Selecting Your Wedding Photographers and Videographers

image by DeusXFlorida

The wedding photographers and videographers know wedding ceremonies and receptions inside out. They are in the right place at the right time and can capture the special moments. They can present you with a full record of the events and memorable moments, and the pictures are usually clear, sharp and composed.

When looking for your wedding photographers and vidoegraphers, try to get recommendations from recently married friends and family. Or ask your wedding planner (if you are using one) if they could recommend someone. You could also look in the yellow pages. Interview as many as you can well before the wedding date. Don't leave it to the last minute.

When you have a short list of wedding photographers and videographers take a look at their previous work. Ask yourself:

• Do you like the photos? 

• Was he able to capture the uniqueness of each couple? Or do all of the samples look the same? 

• Do you get along with the person? 

• Will he sell you the negatives at a later date?

By interviewing several wedding photographers and videographers you will get to know different styles and standards of work and the likely cost. Different companies have different ways of charging. Some may charge for each print, others have fees for attending the wedding, while others offer package deals for so many shots per set, and additional charges for extra prints.

Hiring both professional wedding photographers and vidoegraphers can be expensive. You may like to choose a professional photographer and have a video taken by a friend who knows how to take good shots. If you wish to have a professional capture your wedding memories allow 10 to 15 percent of your budget to do this.

Points to Consider When Selecting a Videographer

• Does the video/DVD capture the major parts of the wedding?

• Does it include spontaneous shots?

• Does the lighting look natural, or is there too much lighting?
  

• Was the camera held steady?
  

• Is the sound clear and the color sharp?
  

• Can you hear the voices, or is there a lot of background noise?
  

• Does the video run smoothly, with fades from one shot to the next?
  

• Do you get along with the person?
  

• Would you be happy with the work if it was of your own wedding?
  

• Are you sure that you have viewed complete samples of their work, showing the whole range of styles and effects?
  

• Does the videographer have a good understanding of what you want?
  

• Do you like the style - is it too busy or dull?
  

• Ask if he has a stand-by videographer, if for some reason he is unable to take the shots himself on the day.
  
• Ask if a second vidoegrapher will be needed to capture all the action at both the bride and groom's house before the wedding.
  

• How many hours of coverage are included for the wedding?
  

• What exactly does the package price include (engagement shots, bridal portrait, number of wedding prints etc)?
  

• Can the video have special effects?
  

• Are there any additional charges for overtime videographic assistants, travel time etc?
  

• How do they like payment?
  

• Can the unedited master video tape be purchased?
  

• What does the price include in the end product of the video/DVD (length of tape, number of copies, special cases etc)?
  

• Can the video be transfered to DVD.
  

• Can the original video be copied, and how much will each copy cost?
  

• Ask if you can select the music to be put on the video.
  

• How long after the wedding will my video be ready for a preliminary viewing?
  

• How long after the wedding will the video be delivered?
  

• Ask how will they be dressed for the wedding?
  

• What are your guarantees and liabilities?
  

• Can they give all details in writing?
  

• Do you have a written agreement detailing the price, moments to be captured, a highlight tape (video), cost of copies, and is there a refund guarantee if something goes wrong on the day.
  

Points to Consider When Selecting the Photographer

• Do you like the style - is it to busy or dull?
  

• Do you get along with the person?
  

• Would you be happy with the work if it was of your own wedding?
  

• Are you sure that you have viewed complete samples of their work, showing the whole range of styles and effects.
  

• Have you seen if they have captured the main events of the day, vows, speeches, cutting of the cake, bridal dance etc.
  

• Does the photographer have a good understanding of what you want?
  

• Are the pictures clear, bright, stable and in focus?
  

• How unobtrusive will you be?
  

• How will you capture close-up shots?
  

• The work you are looking at has it been shot by the person who will be doing your wedding?
  

• Do they have back up equipment and insurance?
  

• Ask if he has a stand-by photographer, if for some reason he is unable to take the shots himself on the day.
  

• Ask if a second photographer will be needed to capture all the action at both the bride and groom's house before the wedding.
  

• What exactly does the package price include (engagement shots, bridal portrait, number of wedding prints etc)?
  

• Can the photos have special effects?
  

• How many rolls of film will be used for the wedding day photos?
  

• How many hours of coverage are included for the wedding?
  

• Are there any additional charges for overtime, photographic assistants, travel time etc?
  

• How many proofs will be supplied? Will there be a charge for extra proofs?
  

• How long are the negatives kept, and for how long can orders be placed for additional prints at the same price as being quoted now?
  

• Can we choose to have gloss or matt prints, black and white shots?
  

• How do they like payment?
  

• How soon after the wedding can the proofs be seen?
  

• How long after the wedding will wedding albums be delivered?
  

• What are your guarantees and liabilities?
  

• Can they give all details in writing?
  

• How will they be dressed for the wedding?
  

• Do you have a written agreement detailing the price, moments to be captured, cost of copies, and is there a refund guarantee if something goes wrong on the day.