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Choosing A Wedding Photographer

Selecting the right wedding photographer for your big day can be the difference between wedding photos that you love and wedding photos that you hate. Wedding photography is an important part of wedding planning and not a decision that should be taken lightly. Here are some steps to take in choosing the best wedding photographer for you.

To find the professional in your area, you an employ a variety of methods. Try attending local bridal shows, getting recommendations from friends and looking for reviews on the web. Wedding photographers can either be credentialed or not. While being recognized or having credentials is not required to be a good wedding photographer, it does indicate a photographer with skills in the area.

The online Wedding Photography Directory is a list of quality wedding photographers. To make the list, the photographer is screened for quality. The directory lists photographers in order of portfolio quality, services offered, travel availability and prices. The Professional Photographers Association of America certifies photographers who exhibit great skill and knowledge in the industry. To remain certified, the photographer must maintain quality. Certification is every five years, with only three percent of U.S. photographers certified. The Wedding Portrait & Photographers International organization maintains a list of wedding photographers, but does not require certification. The Wedding Photojournalist Association maintains strict membership guidelines before allowing a wedding photographer to gain membership.

Reviewing a wedding photographer’s portfolio is a great way to narrow down your choices. Ideally, the photographer should have photos from several different weddings in the portfolio for you to view. The portfolio gives you a glimpse of the photographer’s style and lets you know how your wedding photos will look. You should only consider photographers with a style that you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to ask for references. This lets you confirm that the photos you saw in the portfolio were actually taken by the photographer.

Try to get an idea of how accessible the wedding photographer is. The last thing you want to do is end up with a wedding photographer whom you can’t get in contact with after the wedding. The most accessible photographers have multiple ways for you to contact them. Some might even have an actual studio where they can be reached.

Get to know the photographer to determine how comfortable you feel around him. Since the wedding photographer is usually in the dressing room with the bride, it is important that there is a nice comfort level because the photographer will be in the room as the bride is getting dressed. You might also want to ask if the photographer works with any female photographers or assistants, which might be preferable to having a male photographer in the dressing room.

Ask the photographer how he normally shoots weddings. Some do straight digital, some straight film and others a mix of the two. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, which leaves it up to personal preference. If it is important to you, also inquire about archiving. Not all wedding photographers archive photos and offer a recovery service. You might also want to ask if the photographer offers two photographers in the event that one has a faulty SD card or film. 

Brandis Alves is a Minneapolis Wedding Photographer.