Wedding Photography, how to tell the good, from the bad....

I'm not going to tell you there is some big voodoo secret here.  If that's what you were expecting, well, you can stop reading right here.

Still here?  Good.

The first rule in hiring a photographer is look around, check out some web sites.  I know, everyone puts their best images on their website.  That's right, EVERYONE does this, therefore it gives you a relatively level playing field.  Think about it, if you don't like what's on their web site, what they consider their best, what are the chances you'll lilke anything else they show you?

Next, and this is a biggie:  If you are looking at photographers and you like them all and there is a great discrepancy in price, DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!  If you can't tell why one is pricier than the next, save your money and put it into something that is important to you.  I don't mean that to sound insulting, it's just that some people appreciate the difference and some don't.

Then, just when you think you've chosen your photographer.  Meet with them, talk to them, ask them questions.  Try to get a feel for their personality.  It's no fun to spend a day with someone you can't stand, nevemind spend your wedding day with them!

Some things to ask:

How long have you been a photographer?

How many weddings have you photographed?

Do you like shooting weddings? (watch their face when you ask this one, you'll be surprised)

How many people come to photograph?

Will YOU be there to photograph?

Then the professional type questions:

What do you to to continue your education in photography?

What Organizations do you belong to?

Have you ever earned any recognition for your photography?

Though the answers are nice to have, what you're really looking for is reactions and personality.  Let's say they just started in photography, have done a couple of friends weddings, don't think they need to further their education, and didn't even know there are photography Organizations?  Would you want to give them good money to photograph your wedding?  I'd be tentative even if the work was outstanding.

Then the exact opposite:  20 years shooting weddings, over 2000 photographed, they LOVE shooting weddings, they belong to every acronym Photography Organization you can think of, constantly take classes and attend seminars, and have a stack of awards and ribbons for their work.  Besides that, they are enthusiastic and passionate about phography and weddings.  Hmmmm, tough choice.

Bottom line:

There's more to great wedding photography than, um, great wedding photography.  The photographer should be friendly and personable and easy to communicate with.  They should care enough about their profession to educate themselves at every opportunity.

Having a flashy website is nice, but sometimes it isn't a reflection of the photographer, it's more their web designer.  Get to know your photographer, ask questions, if you're not comfortable, there are many more out there.

-B