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How to Hire a Professional Wedding Photographer and Videographer

The Photographer: Your wedding photographer is, in a sense, a biographer, capturing a very important part of your life for you and your family to enjoy for years to come. Therefore, choose him or her carefully. Some couples attempt to reduce expenses by not hiring a professional photographer. They later realize that was a mistake when they have only a few snapshots as mementos of the big day.

Don't agree to let a family member or friend photograph the wedding unless you are sure that the person has a good camera and knows how to use it. The camera should be equipped with interchangeable lens that can be used in low light and it should take good pictures from a distance. A person who takes good close-up outdoor photos cannot necessarily take good in-door photos from a distance, especially with a standard 35mm flash camera. (Most professional photographers use medium format cameras, not 35 mm.)

Best Practices for Hiring a Professional Wedding Photographer

Beware of any photographer who offers a deal that is too good to be true; it probably is. First, ask to see their portfolio and ask for references, and then check them. Know what you are paying for before you sign a contract.

Choose a photographer whose personality you like. He/she will be "in your face" for several hours, so you must feel comfortable working together.

It takes at least five hours to cover the important pictures at most weddings, particularly if the ceremony and reception will be held in different locations and travel time is involved. If you purchase a three or four hour package, then ask the photographer to stay longer, you may have to pay overtime at a rate of $100 or more per half-hour.

Ask how long the photographer keeps the negatives, should you or someone else want additional copies in the future. Most photographers keep the negatives for one year. Some photographers allow you to purchase all of the proofs, thus providing you with a complete story of the day. Other photographers allow you to purchase the negatives and the proofs. This can save you money, but you may not get the same quality of pictures if you take the negatives to a store to be developed, since photographers use the services of a professional lab.

The actual wedding photos of the bride and groom and the combined wedding party may be taken either before the wedding or afterwards. Today, most couples prefer to do it about 2 1/2 hours before the ceremony, so that the bride and groom can proceed to the reception immediately after the ceremony. The photo session will last about 2 hours, ending about a half hour before the ceremony begins. If the groom doesn't want to see the bride in her gown until the last minute, schedule a few minutes for him to see the bride alone before the pictures begin.

Many couples find that the photo shoot time before the ceremony helps to calm the nerves of the wedding party members. Everyone will look fresher than they will after having worn gowns and tuxes for several hours. If you are sure that you do not want to have pictures of the two of you taken together before the ceremony, be certain to let the photographer know, and then arrange to serve something, such as a beverage and light hors d' oeuvres, to your guests while they wait for you to arrive at the reception. Not all photographers will do a split photo session, so be sure to ask.

Pictures should end a half hour before the ceremony begins so that the bride and groom are out of the site of arriving guests and can have a few minutes to catch their breath. Do not let the photographer insist on taking pictures right up to the moment of the ceremony. If you do, you will feel rushed and pressured. Remember, the photographer is your employee and should respect your wishes.

If you are interested in having mostly candid or black and white photos, be sure to inform the photographer when you first interview them. If they don't like to do these types of pictures, find someone else.

Tips On Hiring a Professional Wedding Videographer in New York and New Jersey

The Videographer: It is easier, and usually less disastrous, to engage an amateur videographer than photographer. One benefit of engaging a professional is that they may send more than one camera, so that the ceremony is covered from more than one angle.

Your wedding videographer should attend the rehearsal, if possible, and the minister or church wedding coordinator should note any restrictions that the facility might have about the use of a video camera during the ceremony. The camera should be placed securely on a tripod; therefore, enough room will need to be available for the camera, especially in the area near where the bride and groom will exchange vows or the wedding party will walk or stand. If only one camera is used, it should be positioned so that it catches the vows and close-ups of the bride and groom during the ceremony.

The videographer will probably want to photograph the invitation and possibly the program for inclusion in the finished video. The videographer will probably not arrive as early as the photographer, but he or she may stay longer and photograph more of the reception.

Ask about previewing the video before it is completely finished so that you can make any desired changes. If you purchased an economy package, you may not be able to view the video or make editing decisions. If you can view the video, the preview will probably be scheduled for a couple of weeks after the wedding. Video professionals that do weddings in places like New York, New Jersey and Conneticut may charge premium rates. Videography costs vary widely depending on the amount of editing that you choose to do, so be prepared.

Copyright ©1999, Glenna Tooman, all rights reserved
Memory Makers Event Planning LLC
www.memorable-events.com

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