Deciding what you need
Are you planning to have a portrait done? Is your ceremony indoors or out? Are you looking for a photographer who shoots large format or digital photos? These are just a few of the questions that you need to ask yourself as you are deciding what your photography needs are. Here are some examples of questions that you should ask yourself in the first stages of planning;
 
Do you want a bridal portrait done?
Many brides today eschew the traditional portrait in favor of group pictures at the ceremony, but if you would like a formal record of the event and an heirloom photo that you can pass down to your children and their children, a formal portrait can usually be added to your wedding photos package. The sitting can be scheduled a week or so before the ceremony or can be held after you return from your honeymoon. The advantage of having a formal portrait is that you have a very controlled setting and are all but guaranteed a photo that you like. The additional cost tends to be a downside. Sitting fees and the cost of ordering additional pictures can be prohibitive for many couples.
 
Is your ceremony indoors or outdoors?
If you are getting married outdoors, be thinking of several places at the site that you would like to have used as backgrounds for your pictures. Be sure to have a back-up plan for weather problems that will allow plenty of room and shelter for the picture-taking process. If your ceremony is planned as an indoor event, you might consider having some of the photos taken outside, rather than shooting all of them indoors. This will allow you more variety.

If you are getting married indoors, what is the lighting like?
Bad lighting can wreak havoc with wedding photographs. Does your church have stained glass windows in shades of green or yellow? Is the lighting in the room where the ceremony will be held fluorescent? Will you be getting married in a candlelight ceremony or other low-light setting? These are all things that you should discuss with your photographer before you sign a contract. There are many ways around lighting problems (which include special film, taking photos at another location, the use of additional lighting, etc.), but you need to iron these problems out early to be sure that your photos turn out the way you want them to. If at all possible, try to have your chosen photographer visit your location at the time of day your ceremony will be held to get a feel for the lighting situation and come up with a game plan that will result in you looking your best in your pictures.
 
Digital, 35 mm or Large Format?
Many photographers today are switching to digital cameras that provide you with an instant look at your photographs. Others shoot 35 mm film that is easily developed and inexpensive. Still others rely on large format cameras which produce beautifully detailed photographs. So which is best? The answer really is it depends on what advantages are most important to you and which of the downsides is the biggest deterrent.
 
Digital pictures are instant and allow for a range of changes and embellishments before they are printed. If you would like to see your smile a little whiter, this is not a problem for a digital photo. Reputable photographers shoot pictures with digital cameras that photograph at 35 mm quality or better. Their cameras have professional-quality lenses and pictures are crisp and clear. The disadvantage of digital cameras is that they are nowhere near as good as a traditional camera in low-light settings, so a candlelight ceremony would be better represented using a traditional camera.
 
35 mm cameras were standard issue for photographers in many industries for many years. These cameras are still widely used by many photographers as they are extremely reliable and versatile. Different films and lenses make these cameras very adaptable to different lighting situations. However, if you are wanting a very large wedding portrait (20x30 or larger) the small size of the 35 mm negatives will often cause the photo to lose its crisp focus.
 
Large format (for these purposes, anything larger than 35 mm) cameras have a much larger negative than a 35 mm camera. This allows you o print a much larger photo without sacrificing the quality of the print. You will be able to print a poster-sized picture and be able to clearly see all the detail work on your dress. The downside here is that large format film is more expensive than 35 mm and having the film developed is also pricey. This usually translates into a higher cost for the bridal couple.
 
What part of a photo package is most important to you?
Do you want a stack of 8x10 to send to friends and family? Are you more interested in having a proof album that family members can look at and choose for themselves which pictures they would like to have printed? Are you wanting a large print for display in your house? You will want to know the answers to these questions before you begin to interview photographers. Pricing and packages vary widely, so knowing what you want will allow you to choose the photographer that offers the best price on the items that you want.
 
What kind of photos are you most interested in?
If you want posed photos with different members of a large wedding party and have large families, you will probably need a formally posed photos. With a small wedding party and fewer family members to include, more relaxed snapshot-style photos may better suit your needs.
 
Photos before or after the ceremony?
Traditionally, wedding photos are taken after the ceremony and before the wedding party makes its entrance at the reception. However, if you aren’t set on the “groom can’t see the bride before the ceremony” rule, consider having your photos taken before the ceremony. This will get you to your reception much faster and ensure that your wedding party makes it to the church on time. You can also choose to do part of the pictures before the ceremony and just leave the photos of the bride and groom together for after the ceremony.
 
Ceremony pictures?
Do you want photos taken during the ceremony? Be advised that some churches have policies about photos during the ceremony. Some do not allow photos at all, while others simply restrict the use of a flash during the ceremony. Flashing lights can be distracting to the wedding party and guests, but a good photographer knows how to get the picture and stay out of the limelight. If you want ceremony photos, let your photographer know exactly which shots you are most interested in (ie. the kiss), so that he or she is sure to catch the perfect moment.
 
Reception photos?
Most reception photos are snapshots. If your photographer shoots them, getting additional prints may be a little pricey. Consider having your photographer take a few posed photos at the reception and leaving the rest to you and your guests. You can appoint a friend or family member that happens to be handy with a camera at your reception photographer. Most people who practice photography as a hobby would be thrilled to be asked. Also consider placing a disposable camera on each table and asking your guests to take some photos of each other.

Next:Choosing the right photographer