Find a Wedding Photographer

How to Select a Wedding Photographer
By Juan Carlos Torres

Selecting a wedding photographer can be a daunting task. Not only does the photographer need to be able to produce outstanding memories of your wedding day but also has to be able to fit into the celebration and be highly professional every step of the way.

Often couples make the mistake of basing their decision on wedding photography entirely on price. At the end couples that decide on price get what they pay for.

It is wise to keep your budget in mind when selecting a photographer but it should not be an excuse no to do your homework and evaluate the quality and professionalism of the photographer. Remember, you will have to live with the consequences of your decision.

How to evaluate a wedding photographer?

The style of the wedding photography is very important. Is the photographer a photojournalist with heavy emphasis in documenting the wedding without directing? Do you prefer posed photographs with preplanned posing and controlled lights? Most couples these days prefer a combination of journalistic and traditional wedding photography. They look for a photographer that can capture the true emotion and spirit of the celebration as well as portraits that deserve to be framed.

Whatever style you prefer the photographer has to be a master of the craft. Take a close look at the photographer's portfolio. Is the work consistent? Insist on looking at a complete wedding. After photographing 20 weddings, it is easy to have 20 lucky shots. Very few photographers have the guts to show you a complete wedding. Only the good ones do.

Are the photographs a true representation of the photographer's work?
If you are considering a studio that has several photographers insist on looking at the work of the photographer that is going to photograph your wedding.

Does the studio or photographer offer high quality albums and custom printing? Nowadays it is common for some photographers to offer to photograph the wedding and hand you the proofs and a CD or the negatives with the photos and be done with you. Are you going to be happy with a set of proofs or would you want a fine album with custom printed photographs?

Has the photographer been in business for a considerable amount of time? Is this his first wedding? Is he a commercial or sports photographer beginning wedding photography? There is nothing wrong with starting out in a different photography field but you, as the client, need to know this. Wedding photography requires special artistic, technical, and people skills and a wedding it is not the place for a beginner to learn. Somebody interested in learning wedding photography should perhaps accompany a seasoned pro to weddings for some time before venturing out on his own.
Does the photographer carry good quality equipment and backup of camera bodies, lenses, tripod, lights etc? You will be surprised to learn that many photographers go to weddings with only one camera. God help you if that camera breaks in the middle of your wedding.

Personality plays a very important role in wedding photography. Hire the wrong photographer and you and your guests will suffer the consequences. Does the photographer listen to you? Does he have a controlling personality? Does he abide by the rules of the church, temple, or synagogue? Does he want to steal the show and be the center of attention? Does he have people skills? Does he dress professionally? Does he look and smell clean?

Before hiring your photographer please make sure that you answer all the questions above. As a last precaution check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are unsolved complains against your potential photographer.
Have a happy wedding and enjoy your beautiful photos. Please don't forget to feed your photographer he or she will be working hard to capture your wedding memories.

Juan Carlos Torres is a one of the most respected and awarded wedding photographers in Oregon. He has a Masters Degree in Remote Sensing with a strong background in digital image processing and photography. His wedding photographs are unique and very artistic and have been featured in national and international magazines. For a sample of his works please visit http://www.juancarlosphoto.com and http://www.willamettephoto.com

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Why not let your personality shine through with a theme wedding. With a little imagination you can plan a wedding that your guests will not soon forget.

Luau Make your guests feel like they are in Hawaii.

Decorate your reception hall with tiki torches; orchids; and palm fronds. Play traditional Hawaiian music (with Ukulele).

For food and drinks serve pupu platters and mai tais.

For party favors you could give each guest a flower lei

Patriotic Wedding Choose a historic site.

Bridesmaids’ gown and accessories can be red, white, and blue.

You can have fifes and drums.

For food have an old fashioned barbecue.

Serve ice cream and cake with sparklers on top.

All decorations and table linens should be red, white, and blue.

Nautical Weddings

A nautical wedding can be on a yacht, at a yacht club or, even a beach.

For decorations use colorful signal flags.

The bride can wear a straw boater hat instead of a veil and the men can wear blue blazers and khaki pants.

For food you could serve your favorite seafood.

Seashells make delightful centerpieces.

New Orleans Mardi Gras Wedding

Hire a Jazz or Zydeco band

For food you could serve: Cajun, gumbo, crawfish, jambalaya, and an oyster bar

For drinks serve Hurricanes

Give your guests beads as party favors

Kentucky Derby Theme How about a day at the races?

The bride and bridesmaids should wear fabulous hats.

Music should have a bluegrass feel.

For drinks serve Mint Juleps

Give your guests fancy paper fans as party favors.

You may want to arrive in a horse-drawn carriage.

Medieval Wedding - Take your guests back to another time

The couple and attendants should dress in period costumes

For food you could have a carving board, featuring a variety of roasts and other hearty foods.

You can even do the traditional medieval “hand fasting” ritual - The couple face each other, cross arms and hold hands. The best man then ties their hands with a ribbon so that they form the sign for “infinity” while reciting their vows.

Christmas Wedding - What a magical time of year!

The bride can wear a white velvet gown, red cape, and a white fur muff.

Bridesmaids can be dressed in red or white velvet.

For music you can play festive Christmas music. A cute idea would be to have children pass out song sheets and have a Christmas carol -sing-a-long.

For decorations you can use poinsettias, holly and pinecones for centerpieces. A sparkling Christmas tree will put your guests in a festive mood.

The bride can carry holly and gold painted pomegranates. While the bridesmaids carry holly wreaths with tiny silver bells.

Cute Christmas tree ornaments make nice party favors.

Harvest Weddings - Great for Fall Weddings

Decorate your reception hall in cranberry, pumpkin, deep greens, and sables.

For centerpieces use cornucopias with overflowing fruits and vegetables. Pumpkins and gourds also make cute centerpieces. You could cut out the pumpkins for flowers.

The bride could carry autumn flowers and leaves.

Serve comfort food such as a Thanksgiving style-buffet.

Jasmine Macdonald is the publisher of several wedding themed sites. You can visit her daily wedding blog at http://funweddings.wordpress.com. Jasmine also publishes a website which allows you to make your very own wedding website. You can check it out at: http://www.fun.createswebsites.com for a FreeTrial Offer!

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