For these reasons, here are some important considerations and questions you should have when choosing your Wedding Photographer?

Experience Level –

1. How long have you been doing photography?
2. May I see samples of your work?
3. Do you work with Film, Digital or both?

Photographic Style –

1. Do you have a photojournalistic (pictures taken when you don’t know it) style as well as formal portraits? 
2. Do you offer a mixture of black and white and color photos?

Truth in Advertising –

1. Will you be the photographer assigned to my wedding or will you send in whoever is available?
2. If someone else is assigned, will I be able to meet them and see samples of their work as well?  

Personality –

1. Pay close attention to your instincts.
2. Is there any chemistry?
3. Do you feel comfortable with the photographer’s demeanor? 
4. Does the photographer appear to be sincere?
5. Are they professional in their interaction with you?

Appearance –

1. How do you dress for weddings? 

Price Range & Packages –

1. Remember, you don’t want to shop by price, but is this person within your budget? If not, is he or she worth the price difference?
2. Does this person thoroughly explain all the costs involved in their time, reprints and albums?
3. Does the price include negatives and/or a high-resolution CD/DVD for you to do your own reprints?
4. Is this person flexible in customizing a package that would fit your needs and budget?
5. Does this person offer a fair payment plan?  One that has a balance due on delivery?
6. Can the package be modified to an upgrade or down grade?
7. What are the required deposits and payment terms?
8. Do you offer a-la-carte options (pay as you need)?
9. How much time will you spend with me on the day of the wedding?
10. What is your overtime fee?  Is there any grace period offered?  

Delivery –

1. How long does it take to get back the proofs, thank you cards, finished album, bridal portrait, etc.

Contract –

1. Make sure the photographer explains every detail of the contract. 
2. What you don’t understand, ask questions until you do.
3. Don’t accept any verbal promises.  If it’s not in writing, there is no guarantee it will happen! 
4. Before you sign, do you feel comfortable that the contract is fair? Is everything spelled out?
5. Does the contract have a cancellation, back-up photographer and no show clause? 

References –

1. Ask your friends and family if they can recommend a photographer they have used and like. 
2. Do you have a list of references? 

If a photographer doesn't have references or is afraid to give them to you, he/she may not be the right person you need to hire.

Other Questions: (some questions may be repeated from the list above)

Have you shot a wedding at my location before?

Do you have an assistant?

Do you have backup equipment and is it the same quality as the primary equipment?

What time will you begin and how long will you stay?

When will the proofs be ready?

Do we get to keep the proofs?

Do you mark your proofs?  If so, is there and extra fee to get unmarked proofs?

Do we get to keep our negatives/CD/DVD?

How long do you keep the negatives and will you sell them to us?

Do you work well with the other vendors? i.e.: coordinators, caterers, videographers.

Can you work from a photo checklist that we create?

How will you be dressed?

Do you process and develop your own film/CD-DVD/prints?

Key points to look for in the contract.

• Company and Photographer’s name.
• Date, time and places of arrival/departure.
• Range in the number of proofs provided
• Specific Package details
• Price list of re-prints.
• Payment schedule
• Expected delivery date
• Cancellation clause
• No show clause
• Back up clause
• Itemization of all additional charges, services, taxes, travel, etc...
• Your name, address and phone number.
  The names and addresses of the ceremony and reception locations. ©

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