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