Photographers

I've always thought that choosing a photographer is one of the most important decisions you can make.

Long after the guests have gone home, the flowers have been given away, the lights have been turned out, even after the frozen cake topper has been brought out and thawed, your photos will be a part of your life. These photos go into wallets, get sent out in thank-you notes, and find homes on desk tops and walls.

Any Photographer?

Photographers come in many shapes and sizes. Just because someone has a camera, maybe even a business, doesn't mean they are a wedding photographer.

Styles

Photographers come in many flavors. They can specialize in buildings, landscapes, babies, fashion, advertising, and news. Each group has a slightly different approach to the way they compose a shot.

Photojournalists tend to shoot as they go, not posing their subjects. They're great at getting those impromptu shots or catching that unexpected moment. But they may not produce that one special shot.

Fashion photographers are experts at posing a shot and getting your best look. For portraits and family shots they're great. But they're used to controlling their environment and may not know as much about using existing lighting, which can be a real challenge in a dimly lit church or chapel.

Experienced wedding photographers usually know the local area better and focus on styles specific to weddings. They may not be the best at portrait shots, but they are usually consistent.

The one word of advice, stay away from using a relative or close friend, except for back-up. A signed contract is the best way to hold someone to a deal and it's much better to free friends and family to enjoy the celebration.

Photojournalist or Artist

A photojournalist usually shoots on the go, rarely posing people as they go. This is a great way to get a record of the days activities.

An artist tries to make each shot a portrait. They're very creative and try to make each shot a masterpiece. You'll end up with fewer photographs but a better choice.

I've often seen husband and wife teams work together. As in the old adage "opposites attract", you usually get two people with very different styles by hiring both of them.

They also have experience working together and naturally divvy up the shots so their work overlaps and they miss very few shots.

Digital or Film Camera

As in any other decision, there are plusses and minuses to either decision.

Digital cameras take images equal to their film counterparts in almost every way these days. An added advantage is that since storage devices are re-usable, digital photographers take many more photographs during a wedding.

Film cameras are still the best when shooting into the sun or sunsets, and have less trouble with bright white objects like your gown.

Medium and large format cameras are still the best at making photos that are to be blown up to larger sizes, but these days that means over 22" high.

For now, negatives also store better than CDs when properly taken care of. That may change as record storage depends more and more on digital medias and technology changes. If your photographer does provide photographs on CDs ask if they're aware of the three manufacturing types and if they use the longest lasting.

Digital cameras allow the photographer to immediately see a photograph and adjust as needed. Most digital cameras with interchangeable lenses (known as SLR digital cameras) use a regular glass viewer while taking the shot, but then display the photo on an lcd screen immediately after the shot.

This can let the photographer adjust lighting conditions or re-take a posed photograph where they might have missed something otherwise.

Whichever camera the photographer uses, make sure they have a back-up camera and an appropriate flash unit. If they are using a film camera make sure there is an appropriate film budget agreed on before the wedding day. Don't scrimp on the film, save on the photographs you end up purchasing.

References

Ask to see wedding albums and samples of a prospective photographers. Often you can pick styles you like from web sites.

Ask for references and really call them. Don't feel shy about calling. At hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars this is a big investment.

Ask for memberships in associations like Professional Photographers of America, the Association for Wedding Professionals International, and local wedding vendor associations. These groups monitor complaints and will bar anyone without a good reputation.

Ask your wedding planner or other vendors you're working with. If your reception is at a hotel they've probably assigned a special representative to your wedding. These hosts often meet with the photographers when guests are dining and get to know them and their reputations.

Before the Wedding

You can always get a preview of your photographer's style by working with them before the wedding. Engagement photos are a great way to get to know your photographer and work with them before you sign a contract.

Boudoir photographs are also very popular these days. Look for someone that has a warm studio and take a friend with you to ensure you feel comfortable.

Checklists

Unless you're having a really small wedding, use a checklist. At the top of the checklist place each member of the wedding party's name and their relationship.
Dave - Brides Father
May - Bride's Sister - Bridesmaid
etc...

This makes sure you get all of the photos you want and makes it easy for the photographer to gather everyone for particular shots.

Normally the schedule goes something like-

Before the wedding.
Bride, bridesmaids, and brides family
Groom, best men, and grooms family

Ceremony

After the ceremony.
Bride and groom.
Combinations - Bride with groom's family, both families, etc.
Group Photo

Before reception
Special locations while everyone else gathers at reception site.
Guests

Reception.
Guests
Grand Entrance
Head Table
Toasts
Dances
First Dances
Bouquet and Garter toss
Money Dance
Exit

Saving Money

If you just can't afford a professional photographer here are a few tips.

Purchase lots of disposable cameras and encourage everyone to use them. Even a lot of professional photographers get great shots by just taking lots of them.

Have a couple of family members or friends take photos. Assign a lead photographer to get up front or in situations where only one photographer will fit. But get a couple of views by having a few people take shots. Just make sure they have a professional camera. This usually means interchangeable lenses whether it's digital or film.

Put out a guest book for photographers and videographers willing to give you copies. Instead of calling everyone on your guest list ask them to sign in. Don't forget a follow-up gift or thank you note when they send you photographs and to offer to pay for processing.

Your photographs after the wedding

Photographers love to sell you photographs, this is their best profit. Especially on re-orders, where all they have to do is print your photograph or email them to the lab.

But I recommend you get negatives or a DVD of the original photographs and the copyright or license to reproduce whenever possible. This not only lets you make copies, but legally lets you distribute your photographs in many other ways. These could include web sites, email, calendars, personalized gifts, and posters.

Want some personalized gifts? Take a look at Cafe Press. It's free to open an account and you can have a photograph printed on a variety of items, including refrigerator magnets, t-shirts, pillows, and cards. They also give discounts on bulk items, so be sure to ask.

If you're buying a lot of personalized gifts, find a promotional products salesman in your area. You can get your photos printed or etched on thousands of items and he may be able to get you some samples for yourself.

Your photographer may keep the copyrights to your photographs. This is normal. But make sure you look carefully at yours and his rights. The photographer will probably keep rights to use your photograph in his/her own advertising, but make sure he can't sell your photographs to stock footage or advertising companies, or reality tv shows without your permission.

One of the biggest disappointments is the storage capability of CDs and DVDs. Some manufacturing techniques only hold up a year or two. Check with experts on long term storage of digital photographs because the technology is constantly changing.

Videographer

A videographer is a great way to really capture the whole moment. A video camera takes almost 30 photos per minute as well as sound. We'll devote a whole article to videography soon, but here are a few notes.

Don't let the same person do both video and photography, it doesn't work. You can ask your photographer to recommend a videographer. This could mean two vendors that have experience working together and won't get in each other's way. However, you should still look at other videographers. Nothing personal, but you might not like the style of the recommended videographer or you might find a better bargain.