The Top 5 Things to Consider when Choosing a Wedding Photographer

The best way to choose a wedding photographer is to ask your friends & family's for recommendations. Check out your friend's Wedding Albums and see what you like and dislike.  When interviewing potential photographers be sure to find out the answers to these 5 questions.

1. What style of photography will be provided?

The two main styles of wedding photography are Tradition and Photojournalistic. A Traditional Wedding Photographer will take carefully posed pictures of you and the wedding party. There may be a few “candid” pictures, but the majority of your pictures will be formal. Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers will be in the background observing the day with a long zoon lens taking pictures as the events happen.

You need to decide what style best fits your personality. A Traditional photographer may take a couple photojournalistic pictures and a Photojournalistic photographer may take a few posed shots, but it is very difficult for one photographer to do great job of both by themselves. Most brides want the posed pictures, but also want the fun and creative angles that photojournalistic photographers provide. Those brides should look for a Wedding Package that will include 2 Wedding Photographers so that one Photographer can concentrate on the Traditional Shots and the other Photographer can take the photojournalistic images.

2. Do you enjoy the Photographer's personality?

You are going to be spending your entire wedding day with your wedding photographer; beginning with your getting ready pictures before the ceremony all the way through your last dance. You need to make sure that your personalities mix well together. The photographer you choose may have impeccable technical skills, but if they are not fun to hang out with, you will have a miserable day.

You need to find a Photographer who has all the experience required to be your Wedding Photographer as well as being friendly and personable so that you will enjoy the 8 – 10 hours you will spend with him/her. If you choose a Photography studio with multiple photographers, make sure they let you meet the different photographers and view their portfolios so you can request a specific photographer if you want to.

3. Will they use Film or Digital Equipment?

Make sure you ask ahead of time whether your photographer will be using a Film or a Digital Camera. If they are using a Digital camera, be sure to ask how many mega pixels their camera is. In order to get a high quality enlargement, they need to be using a camera with at least 10 mega pixels. If your photographer is using a Digital Camera you should have the benefit of switching any of your pictures from Color to Black and White or Sepia.

If your pictures will be digital, make sure you know what type of printer your photographer uses. In order to get a high quality product from your digital print, you need a photographer who uses a traditional photographic print. This will give you the same print quality as a professional film lab.  You need to make sure that your photographer is not creating prints on an inkjet printer.

If your photographer will be using film, you should make sure it is a professional, medium format camera, not an inexpensive 35mm Camera. Insist on professional grade film as well.

4. What kind of wedding albums do they offer?

Your wedding album is going to be with you for the rest of your lives. You will be showing it off to your grandchildren someday. It is important that you choose a high quality album that will last through the next 50 years. Your album should tell the story of your wedding day from start to finish.

There are several different styles of albums that you can choose from these days. There are the traditional matted albums that your parents have, as well as modern coffee table books that are a showpiece of all your emotions from your wedding. Make sure that you get to decide which of your pictures will be displayed in your albums. It is your special day and you should get the final say in what your album looks like.

Choose a photographer who has experience designing wedding albums and is flexible to how you want to create your album. You want a photographer who will allow you to either design your own album, or who is willing to design it for you if that's what you want. If you choose a photographer who is also trained in graphic designs, he will have designed hundreds of albums, and will often have great ideas about how to layout your pictures to get the best look.

5. What happens after my wedding?

How soon will you be able to look at your wedding pictures and will your photographer post your pictures online?  You need to know what happens next after you get back from your honeymoon. How do you look at your pictures? How do you order your album?

If they are using Digital Equipment, you should be able to view your pictures online within a week of your wedding day. You should also be able to order prints of your favorite pictures online and send emails to your friends and family so they can view your pictures too.

Article by Jeannette Hampp. She can be contacted at Weddings@oakdaleimages.com