IT MAKES LIFE simpler if you know what you're looking for before you meet your photographer. And these questions should help you figure out if he or she is the one for you!
Who will be taking the photographs?
Ask if the person you're meeting will be the photographer in attendance on your wedding day. If not, ask to meet the actual photographer and see some examples of their work. It's really important for you both to feel comfortable with your chosen photographer on the day itself and a face-to-face meeting is a great way to relieve any doubts. Or why not get a pre-wedding session to help build a relationship and establish something of a rapport before any nerves set in?
What's your style?
Broadly speaking wedding photographers fall into three camps - traditional, reportage style and avant garde/contemporary - but there's plenty of overlap within the three and many do offer a variety of styles in order to best accommodate the wishes of the couple. Before you speak to a potential photographer it's wise to have a think about which style you prefer and to check out online galleries. This give you a reference point for the initial meeting and a chance for them to elaborate on the specifics.
How long will you stay on the day?
There isn't an industry standard on this and it's important for you to work with your photographer to decide where their time is best spent on the day. Ask them how long they normally stay after the ceremony and/or at the reception, then explain what you're looking for from them. This is also a great time to suss out the timings of your day and to think about how long you can devote to photography at different stages of the wedding. Prior to your meeting take the time to prepare a shot list to discuss with your photographer - particularly if there are specific guests that you want to be photographed with or there are special details you want to be captured.
What kind of packages do you offer?
The packages on offer vary tremendously depending on the photographer you choose and it's often not until you make an appointment that you find out exactly what is involved in each and, almost as importantly, what they cost! Ask about things like length of coverage, which album styles and how many prints are included, and any extras, for example mini albums for parents. Most photographers offer a variety of packages to suit different budgets, but try not to get too obsessed with working out who represents the best value for money. It's much more sensible to make your decisions based on finding a photographer whose work you like than simply who seems to be quoting the best price.
When will we receive our photographs?
The introduction of digital photography and our obsession with the internet means that sometimes the wedding photos are available online even before the newlyweds get back from honeymoon. Having an online gallery of all your images is also a great way of including family when choosing the best images for your album and to enable them to order specific prints. On the whole, however, and depending on the time of year (summer is of course busiest for anyone in the wedding industry), your proof book or CD should be available any time up to a month or two after your wedding, and then it's up to you to choose the pictures you want to display in your album, which is often the longest stage of the whole process!
