Selecting Your Photographer To Shoot Your Wedding
One of the most important choices a bride and groom will make is a photographer for their wedding.
There are so many important choices to make like the dress, decor, food, music, location, etc. But the choice of a photographer is one of the most important since your pictures are often one of the most lasting and cherished memories from the most important day of your life.
We’ve all heard dissapointing stories about studios creating lousy images, or not delivering anything at all. By taking the time to do some research you can be assured of choosing someone who will not only deliver great pictures, but who can make you feel good and remove at least one worry from an event filled with stresses.
If any of your friends have gotten married in recent years , so find out who shot their wedding and look at their wedding pictures to see how the photographer did. You’ll likely get some good references this way, so contact the photographers who did a great job for your friends.
It also pays to check out several photographers. Do an internet search for photographers in your area – here in the capital city of Alberta Canada, you’d want to search for Edmonton Wedding Photographers. You can also do a search for something like Edmonton photography. Either way, you’ll get hundreds of results, so concentrate on those shown on the first few pages. When you visit the different websites, you’ll get a feel for each photographer’s style. Send an email to those who stand out. How they answer is a good indication of how professional they are. Are the replies professional and clearly written? Have they provided any other examples or references?
Next, set up interviews with those who create the sytle of photography you want and who are in your budget. When you meet with the photographer, they’ll show you sample pictures and albums. How they treat you at this stage is a good example of what you can expect if you hire them. Are they friendly, or are they condescending? Do they seem warm, or are you uncomfortable working with them?
The photographer will have an agreement for you to sign. Take your time to read it, because it outlines what is expected of both parties. The agreement is also for your benefit, too. While it commits you to pay them, it also commits them to provide the services you have discussed.
Here are a few other thoughts that will help your photographer get the best shots for you:
1. Create a list of the must-have photos you want and provide it to the photographer before the wedding.
2. Make sure you know WHO is going to photograph your wedding. If the main photographer isn’t going to be the actual photographer at your wedding, find out who will – and be sure to see their personal portfolio before you commit to anything.
3. Assign a family member or close friend to be the photographer’s liason who can point out all the important family members who you want to be sure to get pictures of.
4. Ask the photographer to come to the rehearsal so they will know where they can get the best shots without getting in the way.
5. Pre-plan where the formal and informal photographs will be shot.
6. Find out if the photographer provides finished prints, albums, thank-you cards and similar services after the wedding. A professional photographer can provide these additional services that will enhance your wedding day memories and many photographers have excellent resources for these items that are of higher quality than the public can get.
By following these suggestions you won’t need to worry about your wedding photography. Just enjoy your wedding day knowing you’ll have many memorable photographs to enjoy for the rest of your life.
The author is an accomplished professional photographer who specializes in wedding and portrait photography in Edmonton, Alberta.
