Tips On Choosing Your Wedding Photographer
Just a few short years ago, the process of choosing your wedding photographer was quite a time consuming process of making appointments with a studio, taking off work or making arrangements to meet with the photographer after hours. Now, with the advent of the internet, shopping for a wedding photographer or almost anything else for that matter, is second nature to most and especially the 18 to 30 year olds, who are in the prevalent marrying age group. So use the internet to narrow down to a short list the photographers whose photographic images and wedding packages coincide with your expectations of wedding photography. Although your budget is important to you, don't let price alone be the sole consideration when choosing your church or beach wedding photographer. There are many other variables to consider.

Wedding References
Get some recommendations from friends or relatives or coworkers who have recently gotten married and check their photographer out. If they did a great job for your acquaintances, they will probably do well for you. If that doesn't work out, check several photographers' websites for a list of references or perhaps they have references from past clients highlighted on the website. Don't be afraid to ask for the references. Newlyweds are also happy to share their experiences, good or bad, they had concerning their vendors with another prospective bride. Some of the bridal websites have forums and review ratings for photographers and other vendors. At the very least, get some references from your DJ, florist, bridal shop and other vendors so that you can have a list of reputable photographers to choose from.

How do you envision the final look of your wedding album?

Wedding Lighting Techniques
Some photographers create highly stylized images with a unique look that may involve multi-directional strobe lighting. Others prefer soft fill light balanced with natural ambient light. Some photographers shoot with no additional light whatsoever and use totally natural light. As you search the web for your wedding photographer, you will want to be considering the lighting techniques which professional photographers use to create images. Then you will want to come to some conclusion as to which lighting style you prefer. Simply put, do you like the way the images appear?

Wedding Shooting Styles
There are three basic shooting styles in wedding photography: traditional, candid and the relatively new avant-garde photojournalistic style. Most wedding photographers lean toward one of the three styles but may also use a combination or variation of the three. Traditional wedding photography is probably the style your mother and grandmother know best. Everyone lines up stiffly, smiling at the camera and the photographer snaps the picture. This is probably the image your mother wants to hang in the hallway. In contrast to that, candid photographs are taken on the spur of the moment, with no posing and no warning and show the spontaneity of the day, as well as the tender moments shared between the bride and groom. The photographer has to be diligent, paying close attention as the bride, groom, attendants and parents interact with one another to attain great candid images. Finally, photojournalistic style wedding photography is a method of telling the story of your wedding day. It might possibly start with images of the bride and her bridesmaids at the hair salon in curlers and not end until the bride and her new husband drive away twelve hours later. This approach is not for everyone but has been catching on in the last few years. Some photographers who practice this style actually refuse to take posed photographs. Most photographers use a combination of the three styles to document the wedding day and are willing to photograph your wedding with an emphasis on the style you prefer.

Get It In Writing
Get the details in writing. Most reputable professional wedding photographers use a written contract to document what is included in the package, as well as a payment schedule. You will want to make sure that the method of delivery (proofs, album, CD, low or high resolution files) is outlined in the contract. Also, make sure it defines when and where photographic coverage begins and ends, as well as the cost of possible overtime charges.

Book Your Wedding Photographer
Once you have chosen the photographer, go ahead and secure the date, making sure that you know who will be photographing your wedding. Will it be the photographer you are speaking with and whose work you have viewed or an associate photographer that you know nothing about? Most wedding photographers only shoot one wedding on a Saturday, and there are only so many Saturdays in a year so secure the date early. You may want to plan a weekday wedding for a better choice of venues and vendors, as well as a possible reduction on the price. Remember that some dates are very popular, and you may need to book the day over a year in advance to secure your primary choice.


Feel free to email any questions or comments to: steve@stevenframe.com