How to Choose a Professional Wedding Photographer
Answers to the 22 most commonly asked questions on wedding
photography - By Danny Steyn
Weddings, like similar once-in-a-lifetime
situations, require an intuitive sensitivity for the situation,
and outstanding photographic technical competency. There are no
second chances. Brides and
 Grooms entrust the professional wedding
photographer with this, the most precious time of their lives, and
in so doing create a strong partnership, if only for a fleeting
moment.
It never ceases to amaze me that in the search for a professional
wedding photographer, very often decisions are made on the basis
of price. If there is one thing I can advise you on, price should
be the least determining factor. What you should be looking for in
a professional wedding photographer is the ability to capture this
one moment for ever, in a way that you will enjoy viewing those
images for the rest of your life. For no matter how small or large
your wedding might be, you will remember absolutely nothing of
your wedding, it will be a haze in your memory and the only
reminder of your wedding will be the beautiful images captured by
your invaluable professional wedding photographer. You will
treasure these wedding photos for years. You will use these images
to recall those moments that you cannot remember. You will look at
these wedding photos with your grandchildren and you will
reminisce about that wonderful day in your life
 Being given this moment, we as professional wedding photographers
earn the trust of complete strangers, and in the process enter
into very personal relationships with our clients. This
relationship between wedding photographer and client might only
last several hours, but the results of the relationship will last
forever, in your wedding albums, in framed prints that hang from
your walls, stand proudly framed on your dresser, desktops and in
your parents homes.
So how do you, the bride and groom, go shopping for a professional
wedding photographer?
What follows below are several pointers to guide you in your
search for a professional wedding photographer. They have been
formulated from my 20 plus years as a very successful wedding
photographer, gaining most of my clients from word-of-mouth
referrals. 1. Why hire a Professional Wedding Photographer?
If you are on a budget, you might be tempted to
get a friend to photograph your wedding. He might even be a
skilled amateur photographer. But this is one area where you do
not want to try to save money. You have only one shot at your
wedding photography; you do not get any second chances. A
professional wedding photographer makes all the difference. The
wedding photographer will be the one person who has a lasting
effect on the memory of your wedding. A professional wedding
photographer is reliable, prompt and will deliver on time. Having
photographed numerous weddings, an experienced professional
wedding photographer will be in his element at your wedding, not
nervous and under pressure like an amateur. A professional wedding
photographer uses the best color processing laboratories that
deliver uncompromising quality. Professional wedding photographers
are experienced in working efficiently with the limited time
available, and are comfortable directing the family groups during
the formal group photography. When you consider the entire
wedding, the cost of professional wedding photography is fairly
small. Do not skimp. It will come back to haunt you.
2. How do I search for
the Professional Wedding Photographer?
A recommendation is the best way to gain
confidence in a
professional wedding photographer. In the
absence of a recommendation y ou will have to go looking. The fact
that you are reading this article online indicates that you will
most probably search for your professional wedding photographer on
the internet. This is a good way to reach a large number of
wedding photographers, and also to reach professional wedding
photographers outside your immediate geographic area.
A good professional wedding photographer will travel frequently to
exotic wedding destinations for his clients. You can look for a
local professional wedding photographer, or for a wedding
photographer who will travel to your locale. For couples getting
married in the Caribbean Islands, it is often advisable to hire a
South Florida based wedding photographer as opposed to an
island-based photographer. This way you have the opportunity to
meet with the photographer prior to the wedding, and you will have
easier access to the wedding photographer after the wedding. It
will also offer you more recourse in the event of dissatisfaction.
You will be expected to cover all expenses related to travel.
3. How do I narrow
down the Professional Wedding Photographer Short List?
Examine the wedding photographer’s portfolios
whether they be at his premises or his online portfolios. Look for
a style of wedding photography that suits your own particular
style. Are you looking for traditional classic wedding
photography, or do you want a more casual candid approach? Have
you considered the photojournalistic style of wedding photography?
A good professional wedding photographer is capable of offering
all styles, but might specialize in one style. Look at what styles
he offers in his wedding portfolios.
4. When do I speak
with my Professional Wedding Photographer?
You do need to speak to your potential wedding
photographer very early on in your planning process. Good
professional wedding photographers are often booked up months and
even years in advance. You need to secure your photographer as
soon as possible.
The way you are received on the phone should give you some
indication of how you will be able to connect with the
photographer in person. Having a close professional working
relationship is a vital requirement. Be sure that your wedding
photographer is approachable, calm, collected, listens to you and
actually pays attention to your requests and questions.
Establish whether your potential wedding photographers are
available on your wedding date. Find out whether the marquee
photographer (normally the owner of the business) will be doing
your photography. It is important to note that the large wedding
studios employ many second and even third tier photographers, one
of whom may be assigned to your wedding.
If you are not going to get the services of the marquee wedding
photographer, establish who will be the actual photographer
assigned to your wedding, and make sure that you see portfolios
shot by the photographer that will be assigned to your wedding.
Does the 2nd tier photographer have the technical expertise, the
artistic expertise? Does the photographer have an eye for the
memorable image?
5. Why should I meet
with my Professional Wedding Photographer?
Based on what you have found, make your first
choice and arrange a meeting with the wedding photographer. This
meeting will tell you a lot about the photographer, whether it be
the marquee wedding photographer, or the assigned
 wedding
photographer. Both Bride and Groom, if possible, should attend
this meeting. You will quickly tell if you are going to get along,
whether you and your wedding photographer are on the same page.
Are you comfortable with the photographer, does he make you feel
at ease? Does he really listen to what you have to say? What style
of photography does the wedding photographer prefer to shoot? What
style does he think would suit you? Does he offer references with
telephone number for you to call and se how they enjoyed the
experience? And when you leave, did you feel as though you had met
someone who could become your friend?
If you have a positive face-to-face experience with the
professional wedding photographer, and the technical and artistic
expertise exceeds your expectations, this is the time to discuss
all aspects of the wedding photography. Ask the difficult
questions. Don’t hold back. Get them off your chest. I have listed
most of the important questions below
6. How much does a
professional wedding photographer cost?
Prices can range from as low as $1,000 to well
over $10,000. You should expect to pay a minimum of $1,500 for a
small wedding on a weekday or Sunday, and a minimum of $2,500 for
a Saturday wedding. If you are offered a wedding package under
$1,000, you are probably dealing with an inexperienced wedding
photographer and you could be at risk of inferior photography.
Better wedding photographers will charge upwards of $2,500. Most
couples underestimate the cost of good wedding photography,
sometimes by as much as 50%. So expect to pay more than twice what
you expected. Your total amount you spend on your professional
wedding photography will probably be at least 20% of your total
wedding budget.
7. How much time does
a professional wedding photographer need in order to give me what
I need? 
The time the photographer spends photographing
your wedding is dependant on the events you want covered. The
options are endless, they are entirely up to you, and include
-
Rehearsal dinners and services
-
Bride’s preparation
-
Formal bride and bridesmaid photography prior
to the wedding
-
Formal bride and groom photography prior to
the wedding
-
Wedding ceremony
-
Leaving the church (ceremony)
-
Formal group photography
Reception photography, including speeches, first
dance, bouquet toss, garter toss, cake cutting and departure of
the bride and groom
8. How many wedding
photographs should I get?
Most professional wedding photographer now include
the price of the proofs (now typically 4x6” prints) in their
package. This number will be dependent on the amount of film shot.
Photographers will remove all unflattering photos from the proofs.
A minimum of 120 - 150 photos is typical, allowing you to select
the best ones for your album and enlargements.
9. Who keeps the
wedding photography negatives? 
Some professional wedding photographers retain the
negatives, and have the clients order reprints and enlargements as
necessary. They make a portion of their income based on the
reprint and enlargement orders. They will keep their negatives on
file for at least two years allowing you the opportunity to order
reprints up to two years after the wedding. Other photographers
hand over the negatives to the client. They usually charge more
for this approach as they forgo the future reprint income. Decide
which option is best for you and tell your wedding photographer.
10. What about wedding
photography packages?
Professional wedding photographers often price
their wedding photography in terms of packages that include
enlargements and albums. This is often a sensible approach for the
client as the photographer has the artistic eye to arrange the
photos and enlargements in the album in an artistic and sensible
display, often at a fraction of the cost that you would be able to
do yourself. The cost of the wedding photography package you
choose will depend on several factors.
Albums, type of albums and parents albums. There
are many different types and styles of wedding photo albums from
the inexpensive to the very pricey. The more expensive albums will
endure better and give you a lifetime of happy viewing. Ask to see
samples.
11. What about black
and white wedding photography?
Clients often like the timeless feel and beauty of
black and white images. All good professional wedding
photographers will offer both black and white and color wedding
photography. Black and white prints can be made from color film,
but good wedding photographers will shoot with professional black
and white negative film. Black and white photography is more
expensive than color photography. Hand printing of black and white
enlargements will add incredible beauty and atmosphere to any
wedding album. Professional wedding photographers have access to
professional black and white printers. Be prepared to pay for good
quality printing.
12. What lighting will
the professional photographer use and will it ruin the service?
 Outdoor photographs are usually made with ambient
daylight and the use of reflectors to minimize harsh shadows.
Fill-in flash is also used outdoors to remove shadows. Photography
indoors normally requires the use of artificial lighting, normally
flash. These days on-camera flash units are suitable for most
applications, but in the more expensive weddings, professional
wedding photographers will use flash bounced off tripod-mounted
umbrellas, often using radio controlled triggers. Photography in
the church is a delicate matter, and often flash is avoided if
there is enough ambient light. Certain churches restrict the use
of flash. Fast films reduce the need for artificial light but
sacrifice image quality.
Choose the time of day with your photography in mind. Choosing
your wedding late in the afternoon could mean that you will have
no light for natural ambient light photographs. Ensure that you
leave allow enough time for the daylight photography.
13. Should the wedding
photographer use filters?
A good wedding photographer will use filters
sparingly. Soft focus photos give a romantic mood but soft focus
filters should be used sparingly. Most of your photos should crisp
and sharp. Graduated sunset filters can enhance the mood of a
setting sun, polarizing filters can enhance the color saturation
in daylight. With the software available today, it is easy to add
a filter effect to a non filtered negative, yielding a high
quality enlargement with a filtered effect. It is not possible to
reverse the effects of a shot photographed with a filter.
14. What camera
equipment will the professional wedding photographer use?
Wedding photographers typically have the choice of
several formats:
Larger format negatives yield better definition
and better quality prints. The cost of the wedding photography
increases with increasing format size. Color saturation and
contrast is a function of the type of film and the quality of
processing. Professional wedding photographers use only the best
professional quality negative film. The new developments in film
technology mean that the 35mm format has become an acceptable
format for wedding photography and yields outstanding quality
enlargements to 11 x 14 inches. For larger enlargements, larger
formats will yield visibly better results.
15. What style of
wedding photography should I choose?
Wedding photographers normally have a preferred
style, whether it be
 classic/traditional, informal/candid or
photojournalistic. The photojournalistic style lends itself to
telling the story as it unfolds. The classic traditional style
captures the romance, affection and mood of the event and is still
the most popular choice. Non-conventional clients often go for a
more casual approach to their wedding photography. This is
typically carried through to their entire wedding, shirts and
slacks as opposed to Tuxedos, barefoot in the beach sand as
opposed to patent leather shoes.
The really good professional wedding photographer should be
equally comfortable in all three styles. It is up to you to decide
what you want, and possibly request all 3 styles in your album.
16. Why do some
professional wedding photographers insist on an assistant?
Wedding photography has to be accomplished in a
very short space of time and often involves moving lots of
equipment, organizing many groups of people, film changes, lens
and filter changes. This is normally too much for one person yet
there are professional wedding photographers who photograph
weddings solo. Having an assistant helps the professional wedding
photographer concentrate on the images, not on the unnecessary
details. The bride should appoint at least one person as the
wedding photographer’s liaison, and who can help with organizing
the groups for the wedding party group photography. Another person
to assist the solo wedding photographer is also advisable.
17. Why do
professional wedding photographers insist on a schedule of
events?
A lot of photography has to be accomplished in a
short time and often critical moments are over in a matter of
seconds and the unprepared wedding photographer might miss the
moment altogether. A well-detailed script will give the wedding
photographer a timetable that prepares him for the proceedings.
18. Should we do the
formals before or after the ceremony?
If formal photographs are important to you,
set-aside time prior to the ceremony so that the wedding
photographer can take his time in getting posed formal photographs
out of the way. If you rely on formal photographs being taken
between the ceremony and the reception, this means that the
wedding photographer has limited time to get all the formal
photography completed. This often takes longer than expected and
this is normally responsible for the guests waiting forever for
the bride and groom to arrive at the reception.
 19. Why do
professional wedding photographers restrict other photographer’s
activities?
There can only be one director of proceedings and
having several photographers all vying for the attention of the
subjects is a recipe for disaster. Flashes from other
photographer’s cameras can trigger the professional wedding
photographers slaves, ruining his shots.
20. Who owns copyright
to the photos?
The professional wedding photographer is the
creator of the images and therefore is the owner of the copyright.
Even if the photographer hands over the negatives, the copyrights
still vests with the photographer. Ensure that you have the
photographer’s permission before making reprints, or submitting
your photos to a magazine or newspaper. You may not sell any
images without the photographers written permission.
21. Do I need to sign
a professional wedding photography contract?
All professional wedding photographers will
require you to sign a wedding photography contract that specifies
the terms and conditions of the agreement between you and the
photographer. Make sure that you read and understand the contract.
It will describe everything from payment policies to cancellation
policies.
22. What are normal
payment terms for professional wedding photography
All professional wedding photographers require a
deposit to secure the wedding date. This can be as little as $250
or as much as 50% of the wedding photography fee. Typically 50 %
of the wedding fee is due 30 - 60 days prior to the wedding and
the balance payable on the day of the wedding. Additional costs
are typically invoiced after the wedding on receipt of the
photographs.
Now that you have had your most important wedding photography
questions answered, you should be in a position to choose your
professional wedding photographer. Choose with care and good luck.
And for a no obligation quote, call me to find out about our
affordable wedding packages.
Danny Steyn
12 November 1998
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