How should I choose a photographer?

Any advice about how to choose a photographer would be appreciated. What should we look for? What sort of price range is reasonable? There are so many packages offered -- where to begin? And how many hours do we need the photographer?

Re: How should I choose a photographer?

These are questions you should be asking?

How long have you been in business?
How long have you been photographing weddings?
Are you a member of any professional organization?
Can I see the portfolio of the photographer that will shoot my wedding?
Are the dates I need available?
What type of deposit is required, and until what date can it be refunded?
What kind of equipment do you have, and can you shoot in any light available?
What types of packages are available?
Is there a standard wedding package?
Are portraits available?
How soon after the wedding will the proofs be ready?
What other services do you provide?
Who, specifically, will photograph the wedding?
May I speak with him/her?
Do you do negative retouching?
How long are the negatives retained?
Are diffused lighting, soft focus, split framing, multiple exposures, etc. available?
How long will you stay at the Ceremony/ Reception?
What album styles are available?
What sizes of prints are offered?
Do you offer mini gift albums for reletives?
What is the cost of additional prints?
How many photographers will be assigned to my wedding?
What time will they arrive/ depart?
How many portraits and how many candids will you shoot?
Are the proofs included in a package, or can they be purchased?
How many months advanced notice is required to reserve a photographer?
What is the approximate cost?

Are special mountings available, and at what cost?
How will the photographer and crew be dressed?

Re: How should I choose a photographer?

The price depends on a number of things.
Do you want photojournalistic or traditional? How many albums?
How many pics in album?
What kind of album? traditional/coffee table digitaletc?
I would say you need a photgrapher for at least 10 hours.
HOw many photgraphers, 1 or 2?
Do you keep negatives?

Re: How should I choose a photographer?

I narrowed it down by the type of photography I was interested in.

Do you like traditional, photojournalistic, or a little of both? Once I figured that out, I just checked out websites to see some of their work. If I liked their work, I made an appointment to see them. Then I went on what I saw in their photos, philosophy, and personality.
Prices vary, from $2,000, to whatever price you're willing to pay! My photographer doesn't offer packages, so I don't know what's standard, but I think they are all pretty similar.
My photographer will probably be with us for about 10 hours.

Good luck!

Re: How should I choose a photographer?

We just went with our gut feeling. We loved their work and we felt so comfortable with them. Nothing else was a factor. We walked in and it just felt right for both of us I know that really does not help Sorry

Re: How should I choose a photographer?

I wanted to add one more thing. This person is going to be with you all day long so make sure that you feel comfortable and that you really like him/her. Good luck!

Re: How should I choose a photographer?

bump

Re: How should I choose a photographer?

we went to a lot of places. it came down to two that we really liked. it ultimately was our gut feeling. we just felt very comfortable with the photographer that we chose.