Planning a wedding can be a very daunting task. What with time constraints and budget concerns, some couples choose to leave some of the more important aspects out of their wedding completely. Photography should not be one of them. In this article, I will address some basic topics on wedding photography that every couple should know when planning their special day.

How far in advance should I book a photographer for my wedding?

- Many photographers recommend booking a photographer as soon as you get engaged, or at least until you know the wedding date. It is suggested that the engaged couple book 8-12 months in advance because many studios book wedding dates quickly. Weddings are more prominent from May to October when the weather is most favorable. If you choose to hold your wedding within this period, the photographer you choose will likely require a non-refundable deposit or retainer fee to hold your wedding date. This ensures that you will have this studio or photographer on your desired date, as well as securing a job for your photographer. The sooner you book your photographer, the more likely you are to be able to work with your first choice.

What are the advantages of hiring a professional?

- The main advantage to hiring a professional wedding photographer is experience. Most wedding photographers have experience dealing with many different individuals and difficult personalities. They have faced unfavorable weather conditions, and encountered technical problems. Since they specialize in photography, they are well equipped to handle various wedding sizes or photo demands. Unlike a friend or relative of the couple, a professional photographer's main goal is capturing candid moments on film. Knowing they are depended on delivering superior photos that will be cherished for years to come, they are less apt to be carried away by aspects of the ceremony. With an event that allows no second chances, hiring a professional is a good investment that will help keep your memories of your special day around for years.

How do I choose a photographer for my wedding?

- First, get some recommendations from people you know about different photographers they have used. Friends and relatives who have had good experiences with the photographers or studios they have used should be more than eager to share this information with you. After reviewing websites and online portfolios, contact each studio or photographer that you are interested. Meet at their studio and look at samples of their work in person, preferably with each party of the engaged couple. Ask to see pictures from different weddings, and if possible a full wedding. Doing so allows for complete evaluation of photography styles and formats, or even artistic impressions that each photographer can offer you. Ask yourself if they share your artistic vision while looking through their portfolio. Do you agree with the styles they use? Is the quality to your liking? Also, take note of how well you communicate and interact with each photographer. Besides friends and family, your photographer is the one person you will be interacting with the most. Feeling comfortable enough to communicate with them during your wedding will lessen the stress of an already hectic day. Once you have chosen a photographer whose work you are pleased with, and whose personality is compatible with your own, you can then discuss price ranges.

What kind of photo styles do photographers usually use at weddings?

- Photographers use two main styles at weddings. The first one is traditional or portrait style, the formal poses of the bridal party, family, and friends of the couple. There are little to no candid photographs with this style. The other technique that is used is photojournalistic style. This is a more contemporary and modern. It is about snapping up photos of spontaneous moments, and sincere emotion. It is taken with very little direction from the photographer. There are two other styles that are not as commonly used as Traditional and photojournalistic, and they are illustrative and creative photography. Illustrative photography is usually set up like a commercial photo shoot. The types of photos captured in this style are similar to those seen in magazines and even billboards. With creative photography, photographers have the freedom, using different lighting and different angles, to create their own artistic interpretation of your wedding day.

After I have chosen a photographer, what other questions should I ask him or her?

- Once you have made a commitment to a photographer of your liking, there are still more questions you need to ask. With larger studios especially, you should ask whether you will be working directly with the photographer you first talked to. Ask to meet with the person who will actually be taking photos of your wedding. You may also want to ask how long your photographer has been in business, or how many weddings of your size they have worked with in the past, and if they have liability insurance. You might like to ask him or her how long it will take to get the proofs back to you or their rate for printing extra photos and albums. You should definitely inquire about their back up plan and arrangements for any unforeseen changes. As well as any refund or cancellation policies they may have.