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