Selecting your wedding photographer
Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, but the photos and/or video of your wedding day will last for generations.
Choosing the person who will take those pictures and/or video is one of the most important wedding decisions you'll make.
PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE
Do you like journalistic, whimsical, romantic or even classic? Ask potential photographers whether they will use the style that captures your personality best.
LOOK AT SAMPLES
Ask to see albums that show complete weddings from start to finish. You want your wedding album to include all the important moments of our big day and viewing a complete wedding album will demonstrate the photographers ability to continually capture those moments.
ASK ABOUT EQUIPMENT
Make sure the photographer carries an extra camera in case of malfunctions.
You also want to make sure that the photographers backup equipment is equal to his/her standard equipment.
MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Discuss your budget and any special requests. Remember, the photographer will be with you for most of the day. If you don't get along, it will show in the pictures.
STARTING AND FINISH TIMES
Choose a photographer who will take as many photos as necessary to cover the event.
STILL PHOTOS OR VIDEOS?
Still photography and videography are two very different mediums having their own unique positives and if your budget allows you should definitely have both. Although different, both mediums do require extensive training to produce high-quality results and many of the same things listed on this page for you to consider with your wedding photographer also need to be considered for your vidographer. Style, contracts, meeting, equipment, start/stop time, credentials are all things that are important with both services.
One very important thing that needs to be considered with video and not photography is audio. Audio gives the videographer the ability to tell a story much more so than the moving image alone would tell. How does the videographer you are considering capture audio (Quality: does it sound clean clear and natural or does it sound like a room full of people with someone talking in it or have hiss in the background). Quality aside.. how does your videographer use the audio? Do you feel drawn into the "story" and connected with the people or did you just "hear their vows"? A good videographer will place equal or possibly even more emphasis on audio than they do the visuals!!
CHECK CREDENTIALS
Select a wedding photographer who belongs to professional associations. These organizations keep their members up to date on the latest industry trends. Also, an association member will have a qualified backup if he or she becomes ill and can't photograph your wedding.
See our directory of Columbia Wedding Photographers and videographers.
