photography

The best wedding photographers book up quickly, typically nine months to a year out, so start your search as soon as you know your date and venue. “The prime time is spring and fall,” says Marnee Marriott, owner of Marriott Photography. “October, March and April dates book up early.”

Ask for referrals from your friends and family, as well as from venues, caterers and florists. Once you have a list of potential photographers, visit their web sites to get an initial impression of their work. Do they have a particular style that you’re looking for such as photojournalistic, traditional or contemporary? Does their work fit your image of how you would like your photos to look?

Make a date
Next, it’s time to set up interviews. These can typically take an hour to an hour-and-a- half each. Interviewing a wedding photographer is a little like going on a first date, because you really need to bond with that person in order for the relationship to work.

“You want to connect with your photographer on a personal level because you are spending the biggest day of your life with that person,” says Suzanne Melissa, owner of Suzanne Melissa Photography. “A lot of times, the photographer becomes your confidant. You should feel comfortable with them. It makes such a big difference in the pictures. If you have a fond memory of taking those pictures, you’re going to like them that much more.”

“One thing that I include in all my wedding packages is an engagement session,” Marnee explains. “I like being able to shoot the couple ahead of time, so I can see what their comfort level is in front of the camera. It’s also so I can get to know them better. I think it’s wise to do that trial run. I’ve actually had a few couples over the years that had wedding packages with other photographers and have cancelled them after the engagement session because they just weren’t comfortable with them.

Ask each photographer to show you samples of complete weddings so you can see how their work tells the story of each one. Also, make sure the photographer you choose will have a backup plan — a “second shooter” and/or plenty of extra equipment on hand.

Decide what you really want
Many photographers offer a choice of packages. Suzanne recommends spending more time selecting the best photographer instead of the best package. “You can always order extra prints and albums later when you can afford them,” she says.

Ask how you will review the proofs after the wedding, and when. Will they be posted online?  Also, ask to see a sample of the type of wedding album your photographer will use, as album quality can vary dramatically. “You really do need to touch and feel and explore the differences,” Marnee says, adding, “I design the album to fit the style of the wedding.”

You’ll also need to decide how you want to order prints. Would you prefer that your photographer order them through a professional lab? Or do you want your images on a CD so you can order prints yourself?  Remember that you’ll need high resolution images for prints and canvases, and lower resolution images if you’re planning to post your photos online.

Communicate, communicate, communicate
Marnee recommends using email to inform your photographer about any special requests you may have. “I love talking to brides over the phone, but I have also found how important it is to communicate a lot of your wishes and wants via email so you have that written transcript.”  “It’s a two-way street,” Suzanne explains. “Think about the pictures that you want and make sure that you’re actively involved in getting those pictures.” She recommends giving your photographer a list of any “special guests” such as aunts or grandparents who must be in your photos. Finally, remember that when you hire a professional photographer, you’re not just paying for their time. “You’re paying for the talent that goes into their work and their expertise and experience,” Marnee says.

Suzanne offered one last bit of advice. “It’s perfectly OK to be stressed about things prior to the wedding. But the day of, trust that you’ve picked good vendors. The most important thing is that you’ve got your family and friends there. Just relax and enjoy the day.”