Your wedding photos will last a lifetime. When it is time to select the wedding photographer, do the research necessary to ensure you are getting what you want. If you understand the trends in wedding photography and the changes in technology, you will be on the right track to making an informed decision.

What You Need to Know about Photography

Deciding on the style you prefer and finding a professional photographer you like and with whom you work well are essential in capturing enduring images of your wedding. You should be familiar with some basic details that will influence the decisions you make.

As you review the following information about photography, keep in mind, there are a host of photographers who mix all of these approaches to create a unique style. The following information will acquaint you with the basics of photography basics:

• Style. Do you want a more photojournalistic approach, which documents the day as it unfolds, with less posing and more spontaneity? Do you prefer a more traditional style that includes more poses, utilizes lighting, and sets up shots? Or does an editorial approach, in which you seem to be posing for a magazine spread, appeal to you? Once you begin looking at photographers' sample books, your eye will guide you to the style you prefer.

• Digital or film. Although film was once highly preferred, high-end digital equipment can provide nearly the same quality. Some couples love the look of film, and some want the flexibility of digital. Each type of photography has pros and cons, so don't make a decision until you find the photographer you want. Many photographers shoot both formats.

• Black and white or color. Many couples feel that black-and-white photography has an artistic and timeless appeal. If you are shooting film, it is best to determine this in advance, as some quality may be lost when converting color prints to black and white. With digital, this is not a concern. Even if you love black and white, do not rule out having some color photographs taken. If you like the look of both, ask your photographer if she has the ability to shoot both color and black and white.

• Personality. An important aspect of wedding photography is the rapport you have with the photographer. You should like the photographer you hire. He doesn't need to become your new best friend, but his personality should be pleasing to you as well as the manner in which he presents himself. He will be with you much of the day, and he should be someone with whom you feel comfortable.

Making the Decision

Choose your photographer carefully; only sign on after you've seen his or her work and checked references. It's always wise to interview more than one photographer. That way, you can compare quality and prices to get the best person (and the best deal).

Questions to Ask

Here is a list of questions that will help you choose the best man, woman, or studio for the job.

How long has the photographer been in this business?

Does the photographer specialize in weddings? (If he or she isn't a wedding expert, find someone who is.)

Is this a full-time photographer?

Who is available/will be shooting the wedding (if the photographer is part of a larger studio)?

Does the photographer shoot with a digital camera or with film?

Or with both?

Does the photographer shoot color only or is black and white or sepia available?

Can you see samples of previous work and speak to some former clients?

What is the photographer's style?

Does the photographer have an assistant? Does the photographer have additional photographers who can be hired to shoot on the wedding day as well?

Does the photographer offer an engagement session? At what cost?

What types of photo packages are offered?

What is included in the standard package?

What are the costs for additional photos?

How many pictures does the photographer typically take at a wedding of this size?

In addition to the base package fee, will there be any additional hourly fees or travel costs?

Will you be charged by the hour?

Are there travel fees for shooting at more than one location, if the location is more than a certain amount of miles from the studio?

Does the photographer keep the negatives? If so, for how long? If digital, is a disk of all the images available for purchase (or is it included)?

Are negatives available for purchase?

Will you be able to purchase extra photos in the future?

Does the photographer use a variety of lighting techniques? A variety of backgrounds?

Will the photographer take a mixture of formal and candid shots?

Does the photographer shoot bridal portraits?

Would the photographer be willing to incorporate your ideas into the shot list?

Will the photographer provide a contract stipulating services, date, time, and costs?

How long do we have to wait to see the proofs of our wedding photos?

How long do we have to wait receive our albums and final prints of the wedding photos?

PHOTOGRAPHER WORKSHEET

Click, Click, Click Goes the Shutter

Once you decide on a photographer, talk about the type and amount of photographs you'd like. Most professional wedding photographers know what photos they need to take and what photos a bride expects. But, the photographer won't be able to incorporate your ideas unless you communicate them. Create a list of the photographs you'll want the photographer to take on your wedding day. Here are some suggestions.

THE SHOT LIST

Bride and groom

Bride with her mother

Bride with her father

Bride with her mother and father

Bride and groom with bride's mother and father

Bride with siblings

Bride with her mother and siblings

Bride with her father and siblings

Bride with her parents and siblings

Bride with the grandparents

Bride with the flower girl

Bride with the ring bearer

Bride and groom with the flower girl

Bride and groom with the ring bearer

Bride with the flower girl and the ring bearer

The groom with his mother

The groom with his father

The groom with his mother and father

The bride and groom with groom's mother and father

Groom with siblings

Groom with his mother and siblings

Groom with his father and siblings

Groom with his parents and siblings

The groom with grandparents

Bride and the groom with both sets of parents

Groom with the flower girl

Groom with the ring bearer

Bride with her attendants

Bride with each attendant

The groom with his attendants

The groom with each attendant

The groom with bridesmaids

The bride with groomsmen

The entire wedding party

Bride and groom with godparents and/or any favorite relatives

CANDID SHOTS BEFORE THE CEREMONY

Bride in the final moments of getting ready

Bride and her attendants at the bride's home/hotel before the ceremony

Guests arriving

Bride and her father arriving at the ceremony getting out of the car, and walking into the ceremony site

Informal shots of bride and her attendants at the back of the church or ceremony site

Informal shots of bride and her father before the ceremony

Signing of the Ketubah or other cultural rituals (if necessary)

TRADITIONAL CEREMONY SHOTS

Each attendant walking down the aisle, including the flower girl, the ring bearer, and pages

Bride's mother coming down the aisle

Groom's parents coming down the aisle

Bride and her father coming down the aisle

Bride's father leaving bride at the altar

Wedding party at the altar

Bride and groom exchanging vows and rings

The lighting of candles and any other special ceremony features

Bride and the groom kissing at the altar

Bride and groom getting into the car

Bride and groom toasting each other in the car

Bride and groom leaving the ceremony

Group shot of guests at end of ceremony or at the beginning of the reception (if possible)

RECEPTION

Bride and groom's grand entrance

First dance

Father/daughter dance

Mother/son dance

Cake cutting

Best man's toast

Bride and groom toast

Tossing the garter

Tossing the bouquet

Table shots

Bride and groom leaving the reception

The “getaway” car

DECORATIVE ELEMENTS

Ceremony setup

Details of ceremony (programs, bouquets, etc.)

Reception tables

Place settings

Overall reception room setup

Details of the reception

Cake (prior to cutting)

More Photography Needs

In addition to the traditional wedding photographs, you may want some of following areas covered:

• Engagement portrait: Most wedding photographers offer engagement sessions when you book their services either as part of the package or at a reasonable rate. The engagement session is a great time to connect with your photographer and get a feel for how he works. This is also a time for the photographer to get a feel for the chemistry between you and your fiancé and to see how you photograph together. These photos may be printed along with your engagement announcement in the newspaper and/or displayed at the bridal shower, and other parties.

• Wedding announcements: If you're planning to send a wedding announcement to the newspaper, be sure to inform your photographer so she can take an appropriate photo to meet each publication's requirement (check with each publication for the specifics).

• Bridal portrait: The bridal portrait is an optional tradition that is not as common today. Some brides have a formal bridal portrait taken for cultural reasons. These portraits are not taken on the wedding day, but rather in advance and are usually formal posed studio shots.