Tips for selecting a photographer

Photographer

The wedding industry is very diverse and competitive. Be sure to meet with the photographer before making your decision to book with them. This will allow you to get a feel for their type of personality, how professional their work is, and whose needs they are more interested in, yours or theirs. Another thing to do is try to get an engagement shoot either before you book or with your booking. Having the photographer perform an engagement shoot will let you and your fiancée become familiarized and comfortable with the photographer before your wedding day. This will also let you see how the photographer will capture your individual personalities and to avoid being surprised after your wedding.

Portfolio

Portfolios are a good way to view a photographers past work. When looking at their portfolio check for things such as; creativity, consistency, and the overall quality of the photographs. You will also be able to see if the photographer prefers to use a particular style of editing that you may or may not enjoy. Editing availability and pricing can be discussed with the photographer when you talk to them.

Prices

There are many different things to consider when looking at pricing and packages. These considerations could include; suitable time coverage, extra features and promotions, and cost for extra hours. Overall when looking at pricing and packages, you will need to find a package that serves your needs and fits within your budget, this will allow you to get the best value for your investment.

Cancellation Policy

All photographers have a cancellation policy, do not be surprised by this and make sure you carefully read the paperwork before you sign. Generally the cancellation policy will state that any deposits made at time of cancellation are non-refundable. The reason this is in the agreement is because if the client were to cancel, for what ever reason, the photographer may or may not be able to fill that particular date again depending on the season and time before the event. These cancellation policies may include cancelling the entire booking, a particular day, or even rescheduling to a different date.

Copyrighting of Photos

Be sure to check with the photographer and get in writing who owns the rights to the photographs after your wedding is over.

You own the rights

If you own the rights to the photographs, then you may receive them on a CD and print/edit them as you please, when you please. You may print as many as you like or even share them with friends and family. The photographer may still reserve the right to use the photographs for use in their portfolio or for marketing.

Photographer owns the rights

If the photographer owns the rights to the photographs you may have to look at your pictures online or on a CD. Either way, the photographs of your wedding will have the photographers brand (i.e.: logo, website, etc.) printed across the picture to prevent someone from copying it, including you. In order for you to receive your photographs, you must pay the photographer a certain price per photograph for them to print it. This includes any duplicates that you may want to share with friends or family. Prices per photograph can vary depending on the size of the photograph and the photographer.

Secondary Photographer

No matter how large or small, how extravagant or modest, your wedding might be, having a secondary photographer can allow the primary photographer to focus on you the whole day, while the secondary photographer can capture the finer details of the wedding. Some of the areas a secondary photographer would focus on include artistic photographs of arrangements, ceremony, and reception, as well as candid photographs of you, children, and family and friends enjoying themselves. In some cases a photography company assists student photographers from the local college/university in helping them gain experience and building their portfolio. If offered, the secondary photographer, professional or student, has been hand selected by the photography company and can/should be booked through the photographer.