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Finding the Right Photographer

Shop Around  We recommend that you explore several photographers before making a final decision.  There are many excellent photographers who offer a variety of services, styles and prices, and you should take the time to explore your options.  Always meet with any photographer that you are considering for hire before you sign an agreement.  Even when a photographer has a great web site, or comes highly recommended, meeting with him or her will help you make the best choice for your wedding.

Look at a Portfolio When meeting with a photographer, ask to see a portfolio of images from an entire wedding and not just the "best of" from several weddings.  This will give you a better idea of the services you will be receiving.

Know Who’s Photographing Your Wedding Make sure that any portfolio images you view are created by the photographer that will be working for you.  Some larger studios use assistant photographers, so be sure that you know who will be shooting your event and look at that photographer’s portfolio.

Check a Potential Photographers Record Ask for references from past or present clients, and check with local organizations like the Better Business Bureau and the IPN for the photographer’s membership and reputation.

Communication is Important A photographer’s personality and ability to communicate are often as important as their creativity and technical ability.  When meeting with a potential photographer, pay attention to how he or she interacts with you, and vice versa.  Envision yourself working with this person for several hours, and in the case of your wedding, very important hours!

Price is Important Few of us have unlimited budgets but cost should not be the only consideration.  Flexibility of services offered should be taken into account, as well as the value you receive for the money you spend.  When working on a very tight budget, finding a talented new photographer who is working on building a portfolio can be a great option.  When working with a larger budget consider the quality of service, and the experience, style, and reputation of the photographer.  Either way, just be sure to take the time to research the studio and photographer!

Have Realistic Expectations While photographers have many tools to help overcome problems like very dark churches, glare on glasses and so forth, there are limitations.  Understanding these limitations prior to your event will help in planning and communication.  Ask your potential photographer what the limitations are with your event.  A good photographer will tell you what he or she can and cannot do.

How to Make Wedding Photography Flow Smoothly

Give Yourself Plenty of Time Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready on your wedding day.  Create a timeline of events for yourself, as well as your wedding party and family.  Give a copy to everyone who is involved with the planning stages of your wedding so that everyone is on the same page.

Designate an assistant A close friend or family member, who is not in the wedding party, will be perfect to act as the liaison between the wedding party and the professionals involved with you wedding.  Ideally, this person should be familiar with your wedding plans (including the ceremony, reception and photography), and should know family and friends on both the bride and groom’s side.  He or she will enable you to do what you need to in order to get ready for your wedding by taking care of items needing attention.

Create a Shot List Organize a list of the photographs you would like taken of family and friends and provide this list for everyone who will be in the photos, as well as the photographer (we have a form for our clients).  A shot list, including names, will help the photo session run more smoothly and therefore more quickly!

Have Family Arrive Early Be sure to inform all family members whom you want photographed for formals to be prepared to arrive early and spend up to 120 minutes with the photographer.  This is particularly important if you have a large family or you are planning to have all the formals photographed before the ceremony begins. 

Consider the Alternatives While tradition dictates that the groom does not see the bride prior to the ceremony, many photographers encourage couples to break from this tradition.  Having formal photographs with both the bride and groom before the ceremony is the most efficient way to have your formals taken.  Many couples choose to set aside a few moments alone so that the groom may see the bride for the first time in her gown.  This allows for a romantic respite from the busy activities surrounding their day.

Bring an “Emergency” Kit It’s a good idea to bring along a small bag with those small items that you probably won’t need, but will be grateful to have in case the need arises!  These items include band-aids, safety pins, clear nail polish, aspirin, a lint brush, breath mints, a needle and thread, and anything else you can think of that you might need.

Be Flexible Regardless of how carefully your wedding is planned, there is still a possibility that something unplanned will come up.  Allow yourself to be flexible and enjoy the day’s events.  If you run short on time, then communicate with us and we can photograph family and friends during the reception.  Photography is an important component of your wedding, however, it isn’t the most important.  Your memories of your wedding should be of a joyous and stress-free occasion, and we can help by offering solutions to unexpected situations.