| Once a wedding date has been set, one of the | | | | that is just starting out with his/her business. In |
| first tasks of the future married couple is to line | | | | this case they may take terrific pictures and their |
| up a photographer to take what they hope will be | | | | prices are still in line with what you can afford. |
| priceless and cherished pictures - ones that you | | | | 3. Before signing a contract with a wedding |
| and others will look at for many years. | | | | photographer, be sure you always read the fine |
| If the saying "a picture is worth a thousand | | | | print of the contract so you know the services |
| words" holds any truth, your wedding pictures will | | | | that you will be getting. Never leave it to chance |
| be especially important to you. Many couples | | | | and assume a photographer is going to perform |
| mistakenly think of wedding pictures as the | | | | his/her photographic duties the way you think |
| staged pictures of the bride, groom and the | | | | they will. If you have extra requests or needs, be |
| wedding party. Start thinking of your total set of | | | | sure they are written in the contract. Once your |
| wedding pictures as a memoribilia that tells a | | | | day goes by it is too late to quibble over what |
| story of a bride and groom's special day - in | | | | should have been photographed. Better to have |
| preparation for, during and the final moments | | | | no surprises and that means a solid contract |
| before the honeymoon. | | | | agreed upon by both parties. |
| Because your wedding will be in front of possibly | | | | 4. Choose a photographer that is open to what |
| hundreds of your closest family and friends, | | | | you as a couple would like as far as your |
| choosing a wedding photographer to visually | | | | photographer's duties. Some wedding |
| document your special day should be taken very | | | | photographers have been doing weddings a long |
| seriously. Forget about having your cousin's best | | | | time and can get somewhat immune to the |
| friend who "takes great pictures". Your day must | | | | wishes of the couple, the wedding party and |
| be put into the hands of a professional, perferably | | | | guests. Select a photographer that is easy going |
| the best you can find for your budget. | | | | and can take a little direction if needed. On the |
| Here some questions and factors to consider | | | | other hand, don't try to tell the wedding |
| before making the commitment to hiring the | | | | photographer how to do his/her job. A happy |
| services of a wedding photographer. | | | | medium is desireable. |
| 1. What will the style of your wedding be? Will it | | | | 5. Finally, (and this is an important one) be sure to |
| be formal, informal, or semi-formal? The answer | | | | ask to see a complete portfolio of the wedding |
| to this simple question will play a key role in hiring | | | | photographers work. Be certain that is the style |
| the best photographer. For example, if your | | | | you would like. Sometimes photographers will |
| wedding will be in a formal setting, hire a wedding | | | | "farm out" weddings and send another |
| photographer that is traditional in their | | | | photographer that acts as a subcontractor for |
| photographic style. Traditional photographers tend | | | | the photo studio. Be sure you ask exactly who |
| to notice and consider details when it comes to | | | | will be the photographer on site that day and ask |
| photography, angles of shots they take, balance, | | | | to see their portfolios as well. Remember, the |
| etc. | | | | best wedding photos are the ones where there |
| 2. Photographers can vary greatly in price. That is | | | | are no surprises on the part of the bride and |
| why it is important to set a budget and adhere to | | | | groom. |
| it as closely as you can. Often you can apply the | | | | Proper thought and research when choosing your |
| saying "you get what you pay for" but not | | | | wedding photographer will result in some of the |
| always. Expensive photographers generally are | | | | most memorable pictures of your lifetime. Good |
| high in quality but you may be able to find one | | | | luck! |