Top 5 Questions to ask when interviewing a Wedding Photographer.

Choosing a wedding photographer for your wedding day can be very difficult because you want to get the best wedding photo package for your money that you can. Finding the right wedding photographer may prove to be a little tricky than one would initially anticipate. While there are more than a handful competent photographers in your area, there is no doubt that there are only a few could lay claim on competent wedding coverage. The photographer is the person who will literally be with you more than some family members and close friends on your wedding day. Let's discuss what you should ask your Wedding Photographer.

Experience shooting weddings
Just the fact that a person has a camera, and has taken millions of pictures on various vacations should not classify anyone as a wedding photographer. This form of photography is a specialized service and should be handled by someone with experience. Find out how long they've been photographing weddings, if they are experienced and have been in business for a while they should have more than one wedding album as a sample to look at. Insist you meet at their studio or home office, if you have a problem you have a way of finding them. Avoid meeting at a local coffee shop or a diner, they may just disappear with your deposit.

Who will be my photographer?
Will you be meeting with the actual person who will be shooting the wedding, or are you sitting with a sales person. A lot of the larger studios farm their work out to others, be aware of this. It's important to meet with the actual person shooting the wedding and it's important to see their sample work and not general studio samples. Not every photographer working for that studio will have the same style, or the same personality. It's important to feel comfortable with your photographer; you'll be spending roughly 10 hours with this person so make sure you can tolerate him or her. It will be a long day.

Equipment
There are several cameras on the market today some for professional use and some are consumer cameras. A majority of professionals today have gone over to digital photography. The quality of digital has met the standards of what you would get with film. Ask your photographer if they will be using film or shooting with digital. Find out the type of camera they will be using and do some research on the camera, especially if shooting in digital, if your photographer supplies all of your images on CD you want to make sure you get the best quality image for re-printing. Don't forget to ask about back up equipment, will they have any?

The Product
Like anything we buy today, we all look for quality. Besides the actual photography as a product, the wedding album, the printing, the thank you cards etc are all products that your photography studio should offer. Examine a finished album; make sure this will stand the test of time. Good references to this are the studio samples. These books are viewed hundreds of times a year. How are they holding up? If they look to be in good shape then chances are it's a good product. Your album will probably never get the viewing audience that a sample album from a photography studio will get.

Packages and hidden charges
Once you establish the fact that the work is good, the products are of good quality, the equipment is acceptable and you are very comfortable with the photographer...now its time for cost. Most studios have pre designed packages to choose from. These are just guidelines and most studios will customize what your needs are. First determine what your budget is and then determine what you need in your package for example album, parent albums, prints, engagement session etc. Get it in writing that whatever you agree on will be the final cost and no other fees will be charged. You may go into contract and after everything is said and done you have a bill for $500 for retouching or color conversions. All retouching, color tinting; B&W conversions should be all included in your final price. Don't forget to ask how many hours of photography you get. A good studio will usually start 2 hours before the ceremony right up until the cake cutting. Overtime can get costly. The only thing you should have a bill for is if you order above your contract.