Finding a Photographer: Part II

The interview

So, you have made a list of all of your favorite photographers who could immortalize your wedding in film stills. Furthermore, you've by now called them and made an appointment to meet with them at their office. You have called them and set that up, haven't you? That was what the list was for in the first place!

You absolutely must set up that meeting appointment. The interview is the single best opportunity for you to learn everything you can about your potential wedding photographer, so that you can make the best and most informed final decision possible.

When you arrive at the home or office of the photographer, take note of your surroundings.

• Does the place look old and run down?
• Is there strange looking writing on any of the walls?
• Did you think that you heard what might have been faint screaming in the distance?
• Is it suddenly nightfall outside?

If you find that two or more of the above happen to be the case for you: Stop where you are! You have wandered into a horror movie, and are in grave and immediate danger.

Conversely, if you find that the place is:

• Brightly lit and inviting.
• Well kept.
• Smelling sweetly of flowers or fresh cookies.

If any of these are the case, feel free to let your guard down and proceed on to your appointment and interview with the photographer.

At the photographer's office, you should be able to get an even better sense of exactly what they offer and whether or not that is to your taste. To do this, you need to ask some important questions.

Basic things to ask

• How many hours will you stay at the reception?
• How would you describe your style of photography?
• How many cameramen will there be to take pictures of the wedding?
• Will you be coming to the rehearsal?
• Will you personally be the one taking the photos?
• Do you have any reference clients that I can hear from?

Use these questions and more to figure out just what kind of levels of commitment and professionalism the photographer brings to his jobs, and whether that matches with what you need and expect for your wedding.

Of course, it is also important to find out what kind of packages and prices the photographer offers. As much as they have to fit your expectations as a photographer, they also have to fit the needs and constraints of your budget.

Post interview

So, you have met your photographer and had your questions answered. All that remains now is for you to ask yourself whether the photographer fulfills all of your needs. Does he/she seem experienced in shooting weddings like yours? Are they capable of giving you exactly what you expect? If they gave you any references during the interview, go ahead and contact them to help you figure out if the photographer is right for you.

The right wedding photographer can give you images that not only can depict the events of the day as they happened, but can capture forever all of the ephemeral beauty of the emotions and senses that occurred in those brief moments. Choose wisely.

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