Choosing a photographer can be daunting if you do not know what you are looking at or looking for. Contrary to the belief of some, all photographers are not created equal. When looking at photographers make sure to ask to see their whole wedding or event albums not just the pictures they have on their website (which will be their best and favorite ones). By looking at the whole album you can learn what types of pictures the photographer typically takes and what their editing style is. You may find that while you like the pictures the photographer takes you are not a fan of the way that they are edited or vice-versa.
You should also find out how you will be given the photographs and what your rights will be to them. You should also ask how many pictures they take verses how many they will edit for you. Many photographers will give you a disk that has the edited pictures on it and you can print more at your leisure, there are some photographers however, that require you to order all your prints through them. Looking at how many pictures the photographer takes and how many they edit is important. If a photographer only takes 200 pictures of your whole wedding and only edit half of what they take that only gives you 100 pictures of your wedding day. That may seem like a lot to some people but when you think of group photos, getting ready, cake cutting, toasts, garter and flower toss, first dance, parent dances, and any other special pictures 100 pictures is not as many as it seems.
****Make sure your photographer has back-up equipment that they bring with them. Should their camera malfunction they should have a back-up******
Another point to consider is if you want a single photographer or if you want to have more than one. There are some photographers that do not work with anyone else so if you are wanting more than one they may not be the photographer you want. There are other photographers that may not have another photographer in their company, but they work with another photographer and their company. This is usually the best way to go if the company you are using does not have two photographers because they will often offer a team discount.
Ask your wedding planner or friends if they have worked with the photographer/photographers you are looking at and see if they have positive or negative reviews. If you are still unsure ask to speak to some of their former clients, they may have to contact the client first before they give out the information but chances are if they are willing to do that they care about your business.
You should also find out how you will be given the photographs and what your rights will be to them. You should also ask how many pictures they take verses how many they will edit for you. Many photographers will give you a disk that has the edited pictures on it and you can print more at your leisure, there are some photographers however, that require you to order all your prints through them. Looking at how many pictures the photographer takes and how many they edit is important. If a photographer only takes 200 pictures of your whole wedding and only edit half of what they take that only gives you 100 pictures of your wedding day. That may seem like a lot to some people but when you think of group photos, getting ready, cake cutting, toasts, garter and flower toss, first dance, parent dances, and any other special pictures 100 pictures is not as many as it seems.
****Make sure your photographer has back-up equipment that they bring with them. Should their camera malfunction they should have a back-up******
Another point to consider is if you want a single photographer or if you want to have more than one. There are some photographers that do not work with anyone else so if you are wanting more than one they may not be the photographer you want. There are other photographers that may not have another photographer in their company, but they work with another photographer and their company. This is usually the best way to go if the company you are using does not have two photographers because they will often offer a team discount.
Ask your wedding planner or friends if they have worked with the photographer/photographers you are looking at and see if they have positive or negative reviews. If you are still unsure ask to speak to some of their former clients, they may have to contact the client first before they give out the information but chances are if they are willing to do that they care about your business.