Top Principles to Help You Choose the Best Wedding Photographer

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7 May 2009

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A cheap camera is sufficient to record most of the important events in our lives. But once in a lifetime events such as weddings deserve the extra expense of filming it right. Yet look in the yellow pages and you can see there are plenty of choices available. Follow these seven principles in choosing a photographer and you probably won’t be disappointed with the results.

1. Availability. If you are wealthy, you may be able to hire the best New York photographer to capture your California wedding. However, most people will want to hire someone more locally, someone whose transportation costs will be more reasonable. For example, a couple in Virginia would choose someone specializing in Virginia Beach wedding photography. Also, since photographers are especially busy on Saturdays, will he/she be available on your big day?

2. Skill. What is the reputation of the photographer? Do you have testimonials available? Can you view samples of their work? After all, photographing a wedding is more than just clicking and shooting. They need good equipment and skill. What will be the pixel range of the digital pictures? The more pixels, in general, the larger the file size but also the better the resolution. When enlarged they will still have the same clarity.

3. Personality. From your first interview, imagine yourself working with them for several hours. Were they pushy, wanting to get you to choose their most expensive options? Or did they make recommendations and let you decide? Do you think they would tend to want it their way, or would they work with your plans? How good are they in working with children?

4. Price. Of course, money must be a consideration. Weddings are expensive enough, the average U.S. wedding now at more than $20,000. You want your special day recorded but you don’t want to go broke doing it. Are the options you want available with this photographer within your budget?

5. Service. How soon will others be able to see the pictures? How soon will you receive the ordered prints? If enlargements were ordered, when would they be available? Since digital is instant, is the option of displaying ceremony pictures during the reception available?

6. Options. A wide variety of options should be available. For example, if you so desire, is the photographer available during the rehearsal? Are they willing and available when you want the main photographic event to take place? Are they OK letting relatives take their own pictures while they are setting up shots? What creative suggestions do they offer? Can others print pictures off their website?

7. Integrity. What is their reputation about keeping their promises and delivering what they say? Will they be in place when needed and stay as long as you expect? Will all the parts of the package you chose be delivered as you expect?

You won’t want to reply on an amateur to photograph something as important as your wedding. If you follow these principles, you will probably not be disappointed with the person you choose. And if you’re close enough to need a Virginia Beach photographer, look up Expressions Photography. Their friendly and professional expertise will capture all the memories of your special day.