6 0 WEDDING GUIDE 0 J ANUARY 2018
11 tips tor choosing a wedding photographer
M
ost of your wedding day will be a blur — the cake,
the fl owers, the music, the food and drink — but
the photographs will capture those lost or missed
moments and live on forever. You owe it to your- self to do
everything you can to make them fabulous. Here’s a guide
how to not only fi nd your perfect photographer, but how to
work with them.
1. Ground Work Start Early — About a year before your
wedding date, start your search by looking for photogra-
phers in the area of your wedding venue. Search online or
ask for referrals from your wedding venue. Make phone
calls to the ones you fi nd to see if they are available for your
date and are within your budget. Ask for their website to
view galleries of weddings they have done so you can get a
sense of their quality and style.
2. What Do You Want — As you review photographers
and their photos, make note of key moments you want
captured at your own wedding: Did this Photographer get
great images that you like? Look for creative compositions
and that the images and people are in focus with nicely
blurred backgrounds. Make sure people look relaxed, and
not startled by the camera or photographer.
3. Meet Your Photographer — You can’t pick a photog-
rapher based on just their sample photos or the price, you
have to meet them. Once you have found some photogra-
phers whose work you like, try to set up an in-person meet-
ing. You need to feel comfortable with your photographer
because they’ll be capturing your every move on your wed-
ding day. You need to like your photographer’s personality
in order for them to do their best job.
4. Compare Photographer Packages — Packages should
be spelled out exactly to what the photographer is off er-
ing, plus any additional fees that could be added. Consider:
how many hours of shooting are included? What exactly
do you get? Albums, books, photo CDs? Most packages
include about four to eight hours and include everything
from pre-ceremony getting ready to the live event, to cake
and toast, to garter and bouquet, to fi rst dance and fi nally
until the end of the reception and party. It’s better to err
with a package that allows more time than you think you
need. Pay for more coverage, especially if you’re planning
a big sendoff exit.
5. Book your Photographer — Since every professional
photographer has a diff erent style, technique and person-
ality, you need to make sure the photographer you inter-
viewed and “got on good with" will be the same one who
photographs your wedding. Th e really good photographers
book weddings eight to 12 months in advance. Popu-
lar spring and summer dates fi ll up quickly. Book your
photographer as soon as you have chosen one. Booking
usually requires a nonrefundable deposit to guarantee your
date. Th e rest of the payment is usually required on or be-
fore the actual shoot day.
6. Ask For and Check References — Online reviews are
great, and that should be part of your research, but once
you’ve narrowed it down to a few photographers, ask to
speak to a previous client or two. If you are able to speak
with other previous clients, be sure to ask what they
thought of the experience — from beginning to end. Ask
if they were happy with the results of the photographs and
any other products supplied.
PHOTOS BY CURT PETERS / DIGITAL DUNES PHOTOGRAPHY
By developing a rapport with their photographer, Trent and Jenna Petersen were able to preserve perfect
moments from their special day at Heceta Head Lighthouse on July 7, 2017.
7. Get It In Writing — Once you’ve chosen your photogra- time to deal with mishaps.
pher, get in writing everything included — from the date of
10. Plan Your “First Look” — Plan a “First Look” shoot
the wedding and the times they’ll cover, to postproduction before the ceremony, where the photographer captures a
work and how and when you’ll receive the fi nal products.
few intimate moments of just the two of you. Be sure to
8. Schedule an Engagement Shoot — Once you hire a plan on at least a few shots of the two of you together be-
photographer, schedule an engagement shoot. Th is is an fore bringing in the rest of the wedding party. Th is is the
opportunity to get comfortable with your photographer time when your hair and makeup are perfect. Your clothing
while having your picture taken. Th is photo can be used is fresh and clean. Fewer guests have arrived. It’s a perfect
for “Save the Date” announcements or invitations. It can be time for photos.
used online for social media. It can be enlarged and printed
11. Be Aware of the Photographer — Look at the camera,
and matted for guests to sign the mat at the reception. Plus, be aware where it is. Smile, Smile, Smile. Look into each
it gives both you and the photographer a chance to interact other’s eyes while reading vows. Don’t hide your emotions.
and give each other feedback.
Laugh, enjoy and be happy.
9. Allow Extra Time in Schedule — On your special day,
Don’t sweat the small stuff , like a reschedule of your en-
everything will take longer than you think. Figure out gagement shoot because of rain or your bridesmaid melting
a timeline and then allow 15 extra minutes than you fi g- down during the toast, or family members playing hard to
ured! Do this for things like getting your hair done, getting get during the group shots.
dressed, the toast and cake cutting, the garter and bouquet
Allow your photographer to help keep you on schedule
toss and the group photos.
and to corral your family members.
Allowing for more time will alleviate any mishaps that
Listen as they pick the locations, frame the shots and
might happen. Misplaced wedding rings to grandma’s late know what will look best. Th at’s why you hired them. —
arrival all take extra time. Make a schedule that leaves extra Submitted by Curt Peters of Digital Dunes Photography