I'll try here to give a few basic tips on choosing the photographer who will best capture your precious moments for you.
First and foremost, fine photography is not cheap. When you see a $300 wedding photographer, don't walk away from them... run. The amount of work and talent involved in shooting a wedding and then editing and cropping afterwards is enormous. Your photographer will expect to be compensated for his or her time, talent, experience, and equipment. While the most expensive may not always be the right choice, one should be leery of the bargain basement photographers.
Ask to see examples of the photographers work. A competent photographer should have a portfolio that they are dying to show off. If your photographer doesn't have examples, it is a very good sign that they are inexperienced and won't perform to your satisfaction.
Look at their equipment. Does their camera say "Rebel"? While the Canon Rebel isn't a bad camera, remember that it is an entry-level camera. Same goes with the Nikon that you see for sale at many discount stores. While having an entry level camera doesn't mean that the photographer doesn't know what they are doing, it does have limitations over (or under) the more professional cameras.
Does your photographer have a second shooter (assistant), or do they work alone? If they work alone, how do they plan on capturing the shots from different angles? Will they be moving around the chapel a lot and distracting guests? Is your photographer willing to work within the guidelines set forth by clergy on shooting? If your clergy doesn’t allow flash during the ceremony, how does your photographer intend to capture the shot and have it properly exposed? Does your photographer have backup equipment in case of equipment failure? Is this equipment the same quality as the primary equipment? What time will they begin shooting and how late will they stay? What lenses do they have? Do they have telephoto and wide-angle lenses? Do they do their own processing or do they rely on others to process the prints?
Ask for referrals. Nothing says more than to actually be able to speak to previous clients who were satisfied with the results of their wedding photographer. When speaking to previous clients, ask questions... why did you choose this photographer? What did you really like about his or her work? Did the photographer spend time with you prior to the day of the wedding and discuss different options? In short, determine that the photographer wasn't chosen because they were someone's cousin, brother, sister, or other relative, but because of their qualifications.
Are they licensed? Are they a member of your local Chamber of Commerce? Check with the better business bureau to check on complaints. Does your prospective photographer have an independent website, or are they found only on a free social site like facebook? Is their email linked to a dedicated business site, or is it somebody@hotmail.com, nobodyspecial@yahoo.com, or some other public access free email? While I am not saying that these people don’t know what they’re doing or aren’t professional because they don’t have a website of their own, you will find that most professionals do have their own website, whereas many of the GWC’s (guys with camera/girls with camera) don’t.
Remember, your wedding, whether your first or not, will only happen once. If these treasured moments aren't captured properly, they are lost.
I wish you and your future spouse a lifetime of happiness and treasured memories.
Stan
A birth certificate shows we were born
A death certificate shows we died
Pictures show that we lived… ®
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