What to look for?

[Ambrosia76]

Ok so Hubby and I are planning a Wedding/Vow Renewal Ceremony for February next year. Since I can't take my own pics I must budget for someone else to do it. I wanted to get some tips from real Pros about what I should look for or look out for.

I am very nervous about this as I don't want to be overly picky just because I am a photog too. But I don't want to end up with crappy pictures either. It is not going to be an overly formal affair but I still would like some good pics to remember the day.

I am also not looking to spend a fortune.

I am thinking maybe look for someone who does things other than weddings,like events parties etc. I am not really looking to get formal wedding shots.

I am just not sure how to choose. I know I should pic someone whose work I like but I also know that everyone is going to show me their absolute best.I don't want to pick the guy who shows me 3-4 good wedding pics but doesn't say anything about the 500 he screwed up. Are there certain things I should look for in the contract they offer etc? I have never hired a Pro Photographer so I feel like I am jumping in the deep end.

[JFSanders]

End product is the most important thing in your list of priorities. So, cruise the websites of the possible photographers in your area and make a short list. Then weed them down based on your criteria and you should end up with one or two stand outs. If not then check your criteria and your priorities because one or more are not in touch with reality.


Jim

[lonni]

Make sure you ask to see a whole event shoot, from beggining to end, a good pro will have one in their portfolio to show you.

You can not get a good idea of how good the photographer is untill you see the whole event. Anyone can put up the 5 or 10 best shots from a wedding, but it is harder to have a whole wedding full of good shots.

I got caught with my wedding that way, i saw the best shots from the best weddings portfolio, and found out that the rest of the images sucked.

HTH

[SusanH1970]

Agreed that someone who is a true wedding/event professional will have WAY more than a handful of shots from each event in his/her portfolio. It'll probably take some time weeding through the photographers vs the fauxtographers to find what you're looking for, but luckily you've got plenty of time. Book early if you can. Good luck in finding someone! The ceremony sounds like a lot of fun, and very romantic.

[candleman]

Which is most important to you,
The portraits of the two of you together or ceremony shots??

If the creative/romantic portraits is what you're after.. get a seasoned Wedding Professional because they will know how to get the most shots out of the time and how to make you look your best.
If the Ceremony shots are most important to you, make sure you hire a seasoned Wedding Professional, because they will know when and where tomove to get a variety of angles, and know when to look for emotional moments. (See what I did there.. always go with the Wedding Pro.. not some random Event photographer.)

Ask to see a full wedding from start to finish. That will give you a good idea about their consistency in quality throughout the day.

Ask if they have back-up equipment and a back-up photographer if they fall ill on the day.
Be sure to have them add that in the contract.

Make sure you like them as a person, because you will be spending lots of time together, and this is the person you will need to feel very comfortable around so you can be yourself and let your emotions flow. So meet them before you book.

ask if they can suggest some locations for your bridalparty shoot.
An experienced photographer will have several places in the city they go to.
A Fauxtographer won't know where to go, or will try palm it off on you.

Ask them how they approach the posed family groupshots. (even if you don't want them done)
This also gives you an idea of how experienced they are. An experienced potographer will be able to answer you quickly with how they approach it if the process is left up to them.

Book very early.. 6 months ahead of time is cutting it thin if you want one of the good photographers.