The Five Things to Check When Hiring a Wedding Photographer

I have had the chance to hire a handful of wedding photographers in my day. I have had family members get married and have played an active role in the hiring process of many of the vendors who took care of the event. One of the most important hires that is made to help celebrate and remember the wedding event is the wedding photographer. I have listed my top 5 items to pay attention to when hiring a wedding photographer.
The first is price. I say this because there are some absolutely fantastic wedding photographers available today who have only recently begun to do weddings because of the downturn in the economy. It is important that you check the price of the package before you begin to engage the person or company in any significant dialogue. I have found that many times people begin to really like the work of certain photographer only to then learn that the price of the service is far out of reach for the person purchasing the service. Learn this quickly and save yourself and the vendor their precious time.
The second is quality of work. Be sure to have the chance and to take the time to review the work done for other clients of theirs after you have described what type of service you are looking for. This will give you a comfortable feeling about the photographer and allow you to be relax while enjoying your big day. Many photographers have a certain style that they tend to stick with. If the style of your vendor is very different than the style that you would like to have at your wedding, consider that a reason to say no.
The third area is professional appearance. This is important because every one of your guests will look at the wedding photographer and will watch them work throughout the course of the big event. Be sure that they have a professional appearance and that they have the ability to blend in as much as possible. The best way to get a solid feeling for this is to actually go and see them work. Take advantage of the offer if it is available to you to go to see them. That visit can reassure your choice and allow you to be that much more comfortable on your wedding day.
The fourth area to look into is the area of the album preparation. Be sure to check out the wedding albums of past clients and be sure to find one that is similar to the one you would like to have as your keepsake. Many photographers offer video services and complete album packages. Get the one you want, that you can afford, and one that the vendor has provided before. You do not want to be the first to try a new service out on your wedding day.
Finally, follow up service is extremely important. When you speak with a reference, ask them about how prompt the vendor is at getting back to them when they had questions or concerns. Many vendors are very attentive before a sale is made but then less than quick when the money has changed hands.
By following these simple guidelines you can be sure you have the wedding you always dreamed of.