Guest Post: How to Pick a Photographer

Selecting a wedding photographer isn’t like selecting outfits and bridal bouquets for a simple reason - you can’t see the pictures you’re buying until after you’ve made your decision. In the end, your decision will be largely a matter of faith. For many, price ends up being the primary determining factor, which doesn't make much sense when you consider that there are no second chances. After all, long after the event is over, the only things to remain are the memories and the photographs that would have captured the poignant moments of your wedding.
Here are some general guidelines to help you select the wedding photographer that’s right for you:

1. Decide what style of photography you want. You can have the purely documentary style or you can have someone who likes to artistically make everything seem dramatic. Knowing this will allow you to find a photographer who will best suit your wants and needs.

2. Look at the highlights on the wedding photographs of previous clients of your proposed photographer. Highlights are bright areas, and you should be able to see some detail in those areas. If you do not see anything, it is "blown out," something that is usually not desired (although sometimes some photos are intentionally blown out for artistic effect). A good place to look for highlights and their details is the wedding dress. You should see the garment's folds and details (sequins, lace, etc).

3. Look at the dark areas too (especially the suits and tuxedos). Like the wedding dress, you should be able to see detail in the dark areas of your photo. If it is too dark, chances are your photo is underexposed. As with the highlights, sometimes underexposure is used for artistic effects (think silhouette photos). However, you shouldn't have underexposure in the majority of your photos.

4. Look at the contrast of the previous clients' photos. Your photo should "pop out" rather than being dull and lifeless. In a black and white photo, look at the blacks and the whites. The blacks should be black and the whites should be white. If they appear to be more gray than black or white, then that is undesirable. The same concept holds true for color photos as well.

5. Look at the poses of previous clients. Decide if the majority of pictures have awkward looking subjects. A good photographer will capture candid images at the right moment without making things look awkward. They will also make sure the photo angles will be flattering and may even highlight the small details (like the wedding ring) in photos.

6. Make sure your photo looks natural. Some of the poorer wedding photographers do not color balance correctly, giving the photo an unnatural hue. Again, sometimes this is done for special effect, but it can be overdone.

7. Personal referrals. Asking friends and relatives for recommendations is a great way to begin. People who’ve had positive experiences with photographers are always happy to share their photographers’ names with you, and when you meet with the photographer, you’ll both have an immediate frame of reference from which to proceed.

8. Finally, price paid to a wedding photographer certainly matters, but this is one area you should not skimp. While hiring a photographer, you are paying for his reputation, style, experience, and overhead costs. Take care in choosing a photographer who meets your budget expectations and at the same time having a style and quality of work that is consistent with your tastes.

This article was written by the experts at WeddingPhotographyinUtah.com. They provide 300+ wedding photographers that have examples of their http://www.weddingphotographyinutah.com">Utah wedding photography. Come check out their portfolios!

You have read this article with the title Guest Post: How to Pick a Photographer. You can bookmark this page URL http://ssablues.blogspot.com/2010/04/guest-post-how-to-pick-photographer.html. Thanks!

Write by: AN - Thursday, April 22, 2010