Selecting somebody for a very personal, and (hopefully) once in a lifetime job needn’t be stressful chore. By allowing time and by adequately preparing, you can make sure that you’ve done all that is reasonably within your power to make the right choice.

The challenge
You only have one chance, just one day to make everything work, and it involves the photographer working with and getting the best out of a large number of potentially chaotic variables including the weather, the location / the venue, the guests, and of course you and your partner!

So what variables do you, the potential bride or groom need to deal with in advance, to make sure you can select a photographer who can comfortably rise to the challenge, delight you with their service, and provide you with lasting good feelings about and memories of the wedding experience?

THE CHECKLIST
Here’s a general checklist that you might want to use as a basis for the selection of your wedding photographer:

Initial Sweep and Selection
Wedding photographers will advertise locally, but if you can get a recommendation from a good friend or member of the family, then all the better. Websites can also provide a good way to view some of the photographer’s work, gather some useful information, and perhaps read some testimonials.

The main thing to remember is to try and set up a meeting where you can ask questions face to face, and see some good, recent examples of their work.

The Timescales
Good wedding photographers have a busy schedule so try and book them a long time in advance of the wedding date.

You will need to find out how long the wedding photographer intends to stay at the wedding and reception.

It’s also worth finding asking how long it will be after the wedding before the proofs will be available for you to look at.

The Person
When you meet your prospective photographer(s), you will get a good impression of whether you and your family will be able to get along with them, whether they are helpful and approachable, and whether you can have any kind of rapport with them – this will be important on your wedding day.

If possible, make sure the photographer is presentable and tidy.

If they have any references you can read, ask to see them.

A good wedding photographer should be able to anticipate and be immediately forthcoming about the main things you want to ask and know about the whole process – this will be sign of experience.

The Experience
Find out whether the prospective photographer is a wedding specialist, how long they’ve been a wedding photographer and roughly how many weddings have they been the photographer for / how frequently . These points will give a good indication of whether you’re on the right track.

It’s also worth finding out whether they have experience of your particular wedding location and venues, and whether they can work well with any other parties who may be involved e.g. caterers or co-ordinators.

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