking place later in the evening, this could become problematic. Some photographers
may suggest a studio time after the day of the ceremony, or they may have their own solutions.
Who are you planning to have in the photographs, and how are you going to
    include them? What shots do you have in mind for them?
This is probably something that will be discussed when you’re talking about style and other details
of your wedding photography. But it’s good to bring up, especially if you want to make sure that
you get a picture of Aunt Sandy dancing with your groom, or you have any other specific photos in
mind.

What are the main goals you have when you approach a wedding?
This is an important question because you need to know what the mindset of the photographer will
be when they come to your wedding. Do they want total control? That’s okay, and sometimes you
may want them to have total control. Are they willing to allow you to completely guide the
photography for the day? Again, this is great if you have a real vision for what you want your
photography to be, but something you may not feel comfortable with and will definitely not want to
be surprised with on your wedding day!

What can I do on the day of the wedding to help you?
Again, another hugely important question. Remember that you and your wedding photographer are
a team! While they will definitely bring professionalism and expertise, they’ll also need a little help
from you. Your family and friends will be much more likely to quiet down and listen to you as you
pose them or tell them where to stand in pictures, and they’ll feel more comfortable with you too
then they will the photographer. Help where you can, and it will definitely show up in your wedding
photos!

How will you be showing me my selection of photos?
Will the photographer go through every single shot they took that day, or will they pick the best and
show you only those? Again, one is not better than the other here, and what’s best for you will be
based solely on your own preference. If you don’t want to waste time shuffling through pictures that
have a half-face in them, or that aren’t really of anything, have the photographer pick only the best
to show you. If you feel like you should be able to pick and choose from every single picture,
discuss that with the photographer. Some may charge a fee for looking at every shot, but it’s
becoming easier now with digital photography.

Will you be helping me pick my final selection?
The photographer will be there when you choose your final pictures and whether or not you want
input on deciding is again, ultimately up to you. Remember though that the photographer has
probably shot dozens of weddings before, and knows what looks good and what doesn’t.

What kind of packages do you offer? What are the different rates?
Different photography packages are as different as photographers themselves. Some will offer an
entire wedding album put together for you, just the prints, have them framed, offer DVDs or CDs,
and have many other things included in their packages. Find out about all the packages different
photographers have available, to make sure that you don’t regret not having video of your wedding
after your big day.
How much time do I have to make my selection after I’ve seen the proofs?
This one is important, but self-explanatory. You’ll want as much time as you can have to review
your proofs, but photographers will also want to put a time cap on that.

How do I go about ordering reprints once I’ve already ordered my final
    package?
Everyone wants reprints of their wedding photos, and you will too! In order to ensure that you get
the same quality prints as you got in your wedding package, it’s best to order any reprints through
the original photographer. Find out how many you can order, when, and how long it will take to get
them back.

How much time will you have available on my wedding day? And how much
    will that cost?
This is also very important. You want to know that the photographer will be present enough to get
the adequate coverage of your wedding that you want. But, time is still also money, and your
photographer is going to charge you for their time, in addition to the prices of any prints or
packages.

What is your guarantee to make sure that I am happy with my prints?
Photographers need to make money, and you need to have perfect wedding photos. Find out where
the middle ground is, and what the photographer is willing to do if you’re unhappy with your
finished product.

Do you guarantee, or have any protection against my pictures fading? What
     if they do fade?
Photographers have all kinds of technology available to them today to make sure that your precious
memories don’t fade over time. Find out what each photographer’s is, and if you’re happy with it.
Once you have gotten all of the answers to all of your questions – from all of the photographers that
you’re considering, it’s then time to go home and think about which photographer you think will
work best for your wedding. Be sure to sit with all of the pertinent information (rates, styles, etc.)in
front of you, and consider who will give you the best rate, and compare all of the other information
that you’ve been given from the different photographers.
One of the most important factors you have to compare however, won’t be in the answers to your
interview questions, or from their rate sheet. It will be simply from the feeling and relationship you
felt you had with the photographer.
If you feel comfortable with your photographer, and have an easy relationship with them, you’re
going to get better wedding photos. This is because you’ll feel easier asking questions, and the
photographer will feel more comfortable being there and taking pictures. Also, if you have a good
relationship, the photographer will most likely also have a very good sense of what you want.


Step 4: Choose Your Wedding Photographer!
Once you’ve determined which photographer can offer you everything you need for your wedding,
and which one you feel the most comfortable with, it’s then time to call them and get that contract
signed!! This is very exciting because, once that contract is signed, you’ll be able to stop worrying
about your wedding photography, until the day of, that is! So even though you’ve asked your
questions to the photographer and are ready to commit, there are still some things you have to watch
for, and make sure are included with the final contract.

What to Include in Your Contract
After you’ve decided on which photographer you think is best for your wedding, you will need to
sit down and sign on the dotted line. This both holds your day and time in the photographer’s
schedule, and gives them reassurance that they have the job; and it also protects you when it comes
time to pay for your photographer.
What’s included in the contract is what you’ll be bound to and responsible for when it’s time to pay
the photographer. And, if you don’t outline enough in your contract, you could also end up paying
more than you bargained for.
So, what should you include in your wedding photography contract?

The details of the day
You want as many details in your wedding contract as possible. Make sure that it will include the
proper day of your wedding (again, you need to check this at every point possible); how long the
wedding photographer will be at your wedding; what they’ll charge for being there; if they’ll be
bringing a second photographer, and what you’ll be expected to pay for them; if they’ll be bringing
an assistant, and what that will cost you. Mostly be specific about the times that they’ll be there, and
what aspects of your wedding will be covered – keeping in mind that you want every aspect of your
wedding covered!

Location, location, location!
Having the day right won’t mean anything if the photographer can’t find you. If you know the
location of your wedding when you book your photographer, make sure that the venue is clearly
stated in the contract, along with the proper address, the phone number, and the phone number of
who will be in charge at the venue.
In addition to all the details about the venue where your wedding will be, also be sure to include any
other venues that will be part of your wedding day. For instance, you may want pictures taken at
your parent’s house before the ceremony, then photos at the venue of the ceremony, then photos
taken at the venue where the reception will be.

What you’ll get in your wedding package
This section of your contract should be very complete, and very detailed. It will include things such
as the length of time your photographer will be at your ceremony; how many people they’re
bringing; how long you’ll have to wait before your wedding photos arrive; and what your rights are
to distribute, copy, and republish your photos. Here there may also be a section regarding the
photographer’s logo. Usually, these aren’t on the actual prints, but they may be on the back of them.
If you don’t want them included, find out if it’s possible to eliminate them and what that will cost
you. Remember that you’ll be taking advertising away from the photographer, so this will probably
cost extra.

When to pay
This is very important because you need to come to an agreement on when you will make payment
for your photos and unfortunately, there’s no typical situation. Some photographers want a 50%
deposit to hold your date, with the rest of the balance being due on the day of your wedding. Others
may want the entire payment upfront, while still others may be willing to work out a payment plan
with you, that maybe even extends past the date of your wedding.
Regardless of what your arrangement is, make sure you know what it is! If you need to pay the
entire fee upfront and you don’t, some photographers will include in their contract that they can
book that date for another wedding, meaning that you won’t have one for yours!

Wedding photos
If there are certain shots that you want included in your package, such as a picture of the moment
you have with your dad before he walks you down the aisle, make sure that these are included in the
contract. Most photographers work with the couple to decide on the “must-have photos,” which
they will then write down in the master shot list. Still though, anything that you must have on your
wedding day, must be in the contract.

Have a backup plan
Or rather, make sure your photographer has a backup plan. You don’t want to think about the
possibility of your photographer becoming sick the day of your wedding, them not being able to get
into town, or any other reason that will stop them from coming to shoot your wedding. But
sometimes, these things do happen and you need to make sure that you won’t be left without a
photographer. Make sure it clearly states who the alternative photographer will be, and that there is
one! Be very clear that this is the photographer’s responsibility to get someone else in, but you
should know about it well ahead of time.

Take the contract home
Any photographer worth their salt won’t pressure you to sign the contract too quickly. Feel free to
take it home, look it over with your bride or groom and discuss it, and make sure that you fully
understand everything within it, and that it’s not missing anything you want it to contain. If it’s
missing something or you don’t understand all of it, make sure that you clear these things up with
the photographer before you sign it.

They’re hired!
Once you’re fully happy with the contract, and you’ve signed it, congratulations! You have just
hired your wedding photographer and there’s one more thing that you can cross of your wedding to-
do list.
But, there is a lot to take into consideration when it comes to hiring a professional wedding
photography and, when you’re running around wedding planning; it can be hard to remember eerie
little that you’re supposed to do. Use the “Wedding Photography Checklist” that’s at the end of the
report to help you remember all of the steps involved in hiring a professional wedding
photographer.
Detach the checklist, stick a copy of it in your wedding book that you no longer leave home
without, and check things off as you go. Choosing a wedding photographer should be one of the
most fun parts of your wedding – enjoy it, and keep enjoying your special day for years to come
when you look back at those beautiful photos, taken by the perfect photographer!

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