A Guide for Brides to Be by Alice B. Miller

As a bride-to-be, you have many decisions to make as you plan your wedding day. Whether you realize it or not, selecting your photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Think about it: When the music stops, the food is gone, and the guests have gone home, what will help you relive the memories of your big day? Photographs.

That’s why choosing the right photographer is so important. You may have started asking friends and family for recommendations. You can also search online for professional photographers in your state or region, contact professional photographer organizations, and page through photography magazines to find professionals whose work appeals to you.

RAW photos retain significantly more information. As can be seen in this photo, the skin color retains a natural warmth while the dress remains white. Note the detail in the dress and gloves. © NyghtFalcon

Paying budget prices for ‘photographers’ who just bought their digital cameras is no bargain. As wedding and commercial fine art photographer Falcon explains, “When you consider the thousands of variables—from inconsistent lighting to people constantly in motion—and the fact that there’s no going back if the photographer lets you down, it’s unlikely a bride-to-be would hire a low-budget or inexperienced photographer if she knew what she had to lose.”

This unplanned moment was captured prior to the ceremony. Being prepared and observant is essential for a professional photographer. © Grant Oakes

To help you choose wisely, I’ve asked two photographers—Falcon, of NyghtFalcon studio (weddings.nyghtfalcon.com), North Carolina, known for their distinctive style, vibrant colors, rich detail and contrast; and Grant Oakes (www.grantoakes.com), Denver, who has a knack for capturing emotions—to come up with a few good questions for you to consider.

Back-lit images are extremely difficult because the intensity of the light obscures detail in the foreground. The fact that the photo was taken RAW combined with where the focal point was placed, helped. © NyghtFalcon

• How many photographers will be covering the wedding? It is nearly impossible for one photographer to capture everything as it happens. If your budget permits, two photographers can give you broader coverage, for example, one stays with the bride, the other with the groom; or one shoots portraits, the other candids.

One of our photographers shot this image from a balcony, while I covered more traditional angles below. Case in point why two photographers are better than one. © NyghtFalcon

• Who will actually photograph your wedding? Some photographers double- and triple-book wedding jobs then hire contract photographers to cover for them. Ask if a second-tier photographer will wind up covering your wedding.

Having the trust of your bridal couple goes a long way toward getting them to do fun—even zany—things. © Grant Oakes

• How long will the photographer spend on formal portraits? You may not want your guests to wait while you spend an hour or more taking these photos. On the other hand, decide how long you are willing to devote to taking these keepsake portraits.

Shot from above, this photo was created when the original RAW color image was converted to sepia then overlaid with elements of the color version. Note the subtle color in the child’s face and detail in the hair and eyes. © NyghtFalcon

• What is the quality of their body of work? Take a good look at the work. Are the colors sharp? Are the photos well lit or are highlights blown out? Are there details in the dark areas?

Shoot at wide-open apertures to separate the main subject from an otherwise cluttered background. © Grant Oakes

• Are the prints archive quality? The best photos in the world will fade if they were produced on a low-quality printer or plain paper. Ask if they are archive quality, if they’re guaranteed, if so for how long, and if color correction is included in the price.

This monochrome photo, converted from color, was shot in RAW mode. See the detail in the hair, face, and eye. Were this from a JPEG file, the skin would be flat, lacking color, and the hair less detailed. © NyghtFalcon

• Are you really clear about your expectations? Tell the photographer exactly what you expect, including ratio of posed portraits to candids, if you want an album or a book, a closing shot, etc. Assume nothing. Spell it all out.

• Do you know exactly what’s included in the package? Before you sign on the dotted line, ask questions and be certain you know what the photographer is offering for the quoted price. Digital retouching takes time and skill, so expect to pay for color correction, special effects, etc.

This color-over-B&W image adds drama to the experience of a young girl walking down the aisle before the bride began her long walk. This photo would have been impossible if the bride had just received a CD of JPEGs after the wedding. © NyghtFalcon

Adds Grant, “While it’s not always wrong to hire an inexperienced photographer, it takes a lot more than megapixels, a good eye, and a flash to be a wedding photographer. Ask about their experience and training, and the names of clients who would be willing to talk to you about their experience. Budget is a big consideration, so know what you’re getting for your money. Some key facts to find out:

• Does the photographer have a website? If not, chances are he or she probably isn't committed to the profession yet. If he or she has a website, learn what you can about the photographer, studio, work.

The light in this room always enters at a strange angle. On a lighter skinned woman, details of the face and dress can be quickly overexposed and lost. On a darker skinned woman, areas of the face can become too dark and lost. © NyghtFalcon

• What is his or her style? When you see a few finished wedding albums, you’ll get a sense of the photographer’s style, specialties, and skill. Anyone can show a few good images from different events, but a true pro will have a body of work that shows consistency.

By developing rapport with clients, almost anticipating their behavior, a trained photographer will catch some funny moments. © Grant Oakes

• Does she offer albums, books, or simply shoot and hand over CDs? Resist the temptation to hire a shoot-and-burn photographer. A low-price package may sound good on a tight budget, but it may rule out any chance of making a quality album or portrait enlargements at a later date.

• Does the photographer have a backup plan? No professional would cover a wedding without two or three cameras, extra lenses, media cards, etc. Most photographers won’t miss shooting a wedding due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, but they have a backup plan should something prevent them from carrying out their assignment.

• Is the photographer a good fit for you? This may be the most important and the toughest question to answer. Trust your instincts! I recommend that younger brides have mom or dad there when interviewing photographers. They may observe things that tell them the photographer is a good fit—or a poor choice.

“In the weeks, months, and years following your wedding, you’ll have the images to remind you of that day and the feelings you shared,” says Oakes. “Consider them an investment in years of memories, an heirloom to be passed down to your children.”

Very fast, large-aperture lenses can gather small amounts of available light, eliminating the need for harsh flash fill. © Grant Oakes

Alice B. Miller, the former editor of Studio Photography magazine, is a writer and editor based on Long Island, New York. The editor of award-winning corporate and association publications for over 25 years, Alice has a clientele that includes photoimaging industry manufacturers, publications, photographers, and associations. She is a member of the International Photographic Council’s board of directors and has served as a juror for the Black & White Spider Awards and for the Center for Fine Art Photography. She may be reached at alice@photogrator.com.