Choosing Your Wedding Photographer

The professional wedding photographer is the person that is creating a lasting memory of the most important day of your life, so the decision of which photographer to choose should not be taken lightly.

What Type of Wedding Photographer Do You Want?

You may be thinking - eh? If someone is a Wedding Photographer, isn't that enough? - well the answer is no, not necessarily.   Some may specialise in 'formal' or 'traditional' wedding photography, whilst others have a great deal of experience working with children - particularly important if you have children attending your wedding who you want to play a major part in the photographs.  Alternatively, you may prefer more casual informal shots, with just a few, specific close family group posed pictures.

What Do You Get For Your Money?

Make sure you discuss fully what you will get for your money.
Some photographers may charge a 'fee for the day' which on the face of it could be very reasonably priced, but the actual cost of getting your hands on any of your photographs may not be included & could therefore leave a very big whole in your budget. Things to consider:

What packages are available?
Do they include a 'pre-wedding' shoot?
Do you want any Bride / Groom 'getting ready' shots?
Do you want any pictures of your first dance?
Do you want any pictures of your evening reception / guests?
Take care to ensure you compare 'like for like' when considering the price.

Will you get a CD of all of your pictures (assuming you have chosen a photographer using digital technology) included within the price, or is it an 'extra'?

Do You Get / Want An Album?
If yes, what type? e.g Leather bound, digitally printed etc
How many pictures will be included? Can you add more & at what cost?
Do you get any 'smaller / mini' albums for parents?

The introduction of Digital Photography has dramatically changed things - nowadays you can easily find yourself having to choose from over 500 pictures, something I experienced myself in May 2008 & believe me, getting down to 40 or 50 shots to go in an album is no small task. It took my husband & I the best part of 4 hours !

Ask For Recommendations / View Their Portfolio

Take the time to ask for recommendations not only from friends & family, but from your shortlist of photographers too. 
Look through their portfolios - does their style meet with your approval ?  If you look at all of the photographs that they show you and you cannot picture yourself in any of the poses or do not like them, then chances are you will not like the photographs that they take of you either.

Price

Finally, please remember that the photographs will be your key to long lasting memories. Price, whilst an important consideration, shouldn't be the main influence behind your choice. You cannot 'redo' your pictures if they do not meet up to your expectations / approval & certainly wouldn't want to be left relying on guest's pocket camera photos to be your main keepsake items.