Wedding photographers have a great opportunity in front of them: the chance to capture the unique expressions and moments at one of the biggest days of a couple's life. Weddings are important to us all, and good wedding photography provides a tangible reminder of that special day. However, there are some challenges to taking great wedding portraits that require a good photographer.

After all, weddings and other important events don't come with second chances. Unlike a studio portrait, if the photos don't come out well, you can't do it all over again to get some new shots. The person you hire to do your wedding photography needs to be able to guarantee that they'll take good quality shots when it comes to your big day.

This is why you have to know you'll be working with an experienced person who knows what they're doing and has the skill to capture your precious moments. Be sure you hire someone who's understanding, open minded, and values your wedding as an individual occasion, not as one of a series. You need someone with an understanding of why wedding photography is so important, who knows what they're doing.

A good wedding photographer will have the special training that allows them to handle all the details and unique features of a wedding, no matter which type of ceremony it is. He or she should know how to take pictures of contemporary weddings, traditional ones, and everything in between, including civil ceremonies and many different religious events.

The wedding photographer should also understand that no one should be pushed into a mold on their big day. That means taking spontaneous, free photography, not stiff, posed portraits. Photographers who aren't willing to work with you on the most important day of your life as a couple shouldn't take your photos.

A good quality wedding photography service should also use the best and latest technology to produce your photos, ensuring high quality images. Avoid photographers who stick with outdated equipment (unless they're experts in film photography, which is more and more rare these days) and go with someone who'll use the equipment needed to produce truly beautiful images.

Good lighting, positioning and other elements are what's needed to make your photos great. A photographer who understands what they're doing will be able to give you beautiful, memorable images that offer a pleasant reminder of your big day for years to come. A less good photographer will produce images that look good, but just don't have the emotional impact that a better photo could offer.

This is why it's so important to make sure that you're hiring a photographer or photography service that has the attitude, equipment and experience to provide great results. Look for good customer service and a photographer who knows what you need. You'll get great photos that help you enjoy your memories for years to come.

Having the perfect wedding photographer for your wedding day is essential. Find out how Viva Wedding Photography get it right the first time, every time, because thre is no second chance.

In the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding, finding a great wedding photographer just seems like a difficult task. After all, you really don't know what you're getting half the time and if you hire a proper studio to do the job, you'll end up paying a small fortune! So, how do you know whether or not a photographer is good at what he or she does?

Here you'll find tips on how to check out a wedding photographer before you actually sign a contract.

Wedding Photographer Tips

Look at the portfolio. While this may seem like the most obvious method of finding out what a photographer can do, you'd be amazed at how many couples glance at a couple of photos online and make their decision. Ask to see the photographer`s wedding portfolio and look through the whole thing.

Get references. One of the best ways to find out if a wedding photographer does satisfactory work is to check with those he's shot for. You will want to ask them not only if they were happy with the photos, but also how the photographer was to work with. Some photographers are amazing at their job, but their attitude can cause a lot of extra stress on a day when you really don't need any more!

Avoid packaged wedding photographers. Some event halls offer special wedding packages that include a photographer. However, you don't know how good this person is, so it's not a good idea to just sign up for the photographer-included package. Take the time to do your research and you will be far happier with how your photos turn out.

Ask about the equipment maintenance schedule. Does the photographer send their equipment in for servicing on a regular basis? The last thing you want is for a camera to break down in the middle of your wedding. Anyone who sends their equipment in regularly (once a year is the norm) should have properly working gear. You may also want to ask if they bring in extras, as well, just in case.

Interview the wedding photographer. This is an important part of the process of choosing a photographer for your wedding, since it will give you a good feel for what the photographer is like. It's usually a good idea to interview at least 3 or 4 different wedding photographers before making a decision. That will let you know just what your options are and allow you to make the best choice.

Hire early. The good wedding photographers are all booked months ahead of time, so be sure to set this up early on. You will also have the relief of getting this stressful task out of the way long before you are down to crunch time with the wedding plans. As soon as the wedding date is set, start looking for a good wedding photographer.

Ask about a contract. If something should go wrong, you will need a contract to back your claims up. A good photographer confident in his skills will be more than happy to sign a contract that specifies how many 8x10s, 5x7s, etc. will be included in the package. Those who know they could be in trouble will generally try to get out of signing a contract, so beware.

To find a really great photographer, you'll have to do a bit of research, but it is well worth it. After all, this is a once in a lifetime event . . . you want to be sure it's captured perfectly!

Choosing a Wedding Photographer

Many couples get so caught up with planning all the obvious details of their wedding such as the cake, the wedding decorations, and the gown and gifts for members of the wedding party, that they often overlook the importance of selecting the right wedding photographer. It�s important to remember that the photographer you choose will be responsible for capturing the moments and memories of what may be the most important day of your life! With this in mind, you'll want to take great care in selecting a wedding photographer considering there are no second chances.

As you might imagine, wedding photography is one of the most challenging types of professional photography. The wedding photographer has to make everyone look beautiful, shooting in a multitude of locations in all kinds of weather conditions--and accomplish all this in minimum amount of time. At the same time, your wedding photographer should have the personality to complement you on your most joyous day. Take your time and follow some of the simple suggestions discussed below, and you will most certainly be satisfied with the outcome.

Where Do You Begin?

Personal referrals or asking friends, relatives and co-workers for suggestions, is a great place to start. Typically, people who have had positive experiences with photographers are more than willing to share that information. In addition, you�ll already have some insight about the photographer�s personality before you actually meet. After compiling a preliminary list, visit each photographer�s web site and thoughtfully review his or her online portfolio. If a portfolio looks appealing you, chances are, that photographer might be a good fit. Next, call or email each photographer on your list. Through this initial contact, you can determine the photographer�s availability, the type of work they specialize in (candid or traditional) as well as an estimate of the cost and what you�ll receive for that fee.
Schedule appointments with the photographers who seem most appropriate and ask to view their portfolios in person and discuss more details. Ask each of them to show you a complete portfolio of a single wedding--this will give you a much clearer sense of what you can expect than a collection of choice shots from several different events. Pay attention to whether the photographer is adept at portraying individual expressions and personalities. Ideally, these meetings should include the bride and groom as well as the bride's parents since you will all be interacting with the photographer.

What Questions Should You Ask?

Be sure to write down all of your questions beforehand, and take thorough notes during the meetings. Although most professional photographers will provide you with a clear outline of their services and fees prior to your meeting, you will, in all likelihood, still have a large number of questions to ask. Remember, the more information you have, the more confident and relaxed you�ll feel on your special day. The following are some questions, courtesy of http://www.iqphoto.com, you may wish to consider asking:
�How will you show me pictures for selection (e.g., electronic, proofs, contact sheets, online gallery, etc.)?
�Will you help me choose the final pictures?
�How will you make it easy for friends and family to order reprints?
�What are the costs of the various levels of coverage?
�Are there different degrees of coverage?
�What is your photography style; photojournalistic, traditional, mixed, etc.?
�How much for the duplicate prints, albums, folios, enlargements, thank you cards, etc.?
�What�s your time frame for preparing the pictures for my selection?
�How about engagement session?
�How long do I have to make up my mind as to which pictures I want and how many?
�How long have you been in business?
�What kind of guarantee comes with my hiring you?
�What�s your philosophy for photographing weddings?
�Will you have an assistant?
�Do you have travel fees?
�How much is your overtime fee?
�What do you plan to do at my wedding to make my wedding photographs unique and personal to me?
�Do you have a backup?
�Will you be shooting my pictures personally?
�Will you use film or digital?
�What's your payment policy?
�Do you give any guarantees on your services and photographs?
�What is the possibility of the pictures fading?

How Much Will It Cost?

The following are some points, courtesy of http://www.elegala.com, that will help prepare you for what you might expect to pay for your wedding photography:

�Plan to allocate a significant portion of your wedding budget to ensure photographs are perfect. Expect to spend at least $1000 on a professional wedding photographer to document your event. Albums and prints are usually extra. Other extras that may increase your bottom line include additional hours, additional photographers, custom albums etc. etc. Add on too many extras � and your photography budget could quickly creep to $5000 and beyond!
�Cut the extras and purchase a basic wedding photography package from a skilled photographer. By paying for the photographer�s expertise only, you will ensure great images � and you�ll buy yourself some time to save up for the custom album and prints after the wedding.
�Get the proofs! To that end, try to find a photographer who will let you keep the proofs. Many photographers consider themselves to be photographers only - artists not in the business of selling photographs. After the big day, they�ll hand over your proofs and be on their way. They�re yours to keep � you can print them in any manner you please or save them for printing after you�ve saved up some cash.
�Enter the digital age with digital photography. It�s less costly than film, and with technological advances in equipment � digital images are no longer a sacrifice in quality. Many photographers have taken the digital plunge � which results in savings for you!
�Cut the timeline�the longer your event, the more it will cost to document it. Since photographers often charge based on the number of hours they will spend at your wedding, a shorter/smaller wedding celebration will yield big savings in your photography budget.

Making a Commitment

At this point, you should have a relatively clear idea of which photographer is best suited to capture your wedding day memories. Once you have made a decision, be prepared to leave a deposit to reserve the date. You may still wish to reassure yourself by asking about a few final details. For example, find out what the photographer's policy for wedding-date changes is and what the alternatives are if he or she is not available on the backup date. Also, ask about their policy for an unexpected cancellation. If you feel the photographer is right for you, then relax and make the commitment with the confidence that you�ve made a well-formed, intelligent decision in planning the most important day of your life.