How to find a wedding photographer: Part 1

The Big Question.

The absolute first question that you must answer when setting out to get yourself a wedding photographer is this: Do I want a professional wedding photographer?

Maybe you don't want traditional wedding photos. Maybe you just haven't made up your mind. Or maybe you have another idea on how to preserve your wedding memories.

What a great idea...

We've all seen "Wedding Crashers", so we all know just how great and cute of an idea it is to give out disposable cameras at a wedding reception and let the guests take the priceless candid shots that you know they will. In reality, however, your priceless shots will probably consist of captures of such great moments as your college room mate Ron downing his third whiskey sour, Aunt Ethel stashing food in her purse, and another shot of Ron from later in the night dancing with his pants around his ankles. In short, unless a lot of your close friends are professional photographers, the only memories you are going to capture are the ones you would much rather forget.

No, that won't do. So what if you still aren't sure if you want a photographer at your wedding? Well then this is your lucky day, because I am here to set you right. Provided below is a handy flow chart (made by yours truly using wondrous Paint.net technology) that can walk you through the entire wedding photography decision making process in an easy to follow, step-by-step fashion.

So, now that you have decided that you do indeed want a professional wedding photographer (or if you don't, you have vacated the premises as instructed), how do you go about securing the camera person that is right for you?

The interview phases.

Finding the right wedding photographer is really a three phase process:

1. Pre-Interview.


2. Interview.


3. Post Interview.

For now we will stick to covering phase one: The pre-interview. During the pre-interview phase you want to compile a list of all of the wedding photographers that you can find that you seem to like, or have heard good things about. The list itself is easy enough to make once you know where to find the information.

Making your list: Referrals.

The first and best place to find the name of a good wedding photographer is through referrals. Your recently married friends are always going to be the most reliable source when it comes to who is a good photographer (and who should be avoided at all costs). Likewise, your other vendors, having been to countless weddings themselves, can tip you off to their favorite camera person.

Photographer associations: Very helpful.

Another great way to find potential photographer candidates is through the DPPA web page. The DPPA, or the Detroit Professional Photographer's Association, is a place for the best pro shutterbugs in Michigan to network and grow their businesses. The website offers links and information for many of the members, and is a great way to help pad your list of potential candidates.

What's next?

So, now that you've completed your list of potential photographer candidates, how do you find the one that is right for you? Wouldn't you like to know... And you will, but in the next installment. Until then, remember that you need to compile your list of photographers, the easiest way to do that being:

1. Through referrals from friends and other vendors.


2. By checking out different photographers in business organizations like the DPPA.

As always, you are welcomed, nay encouraged, to continue the discussion in the comments section.

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