It has often been said that photography is a form of memory. Apply this wisdom to your wedding day and it doesn't take much to realize that, “the greater the quality of the photographs, the greater the quality of the memories they elicit.” For this reason alone, contracting anyone other than a professional wedding photographer for your special day is taking a chance that your memories may quickly fade into the distance.

Sorting out which professional photographer can deliver the high quality
imagery you crave–to archive and protect your wedding memories–can be an overwhelming task. To insure your wedding day images stand the test of time, consider the following to make your
decision making process a little easier.

Style and Investment
The monetary investment for a wedding
photographer can vary dramatically. They charge based on style, experience, and reputation as well as what it takes to keep their doors open. Before you start the screening process you need to know what you can afford. This will rule out those you don’t need to contact and will subsequently make your selection process quicker. On a similar note, you should determine what style of photography you want. Are you traditional? Do you prefer images with a little edge, ones that feel more - photo journalistic? Or some combination of the two?

Keep in mind that highly skilled photographers– those certified by Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Wedding and Portrait Photographers (WPPI), Wisconsin Professional Photographers of America (WPPA)– generally
charge more than weekend amateurs who have not taken the time to go
through the rigors of PPA certification. Similarly, the difference in quality of
photographs produced by a PPA/WPPI/WPPA professional will be worth the extra money you invest. You will find that professional photographers are typically more flexible and more easily traverse the intricacies of photographing simulataniously in a traditional and a photo journalistic style–giving more value for the dollars you invest.

Trusting in the Return on Your Investment

In the end you need to trust the photographer you choose to document and archive your wedding. This trust comes from not only meeting with them and confirming the quality of their work, but also taking time to check the photographer’s references.
Check to see that he/she really is a PPA/WPPI/WPPA member; that it’s listed on her promotional literature. Don’t be afraid to ask them how many weddings they have under their belt. (You don’t want to be the ‘first’ wedding, do you?) Inquire if your photographer belongs to the local Chamber of Commerce or other professional service groups. Ask the friend who recommended this vendor to share the images from her wedding day or special event. After all, no two people share the same notion of what quality means when it comes to photographs! And you want to be sure of what you’ll be getting.

Flexibility and Sustainability
You know how much time and effort you’ve put into your wedding, so you should be sure your photographer has what it takes to perform at the highest level from beginning-to-end on your special day. You should ask them: Do they have what it takes to capture all the details and nuances of your wedding ceremony and reception? Will there be more than one photographer on site or do they work alone? If you have contracted your photographer for six to eight hours of coverage in order to capture all the special moments of your day, find out if she can deliver quality images from the hair salon to the garter toss. Ask to see photographs from more than one wedding which can demonstrate his stamina of performance. How flexible is your photographer? If rain interferes with that outdoor photo session you were dreaming
of, what creative alternatives can your photographer suggest to make your dreams still come true?

Sign on the Dotted Line
When it comes to your investment in a photographer be sure that your return is worth the time and money you’re spending....And get everything in writing. As a guarantee for both parties a professional photographer will ask you to provide a deposit and sign a contract. This will insure that you have a list of everything you’ll receive from the photographer based on your preliminary conversations. The contract should list the number of hours the photographer will be in your service, when and what you will receive when the wedding is over, as well as any taxes and itemized add ons
such as travel, food or accommodation fees.

Article by Christine Garceau

Professional Photographers of America (PPA):  www.ppa.com, Wedding & Portrait Photographers (WPPI):  www.wppionline.com, Wisconsin Professional Photographers of America (WPPA)  www.wppa-online.com