Choosing a wedding photographer

My wife and I were blessed during our wedding to have an experienced, professional photographer cover the event, provide excellent customer service and deliver wonderful images. After the music played, the vows were exchanged, the cake was eaten, the tuxes returned and the dress packed away, what do we have left? Other than everlasting love (cue sappy music), we have the photographs of our special day. Having a few displayed around the house remind us of how our crazy journey began. Maybe sadly, they also remind us how young we used to look! The point is, out of all the expenses of that day, the photographs are the most tangible reminder of what happened.

So how important are wedding photographs? That really depends on the couple. I think in many cases, maybe because cameras are so ubiquitous (the one in my cell phone has the same resolution as my first digital point-and-shoot!) that choosing a photographer might be an afterthought for some. That means it's not given the budget it deserves, and couples end up scrimping on one of the only enduring parts of the ceremony (besides the marriage).

If you are engaged, soon to be engaged or are unhappy with the results your wedding photographer provided, the following list is for you. While re-enacting an entire wedding to replace botched pictures isn't practical, a post-ceremony couples session might be in order. Kind of like an engagement portrait session for married people!

Choosing a Wedding Photographer
I've broken the process down into four categories, with a suggested question or two to ask potential photographers in each grouping.

1. Pick someone who can provide results
Look at photographers' portfolios and pay attention to see if the main subjects are in focus, evenly and well lit. Look at the images one at a time and decide if they are pleasing to you. Providing results is a mix of experience and knowledge, but also the equipment used. The often dark lighting during ceremonies, flash photography being prohibited during many of them and the need to be ready at all times requires a knowledgeable person with pro-quality equipment. Sure, it's ultimately about the photographer when it comes to taking pictures. But a good photographer will have the best system that suits them for getting the job done well and consistently.
Questions: How long have you been a professional photographer? How do you handle taking pictures in a dark venue?

2. Service
Customer service is so important to me. I believe in a photography business, one of the most important aspects of customer service is a contract signed by both parties that spells out clearly the expectations, requirements and what will be photographed and delivered as a final product. A contract is protection for both the clients and the photographer that there will be consequences when promises are broken. It's a little trickier to judge whether a photographer will follow through on the contracted promises. One way to gauge his or her reliability is to ask for a referral from previous clients.
Questions: Do you require a signed contract? How important is customer service in your business?

3. Personality
You don't have to become friends with your photographer, but it helps if that person is friendly and outgoing. Someone who can take charge (but not be controlling or bossy) is essential to getting the job done, especially when it comes to getting the group shots of friends, family and the bridal party. It's essential to agree on all elements of the contract, but there could be differences that aren't necessarily a deal-breaker. Bottom line, does the photographer seem willing to work with you, agreeing to meet your needs or in accommodating a special request?
Question: What is your favorite part about photographing weddings?

4. Budget
The money you have to spend on your wedding photography is an important concern. I don't think there's a magic number that is the "right" amount to spend. I could make up something, like spend at least four times the cost of the bridal gown on photos, but that's just grabbing air. Consider what you'd like for the final product. Artful wall prints? An elegant wedding album? A CDs or DVDs of all the images? Consider what you'd like photographs of (getting ready, the ceremony, formal group shots, candid photos of the day, the reception, etc. etc. etc.). Consider what will remain after the day is over. Besides love for your new spouse meant to last a lifetime, you might have an old white dress in a box, the cake topper in the freezer for a year, and ... the photographs. The images could be inspirational and important to you, but also future generations. Imagine being able to show your children what your wedding day was like. The archival printing processes are so advanced, that your children's children could be treated to a look into how weddings were so many years before they are viewing them. That means that the photographs could very well gain value over time. Not to mention the way they will serve as a record of all the other people at your wedding. Crazy, huh?
Question: How much will it cost me to have __________ photographed, taking about ___ hours, and then have the images masterfully delivered as a ___________.

It's important that you develop your own set of questions to ask potential photographers, too. But think of a few questions for yourself: How will I feel if I don't have any pictures of my wedding at all? How will I feel if the pictures I have taken look horrible, all blurry and dark with no thought to composition, and the photographer missed so many of the shots I told her to get! Should I spend more on the photographer and maybe less on the DJ or finger foods? All things you have to answer for yourself.

I would love to be considered as your wedding photographer, and would be happy to answer all your questions! Give me a shout at todd@toddovermanphoto.com or 817-675-1143.