Hiring Event Photographers

Tips and advice for hiring photographers for your event. Tell us your experience.

Ask family, friends, and recent newlyweds for recommendations, and set up interviews. You can also consult the yellow pages and wedding vendors, but exercise extra caution in checking work samples and references if you find your photographers in this manner.
Step 2
Request to see a complete coverage of each photographer's work - that is, ask for a picture portfolio of an entire wedding for which he or she was hired.
Step 3
Choose an overall photographic style that suits you, whether photojournalistic, candid, formal posed portraits, artsy with added dramatic flourishes, color, or black-and-white for a romantic, classy look - or select a blend of a number of styles. Which can the prospective photographer deliver?
Step 4
Consider the photographer's personality. Decide if you share a vision and will get along well. Remember, the photographer will be your shadow before and during the event.
Step 5
Check prices, including those of packages offered and numbers of prints included. Remember, it may be worth it to invest in a good photographer if it means that the memories of the day will be captured perfectly or near-perfectly on film.
Step 6
Schedule a follow-up meeting to hammer out specifics ' specific shots you want and don't want, the shooting schedule on the day of the wedding, film development, how many rolls will be shot, the number of proofs available and the negatives policy (how long they're available and whether they're for sale).

Warnings & Tips

Confirm that the photographer you hire will be the one to actually shoot the pictures.
Book early; the best wedding photographers get booked a year in advance.
Find a photographer who either is a pro or is excited about shooting weddings, and who brings some personal flair to his or her work.