Finding an Affordable Photographer

Q: My best friend is getting married this year. Being that a wedding should be THE utmost memorable amongst the pinnacles of special occasions in a person's life, she needs help in finding an excellent photographer (who isn't too overpriced). Someone who does beautiful work with not only color, but also black & white, sepia & using a "soft lens" to give that velvety finish. Help!

A: It's so sweet of you to be so considerate and concerned about your friend's wedding. That's great! I agree with you 100%. Photographs are a crucial element where weddings are concerned. They're one of the few tangible products that you're left with after the wedding is over! I also have to add that hiring a photographer means you're going to have that person literally in your face all day long, so the final product isn't the only thing that's important, it's also the actual individual that will be shooting the wedding. You'll want to hire someone you connect with. Somebody with a great personality and that you're comfortable being around. I've included some tips below to assist you in finding the "perfect" photographer for your friend's wedding:

1. Go to see the photographer together. How does the office look? Is it presentable and organized? This will tell a lot about a person and their work ethic. Photographers are visual people. If the work space is messy and unorganized, that may very well be a reflection of their work.

2. At the meeting, the photographer will have several albums there for your review. Look through those, but also make sure you pick a random album off a shelf or off the desk and go through that one as well. Often, photographers will hire models for photo shoots and use those albums to show clients. Unfortunately, we're not all as beautiful as the models are, and the model album may not be an accurate example of what the photographer's work is like.

3. When going through the albums, check to see there are a wide range of cultures and ethnicities presented. A good photographer will have been exposed to many cultures and that should be visible through the photos.

4. Ask for a list of references, and call them. Do it. You have nothing to lose and lots to gain. When speaking to the references, ask about the personality of the photographer, the quality of the photos, how long it took to get your pictures after the wedding, etc.

5. Ask about touch ups. If you're looking at pictures and the couple looks perfect, there have probably been lots of touch ups done to the photos, and that usually costs extra, above and beyond the package price. Let's face it...we all have blemishes and wrinkles...check to see that such things are visible in the photos. If not ,you may want to inquire about the extra costs involved in touching up photos.

6. By far, the best way to find a photographer is through word of mouth. Go with someone that has done a wonderful job for someone else that you know. If a referral isn't available, go to your local wedding shows and expose yourself to various photographers under the same roof....it will save you from having to drive around.