Hiring a Wedding Photographer

The photographer you will entrust with preserving your wedding-day memories should be one of the first people you hire: Start searching at least six months ahead of time. Solicit referrals from friends and wedding professionals, and try to interview at least three photographers. With large studios, insist on meeting the person who will actually be taking the pictures at your wedding. If you are expecting three hundred guests or more, consider hiring two photographers. For an average-size wedding, you should expect the photographer to work with an assistant, who can gather guests together and reload film.

Every photographer has an individual style, and you will need to find a like-minded person who is willing to listen to your ideas. Look for someone who has documented the kind of event you are planning - be it an urban gala or a small at-home gathering. During the interview, ask to see an entire wedding album, not just selected shots. In the past, wedding pictures were mostly formal portraits, but today many photographers take a photojournalistic approach instead, telling the story of the occasion. Many couples prefer a balance between the two styles. Whatever your preference, discuss your expectations with the photographer. Also talk about the percentage of images you want in color and in black-and-white. Even if you prefer the timelessness and sophistication of black-and-white photography, it's nice to have some color pictures - that way; you'll remember just what color your flowers were.

Generally, the photography fee is based on the number of hours of coverage, the number of pictures taken (normally between 250 and 300), and the number of proofs you will be shown (for an average-size wedding, you should expect to see around 250). Be sure to ask how quickly you will receive the proofs (it usually takes about four weeks - or more during the busiest months) and the finished album after you have ordered it (typically about three to five months). You album price should guarantee a certain number of pages, not prints, so the price is the same whether a page has one 8-by-10 image or several smaller ones.

When you have chosen a photographer, review the contract closely. It should state when he will arrive, how long he will spend covering the event, what he will wear, the fee, and what is included in it; you also need to discuss the deposit and payment schedule. If possible, arrange a site tour before the wedding to select potential locations; visit sites close to the hour when your wedding will be held so the photographer can get an idea of the available light. He should also note any special equipment he may need to bring.

Before the wedding day, give your photographer a detailed list of the moments that you want him to be sure to capture on film. Also give the photographer the same schedule of events that you give your caterer and your music provider. Assign someone from the bride's family and someone from the groom's family to point out important guests on the wedding day. The more details you provide for your photographer ahead of time, the more likely you will be pleased with the range and variety of your wedding photographs.

Digital VS. Film Photography
Most wedding photographers shoot 35-millimeter film, but an increasing number are using digital photography which offers many advantages. A photographer can edit photos as they are shot; those that don't meet expectations can be shot again. Afterward, it's easy to alter the photographs. For instance, the images can be changed from color to black-and-white or sepia. Because there is no processing involved with digital photography, you can see your photos online or in a studio soon after the wedding. And they can be printed or archived on compact disc, which makes the images hold up longer.

Film cameras perform better than digital equipment around water and with fluctuating temperatures. Moreover, if you have only seen albums done with film, it's possible that the sharpness of photos taken digitally will not please you as much - even though the quality of digital photography has improved substantially.

If you are interested in digital wedding photography, consider using a professional photographer who offers it as part of a package. And be sure to find out what will happen to the original photo files after the wedding.

Preserving Photographs
Prints do fade over time, but you can take steps to slow the process. Some experts suggest that you have at least some black-and-white film shot (it is often developed on archival paper) and that you record your most cherished shots on either a photo CD or CD-ROM; it is believed that these images can last up to two hundred years. If your wedding photographer does not offer this service, you can have a local photo shop make a CD for you, or even do it yourself if you have the right computer setup.

There are many ways to arrange and display your photographs, but it is important that whatever format you choose also protects them. Most people opt for a traditional wedding album, whether it's a simple one filled with Mylar sleeves or an album custom-bound with photos professionally mounted on mat boards. There are also linen storage boxes, accordion-fold books, and decorative file boxes that have a treasure-chest quality. These allow the viewer to peruse the shots with no prescribed beginning, middle, or end. Also, photographs last longest when stored in total darkness. Make sure the material you choose, whether glues, papers, or plastics, are archival quality, meaning they will not react or decompose over time, damaging your pictures.

Keep your pictures in a dark, dry place in the least trafficked part of the house. Do not store photos in attics, basements, or cedar chests; humidity, changes in temperature, dirt, and fumes will all have an adverse effect.

If possible, acquire the negatives - your photographer may charge an extra fee for ownership (discuss this ahead of time), but it's worth it; the length of time photographers retain negatives varies. Experts suggest storing negatives in uncoated polyester or polypropylene sleeves inside paper envelopes and keeping them in a cool room.