You want a photographer who is green, but you also want one whose artistic style matches your own. Photographers shoot in many styles. Some shoot candid photos, while others only shoot posed photos. Some offer a more photojournalistic style, which is kind of arty and focuses on more candid shots than posed ones. Many photographers also offer a variety of image options including black and white and sepia shots. Black and white photos can add a touch of elegance and drama to photos, where sepia prints impart a feeling of nostalgia. If you are having a vintage theme wedding or are incorporating vintage elements, sepia prints add a bit of whimsy and class.

Most couples prefer to have a combination of posed shots and candid photos. That way they are sure to get as many memories captured on film as possible. Check out the photographer's portfolio to determine what kind of photos she is capable of taking. If you see nothing but posed shots, that's a sign you won't get many candid shots of your wedding.

Once you pick a photographer, how are you sure she is going to capture everything you want on film? For one thing, communication is essential. Ask if there is a standard checklist followed for capturing photos. If there isn't such a list, create one of your own. If there is, check to make sure it includes all the photos you want; add anything that is missing. If you have any special requests, be sure to let the photographer know ahead of time.

This is a rather standard list of shots that most photographers take at weddings:

PHOTOS TAKEN BEFORE THE CEREMONY.

Photo of the wedding dress draped over a chair or hanging up

Bride looking into the mirror

Bride with her mother

Bride and bridesmaids applying makeup, putting on jewelry, or arranging hair

Bride pinning corsage and boutonniere on mother and father

Bride hugging parents

Groom tying his tie

Groom before the ceremony

Groom pinning corsage and boutonniere on mother and father

Groom hugging his parents

PHOTOS TAKEN DURING THE CEREMONY

Outside of ceremony site

Guests arriving at ceremony

Parents being seated

Grandparents being seated

Maid of honor walking down the aisle

Bridesmaids walking down the aisle

Flower girl and ring bearer walking down the aisle

Groom walking into the ceremony

Groom waiting for bride at the altar

Musicians

Officiant

Altar, canopy, or huppah

Closeup of bride before she walks in

Bride and father walking down the aisle

Groom seeing the bride as she walks in

The back of the bride as she walks down the aisle

Father giving the bride away

The audience from the bride and groom's point of view

Any special ceremonies, unity candle lighting, family medallion, rose ceremony, or other personal moments

Closeup of vow exchange

Distance shot of vow exchange

Exchange of the rings

Closeup of the rings on bride's and groom's hands

The kiss

Bride and groom walking down the aisle as husband and wife

The receiving line after the ceremony

Bride and groom outside of the ceremony site

Guests throwing confetti or birdseed or blowing bubbles

Bride and groom hugging and mingling with guests

Bride and groom signing the marriage certificate

POSED WEDDING PHOTOS USUALY TAKEN BEFORE THE RECEPTION

Bride alone

Bride with maid of honor

Bride with bridesmaids

Bride with groomsmen

Bride with entire wedding party

Bride with parents

Bride and groom together

Bride and groom with families

Bride and groom with entire wedding party

Bride and groom with flower girl and ring bearer

Groom alone

Groom with his parents

Groom with best man

Groom with all the groomsmen

Groom with entire wedding party

Groom with all the female attendants

Let the photographer know ahead of time if you have any special situations so everyone can be ready for the pictures. She needs to know if your parents are divorced and do not want to be in any pictures together. If you want any additional photos of you with people who mean a lot to you, ask. Write down all your special requests and make two copies — one for you and one for the photographer.

COMMON PHOTOS TAKEN AT THE RECEPTION

Outside the reception site

Bride and groom arriving at the location

Bride and groom greeting guests

Table centerpieces and setting

The bride and groom's table

The guest book

The cake

The cake table

The cake topper

The groom's cake

Gift table

The wedding toasts or speeches

Bride and groom drinking champagne

Bride and groom's first dance

Bride dancing with father

Groom dancing with mother

Bride and groom cutting the cake

Bride and groom feeding each other cake

Groom removing the garter from his bride

Groom tossing the garter

Bride throwing the bouquet

Women scrambling for the bouquet

Garter- and bouquet-catchers' dance

Dollar dance

Any other special traditions carried out at your reception

Picturesque shots of the bride and groom in the garden, gazebo, or other romantic place at the reception site

Candid shots of the bride and groom mingling with guests and of guests mingling with each other

The getaway vehicle

The bride and groom leaving the reception

By choosing the right photographer, you are ensuring that all the special memories of your big day are recorded. Photographs preserve memories and record important times in our lives that we never want to forgot. One of the great joys in life is to be able to look back through a photo album, smile, and remember.

Whether that photo album is on a computer screen or bound in a beautiful album made from recycled paper, choose eco-wisely for fabulous memories with no guilt and a minimal footprint.