The decision of choosing a photographer for your special day can be a difficult one.  There are several factors to consider -- quality, style, package, price -- to name just a few.

   When shopping around, there are a few things to keep in mind.  While telephone shopping may be able to narrow your search somewhat, the engaged couple really needs to meet the photographer and look at their work.  Ask to see sample albums from the person who will actually be shooting your wedding - some studios have more than one photographer.  Also, make sure you are looking at albums that contain a full body of work from a single wedding.  It's not too difficult to shoot several hundred photographs and pick out twenty or so that look good enough to put in an album, or combine nice photographs from several different weddings to make up one album.  You want to make sure you're happy with the style of photographs from beginning to end.

   One more thing about choosing your photographer - this is a person who will be spending a great deal of time with you on a very important day of your life.  Make sure your personalities don't clash, and that they are willing to work with you and your family to help keep this day full of good memories.  If they seem too pushy or overbearing, or if they "rub you the wrong way" during your initial meeting, this may be a caution sign.

   Let's talk about packages -- there will seem to be an infinite number to choose from.  Most packages will require you to select a specific number of your favorite prints from a "proof album" of all your photographs, and these will go into your finished album(s).  Some packages may have limited time coverage, or a limit on the number of photographs taken the day of the wedding.  You may need to decide how long you want the photographer to stay at the church and reception, about how many photographs and what size prints you desire in your album, and if multiple albums are needed for parents, grandparents, etc.  Most photographers will have reprints available after the delivery of your album(s) for other family members and friends to order.  Since what is included in packages can vary greatly, you need to consider the value of what you actually get while comparing various photographers’ packages.

   A few words to think about while shopping "price".  While cost needs to be a consideration, remember that a "bargain" photographer may be just that - you don't want to wait until your photographs are delivered to discover why they were such a bargain.  It's the photographer's job to capture your special day for you in a way you can share with your children and grandchildren for many years to come!  Photographs shouldn't be an area to cut corners while budgeting for your wedding - they capture your memories.  Of all the wedding details that do get budgeted for - the dress, reception hall, cake, decorations, rings, caterer, invitations, photographs, entertainment - think about what you have to actually show for your investment the month after you're married.  While a spectacular party is great fun, and your dress was absolutely gorgeous -- your rings, and the photographs, will be what keeps those memories close to your heart.  Budget carefully so that those photographs won't be a disappointment.