Wedding Layers

Selecting somebody for a very personal, and (hopefully) once in a lifetime job needn’t be stressful chore. By allowing time and by adequately preparing, you can make sure that you’ve done all that is reasonably within your power to make the right choice.

The challenge

You only have one chance, just one day to make everything work, and it involves the photographer working with and getting the best out of a large number of potentially chaotic variables including the weather, the location / the venue, the guests, and of course you and your partner!

So what variables do you, the potential bride or groom need to deal with in advance, to make sure you can select a photographer who can comfortably rise to the challenge, delight you with their service, and provide you with lasting good feelings about and memories of the wedding experience?

THE CHECKLIST

Here’s a general checklist that you might want to use as a basis for the selection of your wedding photographer:

Initial Sweep and Selection

Wedding photographers will advertise locally, but if you can get a recommendation from a good friend or member of the family, then all the better. Websites can also provide a good way to view some of the photographer’s work, gather some useful information, and perhaps read some testimonials.

The main thing to remember is to try and set up a meeting where you can ask questions face to face, and see some good, recent examples of their work.

The Timescales

Good wedding photographers have a busy schedule so try and book them a long time in advance of the wedding date.

You will need to find out how long the wedding photographer intends to stay at the wedding and reception.

It’s also worth finding asking how long it will be after the wedding before the proofs will be available for you to look at.

The Person

When you meet your prospective photographer(s), you will get a good impression of whether you and your family will be able to get along with them, whether they are helpful and approachable, and whether you can have any kind of rapport with them – this will be important on your wedding day.

If possible, make sure the photographer is presentable and tidy.

If they have any references you can read, ask to see them.

A good wedding photographer should be able to anticipate and be immediately forthcoming about the main things you want to ask and know about the whole process – this will be sign of experience.

The Experience

Find out whether the prospective photographer is a wedding specialist, how long they’ve been a wedding photographer and roughly how many weddings have they been the photographer for / how frequently . These points will give a good indication of whether you’re on the right track.

It’s also worth finding out whether they have experience of your particular wedding location and venues, and whether they can work well with any other parties who may be involved e.g. caterers or co-ordinators.

Style, Scope and Appearance

Choose a photographer who can shoot well in the style(s) that you would like e.g. traditional or reportage. Make sure they can produce a good selection of photos within the chosen style e.g. portraits, groups, formal, close up, mid distance, full length etc. If you require any effects e.g. sepia, make sure the photographer can accommodate your requests.

The Quality

Find out if the prospective photographer is a member of a society / association e.g. the Guild of Wedding Photographers, if they have a professional qualification, any photographic awards or special recognition (particularly for wedding photography) – these are good signs. Also, find out what if any guarantee they can offer on their work.

The Evidence

Seek physical evidence to help back up any claims. Ultimately though, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Their photographs will speak a thousand words. Look a selection of their wedding photos. Make sure they can offer a selection from more than one wedding, and make sure you can see photos from a single wedding too i.e. make sure your chosen photographer can tell the ‘story’ of your day in pictures.

Check whether the people in the photos are smiling, look happy and relaxed. Make sure the people are very much in the foreground of the photos where they need to be.

The Backup

Is there any? Does the photographer intend to use an assistant? What if somebody needs to cancel? What are the insurance arrangements if something goes wrong with the pictures? You may not want to think of these things but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

The Viewing & Choosing

Check what the arrangements are once the pictures have been taken. You are bound to want to view them soon after the wedding so check how will you be able to do this e.g. will they be on a website in an online gallery, will they be on contact sheets? How easily can the viewing and choosing be done? Will they help you to choose?

Pricing, Ordering and What You Actually Get

Find out exactly what you are getting – what is the ‘contract’ likely to cover? Agree on the package e.g. the number of photos and the album they’ll be presented in. Find out if there are any extra fees e.g. travel fees, overtime fees. Make sure you’re familiar with the payment policy, arrangement and timescales.

Find out the arrangements and prices for re-ordering, duplicate prints, albums, photos, enlargements etc.

Contact and meet more than one photographer if you can, and make sure you’re matching like with like when looking at the quotes.

In Conclusion

It’s worth spending the time now being thorough and asking the right questions when it comes to finding the person to record the ‘story’ of your wedding day in the way you’d like to remember it. If your selection process is good enough to find someone with the right balance of personality, the ability to work with people, a caring attitude, experience and technical skill, you’ll be more able to relax and enjoy your day, safe in the knowledge that you’re happy memories will be beautifully represented and enhanced by your wedding photographs.

Wedding Photographer Kent
Photographer kent
Wedding Photographers Kent

Author: Paul Stradling
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: US Dollar credit card

Selecting somebody for a very personal, and (hopefully) once in a lifetime job needn’t be stressful chore. By allowing time and by adequately preparing, you can make sure that you’ve done all that is reasonably within your power to make the right choice.

The challenge

You only have one chance, just one day to make everything work, and it involves the photographer working with and getting the best out of a large number of potentially chaotic variables including the weather, the location / the venue, the guests, and of course you and your partner!

So what variables do you, the potential bride or groom need to deal with in advance, to make sure you can select a photographer who can comfortably rise to the challenge, delight you with their service, and provide you with lasting good feelings about and memories of the wedding experience?

THE CHECKLIST

Here’s a general checklist that you might want to use as a basis for the selection of your wedding photographer:

Initial Sweep and Selection

Wedding photographers will advertise locally, but if you can get a recommendation from a good friend or member of the family, then all the better. Websites can also provide a good way to view some of the photographer’s work, gather some useful information, and perhaps read some testimonials.

The main thing to remember is to try and set up a meeting where you can ask questions face to face, and see some good, recent examples of their work.

The Timescales

Good wedding photographers have a busy schedule so try and book them a long time in advance of the wedding date.

You will need to find out how long the wedding photographer intends to stay at the wedding and reception.

It’s also worth finding asking how long it will be after the wedding before the proofs will be available for you to look at.

The Person

When you meet your prospective photographer(s), you will get a good impression of whether you and your family will be able to get along with them, whether they are helpful and approachable, and whether you can have any kind of rapport with them – this will be important on your wedding day.

If possible, make sure the photographer is presentable and tidy.

If they have any references you can read, ask to see them.

A good wedding photographer should be able to anticipate and be immediately forthcoming about the main things you want to ask and know about the whole process – this will be sign of experience.

The Experience

Find out whether the prospective photographer is a wedding specialist, how long they’ve been a wedding photographer and roughly how many weddings have they been the photographer for / how frequently . These points will give a good indication of whether you’re on the right track.

It’s also worth finding out whether they have experience of your particular wedding location and venues, and whether they can work well with any other parties who may be involved e.g. caterers or co-ordinators.

Style, Scope and Appearance

Choose a photographer who can shoot well in the style(s) that you would like e.g. traditional or reportage. Make sure they can produce a good selection of photos within the chosen style e.g. portraits, groups, formal, close up, mid distance, full length etc. If you require any effects e.g. sepia, make sure the photographer can accommodate your requests.

The Quality

Find out if the prospective photographer is a member of a society / association e.g. the Guild of Wedding Photographers, if they have a professional qualification, any photographic awards or special recognition (particularly for wedding photography) – these are good signs. Also, find out what if any guarantee they can offer on their work.

The Evidence

Seek physical evidence to help back up any claims. Ultimately though, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Their photographs will speak a thousand words. Look a selection of their wedding photos. Make sure they can offer a selection from more than one wedding, and make sure you can see photos from a single wedding too i.e. make sure your chosen photographer can tell the ‘story’ of your day in pictures.

Check whether the people in the photos are smiling, look happy and relaxed. Make sure the people are very much in the foreground of the photos where they need to be.

The Backup

Is there any? Does the photographer intend to use an assistant? What if somebody needs to cancel? What are the insurance arrangements if something goes wrong with the pictures? You may not want to think of these things but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

The Viewing & Choosing

Check what the arrangements are once the pictures have been taken. You are bound to want to view them soon after the wedding so check how will you be able to do this e.g. will they be on a website in an online gallery, will they be on contact sheets? How easily can the viewing and choosing be done? Will they help you to choose?

Pricing, Ordering and What You Actually Get

Find out exactly what you are getting – what is the ‘contract’ likely to cover? Agree on the package e.g. the number of photos and the album they’ll be presented in. Find out if there are any extra fees e.g. travel fees, overtime fees. Make sure you’re familiar with the payment policy, arrangement and timescales.

Find out the arrangements and prices for re-ordering, duplicate prints, albums, photos, enlargements etc.

Contact and meet more than one photographer if you can, and make sure you’re matching like with like when looking at the quotes.

In Conclusion

It’s worth spending the time now being thorough and asking the right questions when it comes to finding the person to record the ‘story’ of your wedding day in the way you’d like to remember it. If your selection process is good enough to find someone with the right balance of personality, the ability to work with people, a caring attitude, experience and technical skill, you’ll be more able to relax and enjoy your day, safe in the knowledge that you’re happy memories will be beautifully represented and enhanced by your wedding photographs.

Wedding Photographer Kent
Photographer kent
Wedding Photographers Kent

Author: Paul Stradling
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty rates

You will certainly need to hire at least a wedding photographer. As for your other wedding vendors, you will try to evaluate if their services match what you require and need. You will also need to meet the photographers in person in order to select the most suitable one for you. In fact, interviewing a photographer is not as easy as it seems. In this article, the ways to interview a wedding photographer will be discussed.

Before you contact the potential photographers, you will make a list of them. You can collect the contact information of them from bridal magazines and on the web. You will certainly use search engine to search for the photographers. You should remember to be specific when you are searching. You may use the keywords “wedding photographer” with the place you are living in so that you can confine the search results into your local photographers.

You can start contact the photographers when your list is completed. You will firstly contact them for a brief meeting. This meeting will be somehow like an interview. You will interview the photographer and try to evaluate if a photographer suits you. You may also visit the website of the photographers beforehand and choose some photos you like and request to see the real ones.

As discussed, the purpose of the meeting is to evaluate if a photographer suits your requirement. As a result, it is very important to let him or her know what your thoughts are. You need to tell him or her exactly what you want and need. They should be able to give you some constructive suggestions on your ideas. The input from the photographer is very important since you will know if he or she is good enough for your wedding from his or her opinions. You may even find that the photographer may have some good suggestions which you have never been thinking of before.

The style of the photos the photographer takes is also an essential issue. You will study the portfolio of the photographer during the meeting. You need to make sure that you are not presented with the photos which have been taken long ago. You need to see the recent photos since only these photos can reflect the recent style and works of the photographer.

You may also ask if there can be references from some recent clients of the photographer. This is always important since his or her clients will have first hand experience on the services provided by the photographer. Besides, only by doing this you will know that the photos in the portfolio of the photographer are from real jobs with clients. Although it is important and a good idea to ask for reference, you will have to be very careful about what they say. You need to be critical towards their opinions since they may be in favor of the photographer. You should doubt if you have a feeling that the comments on the photographers are too perfect to be true.

Jerry Leung is a wedding invitation designer with great interest in Chinese Style Wedding cards. He designs Custom Wedding Invitations. Besides, he runs a blog on weddings to share his ideas on items such as Vintage Wedding Gown and Dress. You can also find Indian Wedding Cards and Invitations from his website.

Author: Jerry Leung
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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So you are getting married and there are so many things to do. You have the hall, your dress, flowers, invitations and now it comes time to hire your photographer.

After doing some research on the web and “hanging out” on different wedding sites I have found that most brides are looking for more or less the same things. What follows is sort of a wish list of things couples want from their wedding photographer.

10. Negatives/Digital Files – One thing that couples want these days is the opportunity to purchase or have included in their package the option to buy the negatives or (in the case of digital) the digital files. Many couples feel that they should be able to make as many re-prints as they would like, whenever they want. While many photographers do offer their negatives, many do not and feel that the labs that they use will be able to give a higher quality print rather than just taking a negative to the local drug store for printing. In addition, many photographers will sell their negatives after a certain amount of time, for example a year after your wedding date.

9. Black and White – Everything old is new again. Almost all couples want a mixture of color and black and white. Black and white gives that photojournalistic look to a photograph as well as a fine art look. If your photographer is shooting digital, any photograph can be converted to black and white. If your photographer is shooting film then most likely they will be shooting with B&W and color film separately.

8. Unlimited Time – When hiring a photographer couple like to have the security of someone who will be with them to capture all of the wedding moments. Having unlimited time can give you the peace of mind to know that those moments will be captured.

7. Experience – Does your photographer have the necessary experience to handle the stresses of wedding photography? There are many things going on at once during a wedding. The experienced photographer knows how to bring everything together and in an orderly fashion.

6. Price – This can vary a lot and price was not the main criteria in choosing a photographer. Prices can range from several hundred dollars to over $10,000. At the low end are usually people who do wedding photography part time. In wedding photography, you usually get what you pay for. As you go up in price, so does the “art of wedding photography”.

5. Professional – Being a professional means many different things to different people. Those photographers who didn’t respond in a timely manner and/or who were rude (and amazingly, some are) were axed off the potential list immediately. Being professional also meant that couples wanted to know the photographers “style and philosophy”. Things that also bothered couple: rudeness, disorganization, insulting comments about other brides or photographers and other unprofessional comments.

4. Flexibility – Brides put flexibility high on their list. To many flexibility is key. They said, packages are nice, but a photographer that refuses to be flexible, is not going to get very far with brides. Brides also commented that photographers get caught up in the OLD way of doing things, and never change with the times. Again, this relates to being flexible.

3. Style/Approach – Today couples are looking for something different – artsy photojournalism, not the same cheesy photos. Brides are drawn to photographers who have developed their own unique (but consistent) artistic style/approach. Details are very important to brides. They appreciate a photographer who focuses on details.

2. Personality – What can you really say about this. It is obvious. When you spend upwards of 10 hours with someone on an important day like your wedding you had better clique. Brides often said that they “just knew” when they met their photographer that they were right for each other.

1. Listen – And the number thing that kept on coming up was that brides wanted from their photographer was that they “LISTEN”.
This means that a photographer really heard what a bride said before they stated speaking about the next topic. This is really important because it is the ability to understand what a client wants that will make a photographer really deliver what a bride was expecting.

So there you have the top ten. So, when you go shopping for a photographer see how he/she measures up in each of the categories listed here. Remember, your wedding is a once in a lifetime event. Take your time, enjoy the process and you will find the perfect photographer for you.

Jack Saadys love of photography, fashion and family is the gift he brings to your engagement and wedding day. In order to capture all of the love, time, care and effort that go into planning your wedding, you want a photographer whose work preserves your story with depth and passion. http://www.jbsphotography.com

Author: Jack Saady
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The followings are 5 points you need to consider when you are selecting your wedding photographer

1 The budget

The very first thing you need to consider when choosing the photographer is your budget. A higher budget does not necessarily mean that you will have better photos or a better photographer. You should never make the decision only by the price. You may want to get some of the photos the photographers took in the past and see if they are reliable. Considering both the price and reliability will lead to a wise decision.

2 Hiring two photographers

You should spend your money on two photographers instead of one. Two photographers who both charge you a low price can be better than one who charges you a lot.

The reason for hiring two people is that even the best photographer may sometimes make mistakes but you can only have your wedding once. One real case is that I have a friend who works as a wedding photographer. He usually works on his own and in one case there was something wrong with his camera and he did not know that when he was taking the photos. He only realized the problem when the photos were all developed and printed. Due to the problem of the camera, the photos are all in a mess.

In the above case it would be a lot safer if two photographers were hired. It will be really a rare case that the cameras of both of them are having problems. Some photo studios may offer packages of two or even three photographers and you should always ask if they will provide you with more than one photographer.

3 Personality of the photographer

A wedding photographer will need to meet many people and guests in your wedding. His or her personality should play an essential role in order to make your decision. A photographer with bad temper may ruin both your wedding and the wedding photos. Both of you and your guests will suffer if the photographer is very impolite.

You will need to meet and talk with the photographer for a few times so that you can have a rough idea for her / his temper. Of course it is something you need to be careful but most photographers should have good tempers and be very polite.

4 The style

The forth point you need to consider is the style of the photos. Whether you will like snapshots or more journalistic style is totally up to you. However, it will be really a pity if you finally find the style of the photos is not what you like after the wedding.

Making up your mind for the style beforehand is always a good idea. You can even hire photographers with different styles so that you can get collections of wedding photos in different styles. You should communicate with the photographers and take reference to their past works so that you can make your decision.

5 The photo album

You will certainly get photo albums from the photographer when the photos are developed and printed. You should take extra care on the quality of the albums. Quality here means both aesthetic and durability. The album should be beautiful. What is more important is that it should also be durable.

You cannot imagine if the album becomes a mess after one or two years. The album should be something you will keep for your whole life. Again, you can ask the studios or photographers to give you samples of their albums so that you can evaluate if the albums they provide are of high quality.

It is not very difficult to evaluate the photographers. Once you make up your mind, you should inform the photographer as soon as possible. Otherwise if he / she gets another job on the same day as your wedding, you may need to go through the whole process of selecting wedding photographer again!

Jerry Leung is a wedding invitation designer with great interest in Chinese Style Wedding cards. His works are in 983 Wedding Invitation You can also find lists of wedding vendors from Wedding Tips Websites

Author: Jerry Leung
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty

I’m soon to be doing wedding photography as a business, and I was wondering what aspects of your wedding photographer that you liked/disliked. Any other comments & suggestions would be appreciated too.

Weddings are a joyous occasion when family and friends come together to celebrate and toast the happy couple. Planning your wedding day is an all consuming project and there are various guide books to get you off to a productive start. One of the main items on your checklist will be choosing a wedding photographer to record the special moments and capture the atmosphere, wedding dress, bridesmaid’s outfits, wedding party, venues and guests. Photographs are tangible, they don’t go out of date with changing technology, and provide a lasting memory for yourself and future generations to view and cherish.

Tips to help you choose a wedding photographer

It is a good idea to have a clear overview of what you need from your chosen wedding photographer. Questions to ask your self include:

• Would I like a traditional or more contemporary style? Should the emphasis be on formal or un-posed shots?
• Do I require photography taken at home on the morning of the wedding?
• Will all the shots be in colour, or some black and white or maybe others using effects such as sepia toning? Is this something I am happy to leave to the photographer to decide?
• Would I like a copy of the photos on DVD?
• Do I have any special family shots that need to be taken on the day?
• What is my budget?

These questions will help you to create a brief for the photographer when you meet. By establishing this clear brief you will ensure accurate comparative pricing, and on appointment, be sure that the event is captured to suit your requirements, and not those of the photographer.

Finding a photographer

Once you have booked your wedding day and venue, you can start creating a list of photographers to contact. The sooner you do this the better as top photographers get booked up quickly. Recommendations from friends and family are a good starting point, as you can get a first hand account of the photographer’s character, the service provided and their reliability. You can also do a Google search on the Internet for photographers in your local area or in the location where you plan to get married and view their website for additional details.

Contact photographers to qualify your list

To achieve superb quality photographs it is important to find a full time photographer who is well qualified, experienced and, ideally, has previous experience of work in your chosen venue. Make initial contact to check availability on your wedding day and then arrange to meet at your home or their studio. It’s a good idea to take along a friend or family member to get another impartial opinion on the photographer and his work.

Viewing the photographers work

You need to feel absolutely sure that the photographer you choose will capture the essence of your wedding and be able to coax out the best smiles from you and your guests.

• Do they have a flair for making the ordinary appear beautiful
• When viewing samples of the albums, ask yourself, “Do the people in the photographs look happy, relaxed and comfortable?” Postures should be confident and hand placements should look natural.
• Are you able to have a good rapport with the photographer and does he explain things clearly. This is an important aspect as you and your guests will need to take instructions from him regarding pose and positions on the day.
• Do you like their style and do the images tell the story of the Wedding Day?

Questions to Ask

• Confirm that the photographer you meet will be the one actually taking the photos on the day.
• Has he taken photos at the venue before? – ask to see examples.
• Does the photographer have professional indemnity insurance to cover the cost of retaking your photographs if something goes horribly wrong?
• Does the photographer have backup equipment and is it of the same quality as the primary equipment?
• Who will process and develop the film and prints?

Comparing quotes

Make sure you ask each photographer to quote for the same job, working to your brief, allowing you to make a fair comparison of quotations. It is important to understand what you are paying for so check the quotation carefully to establish what is included and what is treated as extras. You will find that you generally get what you pay for, and that more experienced photographers may charge more for their services. Emphasise that the quality of print is most important, and establish whether there will be use of digital photography and if so whether photos can be enlarged or edited. Once you are happy with your choice, ensure you return the signed contract and get the booking confirmed in writing. If booked well in advance, phone a week or so before the big day, to ensure everything is in place, and to fine tune arrangements.

On the day, why not also buy disposable single use cameras and leave them on the dining table for guests to capture their own unique take on the wedding. This is a great way to capture more relaxed moments later in the evening when the official photographer has left.

Beautiful Wedding Photography in Dorset. Courtenay Hitchcock is a Dorset Wedding Photographer with a contemporary, natural and unobtrusive photography style.

http://www.courtenayphotographic.co.uk/

Author: Courtenay Hitchcock
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you’re getting married then first of all, we want to say Congratulations to you and your future spouse. We think it is absolutely wonderful that the two of you have found your soul mate and that you’re now ready to begin your lives as a couple. Although you’re probably looking forward to the big day with much anticipation and excitement, you need to put much thought into selecting your wedding photographer. In fact, hiring a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you have. After all, once the wedding is over and everyone has gone home, the only tangible thing you will have to represent your wedding day are your wedding photographs. So, doesn’t it make sense that you will take much effort in selecting your wedding photographer? We certainly think so. In this article, we’ll teach you how to select a wedding photographer.

1. Evaluate the Photographers Portfolio: Every photographer has their own unique style of picture taking. Some are more traditional and others are more modern and edgy. Choose a photographer that matches your unique style. Chances are if you do not see anything in the photographer’s portfolio that really grabs you, this is not the photographer for you.

2. Watch your Budget. Develop your budget and stick to it but don’t forget to consider such hidden costs such as location fees, overtime, extra print charges and package inclusions. Discuss all hidden fees before you sign on the dotted line. Also, make sure that you compare rates in order to get the best value for your money.

3. Ask for referrals. Photographers develop a reputation, good or bad so it is important to ask around and see which photographer is well known for professionalism and quality of work. Ask friends, family and acquaintances who they would recommend.

4. Check for Compatibility. It may seem like a minor detail when you are looking for a photographer but on your wedding day with all the stress and nerves, it will be very important that you choose a photographer that you are compatible with. Choose a photographer that is easy to get along with, will deal with your wedding guests in a professional and friendly manner. Part of the job of the wedding photographer is to make you at ease on your wedding day so that the photographs are as perfect as possible. If you don’t like your wedding photographer during the planning stages and his/her personality bothers you, that feeling will magnify on your wedding day.

5. Know their skills and check equipment. Inquire about the type of equipment your photographer will be using and who will be doing the photofinishing. You want to make sure you select a wedding photographer that uses modern and reliable equipment which will insure that your wedding day goes off without a hitch. Also, some photographers do their own photo development while many send your film out to a professional photo developer. Either can be fine as long as whoever is taking care of your wedding photographs is a professional and has the skill to develop high quality wedding pictures.

In conclusion, you can select the perfect wedding photographer if you evaluate the photographer’s portfolio, watch your budget, ask for referrals, and make sure that they have a complimentary personality, and that they have the right equipment and technical skills. Once you do this, you can hire them and enjoy the moment.

Yolanda is the owner of Yolandas Wedding Favors. She sells many different types of bridesmaid gifts such as tote bags, cosmetic bags, spa slippers and much more. So whether if you are looking for wedding favors such as candle favors, beach wedding favors, silver wedding favors and much more. Then visit Yolandas Wedding Favors.

Author: Yolanda Nash
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Questions are GOOD! The more questions you ask, the more involved you become, the more informed both you and your photographer are, the smoother the process will be.

I love it when I get ‘fussy’ brides. It means that I know exactly what they want, they feel assured I know what they want – the more demanding the bride before the day, the better I like it!

So here’s my top ten questions to ask:

1 – Will you adjust your style to suit what I want?

Answer – within reason. Any professional photographer would rather pass a non-fitting client on to a more-suited colleague than try and be something they are not, just to keep a job. But flexibility is of course essential, too! Be sure before you meet that the photographer’s style is what you are looking for – and if you change your mind whilst viewing more of their work, do not be afraid to say so. It saves everyone time!

2 – What is your method of working on the day?

Answer – there is no right answer to this, but your photographer should have a very clear and experienced idea of the layout of a wedding day, how they will cover each part, which parts they will control and which parts they will allow to flow around them. As long as they’re not hesitating and fudging over what actually will happen, it is down to your judgement to decide whether their answer matches your wishes.

3 – What is your back up plan?

Ask for details – its easy to say ‘oh, don’t worry, I have it covered’, but really, what will they do if they break their leg the day before your wedding? You need to believe they have genuine back up available. Working with other good local photographers also means they are respected professionally, which is a great testimonial in itself.

4 – How long does the photographer anticipate the family formals and the bridal formals will take?

Answer – Again, there is no right or wrong answer to this – just a matching of your own expectations. There is no point in hiring a photographer who takes the most beautiful bridal portrait images if it takes them over an hour of posing to get them, when you only want to leave your guests for 15 minutes. Equally, if those posed beautiful images are what you desire, don’t choose a pure photojournalist photographer who will only take 5 minutes.

5 – How many weddings have you shot?

There are no guarantees of course, but do a job often enough and you can’t help but learn it well. And how many as opposed to how long is a far better indicator – your photographer could have been a brilliant studio photographer for 20 years, but only shot 10 weddings in that time. Meaning they’re a great photographer, but very inexperienced at wedding photography.

There is also the practice of ‘second shooting’ which is where photographers gain experience by tagging along at a wedding and assisting a ‘main’ photographer. It’s a great way to create a fab portfolio of wedding images, but working your own wedding as a main photographer is an entirely different experience.

6 – Will there be a contract of the services to be provided?

Answer – should be an emphatic yes! You should require a contract from your photographer that details what services they will be providing, pricing, cancellation policy, delivery expectations etc. A contract is created for your protection, and for the wedding photographer’s protection. Be wary of investing your cash in photographers that “don’t usually bother with a formal contract.”

7 – Do you have insurance?

Answer – It may seem an insignificant thing now, but professional wedding photographers should have the proper insurance for their business. Insurance means that if anything hideous occurs, the photographer is insured to restage the photographs for you. It also protects the photographer against equipment theft, of course. But most importantly to you it provides liability protection in case Aunty Mildred trips over the photographer’s bag and breaks her hip. If a wedding photographer does not have insurance, chances are that they are either new to the industry, or simply aren’t taking their business seriously.

8 – How long do you work on the day?

Answer – again, no right or wrong answer, but one you need to weigh up in importance to you personally. Many photographers charge extra for the evening, some have strict hour limits, some will work on to their own discretion. It doesn’t really matter, you just need to know in advance.

9 – What about the pictures?

Answer – When you ask to see a sample of wedding albums, makes sure you see a complete album of photographs from one wedding, rather than a collection of good pictures from a selection of weddings. Look carefully at the photos to check how shots are set up – can you see a selection of tidy, well organised group shots, and are all of the group positioned in the shot, or have people been missed off at the edges? Do the people in the photographs look relaxed, happy and comfortable? It is helpful to check not only the bride and groom but also the friends and relations in the photos.

10 – Would you feel happy owning your version of the pictures you are shown?

A question that only you can answer. If the answer is “yes” then you have probably found your perfect wedding photographer.

Courtenay Hitchcock is a Dorset Wedding Photographer with a contemporary, natural and unobtrusive photography style. Beautiful Wedding Photography in Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

Author: Courtenay Hitchcock
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

Tip 1 – It’s the biggest day of your life, don’t rely on ‘Uncle Bob’ to take your photos.

You may be lucky and have Yervant as your uncle, but most of us don’t have the worlds’ best wedding photographer as our uncle.

When looking for a photographer to capture your wedding, ask them what sort of equipment they will use – do they have backup equipment – do they have professional insurance? Price can be a factor for many brides, but try not to skimp on your photography budget. After all, you only get one chance to have your wedding photographed. If you choose a photographer based purely on price, then you may be disappointed in the results. Especially if this ‘budget’ photographer doesn’t use professional gear, then you pictures will look like Uncle Bob took them.

You deserve the best images possible – hire a pro who knows what they are doing, so you can relax.

Tip 2 – Engagement Sessions.

Many people ask me – ‘what is an engagement session?’

Well, it’s become a trend in the last few years for brides and grooms to have a fun session with just the photographer at some point before their wedding. Not only does this produce some wonderful images of the couple in a ‘non-wedding’ environment, but it gives you a chance to get a feel for how your photographer will operate on the day.

By knowing what to expect, you’ll be more relaxed and able to enjoy your wedding.

Tip 3 – Timings.

You’d be surprised how many couples don’t know how long their ceremony will last. How long will it take to get to the reception from the church, what time will the receiving line start, how long will the brides hair and make-up take to be done.

All these things (and more) should be thought about and planned for when thinking about your wedding. Sit down with all your suppliers and find out how long it will take to complete each stage of your wedding day. That way you’ll know how long you can have for the photographs.

Once you have all the timings, add 10 minutes to each and you won’t end up running around trying to catch up on the day. After the ceremony, this is less important, but it is vital for lead up.

Less rushing about = more enjoyment.

Tip 4 – Weather.

You can’t control the weather on your wedding day, but you can make some general assumptions. Take into consideration the season, many people when they plan their wedding in the summer forget what time it gets dark in the winter. By having the ceremony at, say, 4pm, then all the images after wards will be in the dark -if you wanted to be outdoors.

A professional photographer is capable of producing excellent images, even in challenging conditions. Don’t worry if the weather is inclement on your wedding day. Some of the most memorable wedding images I’ve produced have been in less that romantic weather conditions.

Tip 5 – Children.

Kids make cute wedding pictures – they are great! However, do be realistic in your expectations of what sort of behavior you will get from them.

Most kids love being photographed, but they can be a little shy at first when they see the camera. If you have kids, try to introduce them to the photographer before the wedding so they get a chance to know them.

Tip 6 – Scrapbook.

I make a point of telling all my bridal couples to keep a scrapbook of wedding images that they love. While you hire a wedding photographer on the merits of their work, your photographer should also produce images that YOU want. Let them know if there were images in their portfolio you didn’t like, but also let them know what images they have shown you that you do like.

Having a scrapbook of favorite images helps the photographer give you what you want.

Tip 7 – Details.

Everyone remembers the big moments from your wedding day, but the story is in the details. Make sure your photographer can also show you examples of detail shots from various weddings. In a wedding album, detail shots are the glue that holds the star images together to bring the whole story of your wedding to life.

Tip 8 – Recommendations.

Nothing speaks louder about a photographer’s ability than their testimonials. What have other brides and grooms had to say about your photographer?

I keep an extensive collection of recommendations from previous clients to help prospective couples be assured that I am actually capable of producing outstanding images AND being pleasant to be around (the two don’t always go hand in hand).

Tip 9 – See a full wedding.

You’d be surprised how many people are out there who will quite happily steal others work and pass it off as their own. If you see a photographer with only a few, admittedly outstanding, images on-line and a price that’s too good to be true – it probably it.

You should always ask to see a full wedding, not just an album, but the FULL wedding. That way you can gauge the constancy level of your photographer. There is no point in hiring someone based on 5 great images if they are only capable of creating 5 great images per wedding and the rest are duds.

Tip 10 – Get along with your photographer.

Probably the most important.

If you don’t gel with your photographer when you meet with them to discuss booking them (and you did meet them in person right?), then don’t book them – no matter how talented they are, or tempting the price. The number one most important, utterly non negotiable factor influencing the quality of your wedding photos is you. If you feel uncomfortable with your wedding photographer, this will show in your faces, no matter how talented the photographer is.

Choose a photographer not only on talent, but how you get along with them.

A bride mentioned to me the other day that out of all the suppliers for her wedding, the photographer feels most like a guest. They are there around you all the time, they mingle with your guests, they aren’t hidden behind a kitchen door, they are working from the first moment of your day till almost the last. If you wouldn’t have them as a guest at your wedding, then don’t hire them as your wedding photographer.

Alex Kilbee is a wedding photographer who has been shooting weddings both in South Africa and his native England for 10 years. He is currently working as a Suffolk photographer.

Author: Alex Kilbee
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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