Tips on Choosing a Wedding Photographer


© Jessica Cuba

When choosing a photographer, please remember...

  1. References - If the portfolio is fabulous, but the photographers gets sloppy drunk and ruins Aunt Emmy's shoes, it's not worth the money.
  2. Portfolio - Sometimes everything clicks until you see the pictures!
  3. Personality - Make sure you mesh. My photographer was nice, professional, and almost refused to take my picture when I walked down the aisle without shoes on!
  4. Sensibilities - Do you want classic poses like the two hands joined with rings or do you want a great shot of the ball and chain the best man hooked to the groom on his way to the ceremony? Different photographers will keep their eyes out for different special moments.
  5. Timing - Do you want to take your group shots before or after the wedding? Discuss that before making a decision.
  6. Cost - Cost varies widely with the amount of work done on the pictures, time spent at the reception, packages offered, and extras. Find out about all of the extras beforehand. What will happen to your negatives? How much will be charged for extra copies for friends and families?
  7. Color - Do you want color or black and white? Make sure to look at examples of both if you will be using both types of pictures in your albums.
  8. Comparison Shop - Some areas are inherently more expensive or filled with better photographers than others. Know your market.

Most Important Rule: DO NOT HIRE A FRIEND!

Even if your friend has done great work in the past, this can be a real strain on any friendship. Besides, your friends should be in front of the camera, not behind.

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

7.   Apr 30, 1998 6:31 AM
Vicki Carpenter

I am a professional wedding photographer. I can tell you from experience what happens when a bride doesn't do her homework. We require that the bride and groom spend time with us ...


-- posted by VickiC


6.   Apr 17, 1998 9:05 PM
I agree, we took all kinds of standard pictures, but were off center enough ourselves that our wedding book opens with a picture of Christian sticking his tongue out at the camera while his poor paren ...

-- posted by Weddings


5.   Apr 17, 1998 12:16 AM
I lucked out with a wonderful photographer for my big day. We did a few "chuckle" shots just because we wanted something different in our photo album...when our caterers spotted some of them they ask ...

-- posted by TvBabe


4.   Apr 16, 1998 1:38 PM
Jessica - that's too bad about your friends not getting ANY pictures! Hopefully the guests at the wedding took enough pictures that maybe they can get some reprints from them. That's a BUMMER.

An ...


-- posted by Jaynee


3.   Apr 16, 1998 7:18 AM
I can understand the missing out on fun aspect, but obviously you didn't go to my wedding. It helps if you have a friend who is a professional shoot the wedding. I wouldn't let just anyone pick up a c ...

-- posted by DenisS





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