Shop Around
Start your search for a photographer the same way you've gone about choosing other vendors, by getting recommendations from friends and family who have used a photographer recently. Look at their photographs and albums and ask questions about how the photographer worked out on that occasion. Here are a few sample questions:
Did the photographer show up on time?
Did the photographer dress appropriately?
Did the photographer bring enough film or disk memory for all the shots without having to scramble to get more?
Did the photographer capture all the important moments of the ceremony and the reception?
Identifying Candidates
Make sure the quality of photographs and the type of shots match what you are looking for. Ask your friends and family members whether they mind telling you what prices they paid for their wedding photography and whether proofs were delivered when expected.
Listen carefully when you ask whether they felt pressure to buy more than they wanted or, say, whether they were unable to have a big group shot taken because the photographer insisted smaller groups would be better.
Make sure the photographer did not tack on extra hidden fees or try to charge for services that weren't in the contract, such as touch-ups.
Essential
Choosing to take fewer pictures does not mean you need to settle for a mediocre photographer. After all, these are important photographs that can't be taken again. Think about it this way: If there are minor mishaps that day, they probably won't be remembered. But a photograph is forever.
Check with your other vendors and your officiant. They may have worked at weddings and seen both good and not-so-good photographers.
One bride recounted that her minister was very unhappy to hear she had chosen a certain photographer. At a previous wedding, the photographer had been late and held everyone up, and he'd taken shots at inappropriate times. The bridal couple later told the minister they'd been very unhappy with the photographer's work and his hard-sell approach.
Fortunately, the bride-to-be hadn't yet put a deposit down and was able to make an agreement with a different photographer.
Cast a Wide Net
Look at photographers' Web sites to get a sense of their photographic style and how it fits with your vision for your wedding photographs. Online bridal forums often carry testimonials enabling previous brides to sound off on their wedding photographers. Just remember to take such comments with a grain of salt, since you don't know the posters or their situations.
You need not restrict yourself to professional photographers. If someone in your family wants to take photos and you like his work, accept his offer, though only if you truly believe he will do a great job. This occasion is too important to risk getting amateur-quality work.
Another alternative is to think locally. Many colleges and universities have photography departments or programs. You might be able to locate a skilled instructor or student who does weddings.
Speak with the Photographer
Once you have collected the names of a few photographers, make appointments with at least two of them to view their samples and get a sense of how they respond to your requests. Trust your gut.
If your discussion is not what you expected, start looking elsewhere. You're not likely to become any happier with a person who doesn't make a good impression the first time around. Be sure you're comfortable with the person who will be with you, often in close quarters, for hours on your special day.
Here is a list of questions to ask your potential photographers:
Can we see samples of photography done at weddings like ours? What type of camera will you use? What type of shot do you consider your specialty?
What packages do you offer?
How much time will you spend working at our wedding? (Some photographers charge extra for overtime.)
Do you offer digital photography? (This saves money over traditional photography.)
Can we keep the negatives? If not, how long do we have to order pictures? Will the negatives be digital or film? When will our proofs be available?
Will photographs be available for our guests to purchase online?
How far ahead of the wedding date do we need to contract your time? (Bear in mind that during especially busy periods such as holidays and during the peak bridal months, photographers are booked far in advance.)
How much of a deposit is required? May we see a copy of the contract?
Alert
Sometimes ritzy studios use the renowned name of one photographer but rely on a staff of unknowns. Ask to see your photographer's portfolio. You could be paying for a better photographer than you'll get. It's wise to double-check this so you know what to expect from your wedding photographs.
Be sure to ask the photographer how she will dress for your wedding. “I spent so much time and money trying to make sure that I had an elegant wedding,” said one bride. “Then this photographer shows up in a polo shirt and khakis to take the wedding pictures. We were mortified!”
Ask whether the photographer does this work full-time, as a part-time occupation, or as a hobby. There's nothing wrong with part-time photographers, but be especially careful to check their references and portfolios.
It's essential to determine that the person you interview is the one who will be your photographer later. Developing a rapport with a photographer who turns out not to be yours can lead to disappointment if the quality of the product is less than you expected.
