Talented wedding photographs are worth their weight in gold. Take comfort in that when you begin shopping for a professional-class photographer and realize they do not come cheap. Photography may be one of your biggest wedding expenses, but unlike many of the other things you’re buying, it has longevity. The photos you buy should capture for a lifetime all the beauty and spirit you worked so hard to create for your wedding.

Ask any bride, and she’ll tell you that photography is the last thing you want to skimp on for your big day. It’s important to find a photographer with a stunning portfolio and who specializes in weddings. There are a couple reasons for the latter. One, wedding photographers have to be more than fine artists. They have lots of logistics to manage. For example, they should know the traditions and order of events and be familiar with who’s who in the wedding party, not to mention the relationships between them (good or bad). Two, with experience comes knowledge. That means quality-wedding photographers know which candid shots are important and how to capture them. They also know which ceremony and reception locations allow flash photography and where.

The best photographers fill their calendars up to a year in advance, so you’ll need to start hunting for one early in the game. Begin by asking people you trust for recommendations, shopping the magazine ads, and perusing Web sites (most photographers have Web sites with work samples and general information). Before you pound the pavement, do some phone interviewing. You’ll obviously want to ask if the photographer is available on your wedding date. And you’ll want to personally speak to the photographer. That’s because the photographer’s personality is a major consideration. If the photographer makes you feel uneasy, move on—even if that photographer has a great portfolio. It may have taken him or her decades to build that portfolio, and if you don’t quite click with your photographer, your face will express the tension in your photos. Finally, set up on-site interviews with two or three of your favorite photographers.

As you do face-to-face interviewing, you’ll want to take note of each photographer’s business operations. Do things appear to run smoothly? Carefully look at the photographs on the walls and peruse the portfolios. If you see a photograph you particularly like, ask the photographer if and how it was touched up. Find out if they have a "before" picture for you to compare. Ask if they have a series of pictures from a single wedding, to see how they "tell" the story through images. Has the photographer ever shot at your wedding/reception sites? Does he or she have insights about working there? If you don’t see a certain style you want, tell the photographer what you have in mind (bringing a sample picture with you is helpful). The photographer may have separate work samples in that style to show you.

Ask the photographer if he or she is a member in any professional photography organizations. Many of these organizations hold their members to strict guidelines for management and require members to complete continuing-education courses. Also, most professional organizations have Web sites that you can research as part of your selection process.

You’ll want to be aware of each photographer’s philosophy. Does the photographer favor journalistic shots or formals? Does he or she recommend using sepia tones, color, or black-and-white? Is it possible to buy a combination of these and to what degree?
You should expect photographers to provide detailed information. Most have pre-printed brochures, price sheets, and contracts. These should include information about deposits, cancellations, refunds, and turnaround time. They should detail policies about purchasing your prints, proofs, reprints, and negatives (most won’t sell the negatives). Find out if you’ll be paying for time, photographs, or a combination.

How long will the photographer stay at your reception? What happens if the photographer falls ill on your wedding day? Be sure it’s clear in the information who will be manning the camera. Some photographers send assistants and apprentices in their place. Many are at least aided by assistants and apprentices. Find out if the photographer has a checklist of candids (e.g., cake-cutting, first dance, etc.), so that you can see the types of things that are typically photographed and then talk about your individual style and preferences

Again, quality photography can be costly. You don’t want to be surprised by your final bill, so nail down prices before you sign anything. Most photographers offer the option of buying album packages (e.g., a big album for you, and a smaller album for your parents and, possibly, your wedding attendants.) Remember that albums may only include twenty or thirty poses. That said, you’ll likely want to buy additional photos a la carte once the proofs arrive. Plan for that in your budget. Photographers generally take hundreds of shots, and it can be tough to choose between them all. Remember, too, you’re not only going to receive proofs of yourself and your hubby; you’ll also be sifting through proofs of your wedding party, friends, and family. Some photographers offer quantity discounts. Ask about this when you’re interviewing.

The bridal portrait is usually taken six to eight weeks before the wedding, requires an hour or two, and includes ten or fifteen poses.

Many couples plan for more than one photography session because they want an engagement photo and/or a bridal portrait. Schedule all of your sessions upfront. You don’t have to nail down a time as much as a general date, especially when you’re planning a year in advance. Make sure that you and your photographer have identical copies of the schedule. Incidentally, bridal portraits don’t necessarily include only the bride anymore. They can include the groom, too, unless you really don’t want your groom to see you in your full regalia before the wedding. The bridal portrait is usually taken six to eight weeks before the wedding, requires an hour or two, and includes ten or fifteen poses. The idea is to look like you will on your wedding day, accoutrements and all. So, you’ll want to be very careful about where you dress and pose, as it’s expensive to clean a wedding dress, especially if you have to do it in a mad rush.

Most couples no longer abide the old tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony. That’s because taking all the formal photographs between the ceremony and reception leaves guests abandoned for too long. If you still want a special "first sight" moment, arrange to have a few minutes with your groom before the formal photographs are taken. Some couples ask their photographer to be on hand for their first glimpse of each other on their wedding day, and then they take a few minutes to be completely alone. Afterward, formal shots are taken with the wedding party. At the reception, the photographer should circulate and take lots of candids. Some couples designate a friend or family member to help the photographer recognize guests that they particularly want photographed.

One way to help the photographer get lots of shots of your guests with you and your husband is to circulate as everyone’s eating. This also helps you get at least a little time with each of your guests.

One way to help the photographer get lots of shots of your guests with you and your husband is to circulate as everyone’s eating.

When all is said and done, you’re going to have a lot of proofs to view. Many photographers who work digitally now offer proofs via password-protected Web sites. Remember that the proofs are untouched, so you may see spots or blemishes that won’t appear on the final prints. Wedding photographers generally have a logical numbering system to help you order various quantities of various prints for yourself and others. It’s nice to give your parents, grandparents, and wedding party the opportunity to order prints or albums, but you want to be sure ahead of time that everyone’s clear on who’s footing the bill for what

Basic Interview Questions:

• How long have you been photographing weddings?
• Will you be the person taking the pictures?
• Am I buying time, photographs, or a combination?
• What package plans do you offer?
• What album styles do you offer?
• How soon will I get my proofs and prints?
• How much are reprints?
• Can I buy my proofs?
• Do you require a deposit and how much?
• When is the full balance due?
• How many photographs will be taken?
• What sizes of prints are available?
• Are special mountings an additional expense?
• Is a travel cost included?
• Will I receive my digital negatives?
• What extra services do you offer?