Everything changes after getting engaged. I know from personal experience that a girl who has never before cared much about clothes and fancy parties can quickly turn into a bride who agonizes over finding the perfect dress, the perfect rings, the perfect venues and even the perfect wedding invitations. But regardless of whether you decide you can’t live without the monogrammed napkins or if your style calls for a simple but elegant wedding, your wedding day will be one of the most amazing, emotional days of your life. You will want to remember every detail of this day for years to come, and you will want a keepsake to look back on and to share with your children and grandchildren years from now. It is so important to find a photographer who will capture every detail your wedding day with style, because the day will come and go before you know it, and you’ll be left with happy memories and your wedding pictures. Because wedding photographs last a lifetime, I truly believe the wedding photographer is the second most important decision you will make for your wedding (of course the most important decision is your spouse-to-be!). But if you’re not a photographer or a photo-enthusiast yourself, you may not know what to look for in finding the perfect wedding photographer. I’ve put together a checklist you can use to help find a photographer that will give you wedding photographs to treasure for a lifetime.
1. Style
While there certainly are criteria that distinguish a good photograph from a bad one, the criteria that separate a “great” photograph from all the rest have more 
to do with taste. There are a lot of wedding photographers out there, so look around and try to find one with a style similar to your own. If you’re more adventurous or modern, look for a photographer who’s not afraid to take risks and be creative. If you have a very traditional style, look for a photographer who specializes in traditional wedding photography. There are photographers who offer pure wedding photojournalism, who specialize in traditional groupings and poses, some who offer highly stylized glamour-type photographs, and everything in between. Find out what your photographer offers and what he or she loves to do. You should be able to get a clear sense of a photographer’s style by looking at his or her portfolio, but it can be helpful to ask them about their style as well.
2. Lighting
It’s important to make sure the photographer you hire has the right skills and equipment for the job. Especially if you’re getting married indoors or at dusk, you should make sure your photographer is comfortable making good photographs in low light conditions. Some photographers choose to bring supplemental lights to the location and some choose to use fast lenses to make better use of the available light, but it is important to make sure they are comfortable making photographs regardless of the lighting situation. If your wedding will feature dim lighting, ask to see some photographs the photographer has taken under similar wedding lighting conditions.
3. Quality
Quality manifests in numerous ways. There’s the quality of the photographer’s work- are the images sharp and clear?
Are they creative, beautiful, and meaningful? Image quality is another factor. Does the photographer use high quality equipment that will allow you to make good enlargements? Don’t get me wrong, the photographer’s skill is much more important than the quality of his or her equipment. High end equipment can never be a substitute for a skilled photographer with a good eye, but it is something to consider. Album/print quality should not be overlooked either. If an album or wedding book is something that interests you, make sure you see a sample of an album you could buy from this photographer. Don’t be distracted by the huge metallic prints on the studio walls, focus on what you would actually have the opportunity to purchase. A top-notch photographer will care deeply about producing quality work.
4. Budget
Hiring a wedding photographer is not the time to count pennies, but for most people the “money is no object” philosophy doesn’t apply. First of all, find out what wedding photography should cost by interviewing several photographers whose work you admire. Then try to choose one who gives you the most for your money without compromising quality. Find out what is included with the price of photography. Length of coverage time may vary, and you might get print credits, engagement sessions, online proof galleries, or digital images with your package. Be sure to take these things into consideration and make sure you choose the best value over the best price. If you fall in love with a photographer you can’t afford, describe your situation to them and they might be willing to help you work out a payment plan.
5. Options
If a coffee table book, digital negatives, wall prints, airbrushing, or special processing techniques are important to you, make sure your photographer offers those services.
6. Previous Work
Ask to see samples of the photographer’s work at other weddings. If possible, ask to see a full wedding from start to finish in additional to the photographer’s select favorite images. That will give you a better idea of the coverage you can expect at your own wedding.
7. Backup
It’s unlikely that a catastrophic event will befall your photographer’s camera on your wedding day, but you should make sure your photographer carries a backup camera just in case.
8. Meet the Photographer
Meet the person who will actually be doing the photography at your wedding.
Sometimes photographers work in teams, and if you hire the studio, you may get any one of them for your wedding. If that’s the case, make sure you’ve met all the people and approved their work. Your photographer will be with you through all the important moments of your wedding day, so it is very important that you feel comfortable around him or her.
9. Plan Ahead
For the best chance at reserving your first choice photographer, plan on hiring your wedding photographer one year before the wedding. If your wedding is less than a year away, don’t panic, but start the process as soon as possible.
10. Enthusiasm
A photographer who is enthusiastic about his or her job will naturally produce better work than a complacent one. Look for someone who is as committed to your wedding as you are, and you won’t be disappointed!
Tags: Choosing a Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photography, Wedding Photoraphers, Weddings