A wedding photographer is one of the most important service providers for your wedding. To capture the magic of the moment so that the memory of your wedding can endure decades to come can never ever be downplayed. But how do you go about selecting and hiring a wedding photographer that will capture the memory of a lifetime? How do you know that a wedding photographer “knows” how to capture the best possible picture to truly tell the story of your wedding? And finally what should a wedding photographer’s service include?
A wedding photographer is a service provider. From your very first interaction to the final follow-up meeting your wedding photographer has to be the most in tuned provider at your wedding engagement and with you! As your wedding day is set get on the hiring of a wedding photographer ASAP. And be sure to take your time interviewing a number of wedding photographers. And when you interview – understand that although pricing is a factor – it cannot be the sole deciding factor when choosing your wedding photographer. Cheap is not always the best. And “truth be told” you will get what you pay for. Wedding photography is art, wedding photography is business, and wedding photography is service. Do not skimp on money with your wedding photographer but at the same time be money-wise and know how to select a wedding photographer.
How do you select a wedding photographer? You start by asking five questions:
- Is the wedding photographer that is presenting (meeting with you) going to be the one shooting the wedding?
- Does the wedding photographer have wedding albums available from beginning to end to show you?
- Does the wedding photographer have a vendor list, or a list of recommended vendors that the photographer knows and has worked with?
- Does the wedding photographer upload photos from the event to an online wedding gallery and how long after the event are they available to view?
- What style of wedding photography will be used and with what format does the wedding photographer shoot?
Is the wedding photographer that is presenting (meeting with you) going to be the one shooting the wedding?
From the very first meeting to the last you want to know that the wedding photographer you select will know you, understand your wedding needs, understand what is important to you and your family. You also want to know your wedding photographer. You want to be comfortable with them personably and confident in that person’s wedding photography experience, their promise to deliver, and their guarantee to your schedule. On your wedding their can be NO surprises with your wedding photography.
Does the wedding photographer have wedding albums available from beginning to end to show you?
Your meeting with the wedding photographer should include the review of wedding albums. You will want to see the progression of the wedding album so you can glean insights into the artistic view of the wedding photographer. Why - because you want to be able to identify with that photographer’s artistic eye. Does the wedding photographer’s art coincide with your vision of the wedding day? Does the wedding photographer capture the essence of the wedding? Can the wedding photographer capture the beauty, the love, and memory of the wedding day? To know that you need examples, you need to see actual wedding albums. What you are looking for is the wedding photographer’s vision of how your wedding should be told for all time.
Does the wedding photographer have a vendor list, or a list of recommended vendors that the photographer knows and has worked with?
A professional wedding photographer will have a wedding vendor list recommended other professionals, to help facilitate and make your wedding day a success.
Does the wedding photographer upload photos from the event to an online wedding gallery and how long after the event are they available to view?
This feature of a wedding photographer’s service satisfies all the family members and of course the bride and groom. Getting “early access” to the memories of your wedding day increases the anticipation for your personalized wedding album and prints.
What style of wedding photography will be used and with what format does the wedding photographer shoot?
Wedding photography comes in varieties or styles that include traditional wedding photography, wedding photography photojournalism, wedding photography documentary, wedding photography full color or black and white. With regard to a wedding photographer’s format be sure to ask if the wedding photography will be shot with digital camera, film, or both? You want to know these things so that you can communicate with this person what you like and don't like.
These are the top five question to ask your wedding photographer. They are not exhaustive by any means but an excellent start in making your wedding day a huge success.
Michelle Noel - www.michellenoelphoto.com
