Tips for Choosing a Wedding Photographer
Choosing your wedding photographer may be the toughest and most important thing you do while planning your wedding. When you are picking out a reception hall, dress or tuxes, you know what the final product will look like. With photography, you have to rely on the photographer’s past work and current ability to give you the result you are looking for.
Initial Research
When we first began looking at photographers, we gathered a list of the ones in our area by using the internet, yellow pages and paying attention to tv and radio advertisements. The majority of our list came from internet research. For example, typing in “Wedding Photography near Denver, CO” into Google will usually bring up a map where you can begin. Bridal magazines are also a good source, most offering a service directory where you can find photographers.
Experience and Background
Take the time to visit each photographer’s website and read how long they have been working professionally. You will usually find out that the more experience a photographer has, the more their work will reflect that. Also pay attention whether that experience has been in wedding photography or in other areas. A photographer who claims to “do it all” may not be a good choice since wedding photography is such a unique and important area.
Ownership of Negatives / Originals
Ask the photographer whether you will be the owner of all your negatives or original files after the wedding. This will allow you to print your own photos at any time instead of going through the photographer, saving you a lot of time and money.
Online Gallery
Ask the photographer if they post your photo proofs to a secure online gallery after the wedding. If they do, ask how long it usually takes after the wedding day. Some online galleries give the ability to share it with your friends and family and allow them to purchase their own prints through the photographer’s website. Ask the photographer if they can show you an example demo site so you can see how it works.
Photographic Style
Please visit our article on Choosing a Wedding Photography Style