9 Great tips to hire a good wedding photographer with Wedding Photography Albany NY             
        
1. Accessibility by Wedding Photography Albany NY

Make a list of photographers from which to choose, view their websites or sample work to determine which type of photographer will meet your budget as well as your individual needs. When researching different types of photographers, take into consideration the theme and style of your wedding day compared to the photographers individual strengths; do they specialize in outdoor/action vs. indoor/portrait photography.

2. Keep a large search criteria by Wedding Photography Albany NY

Start your search by asking for recommendations from friends and family who have held weddings prior to your event. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to know what kind of photographer you will truly be getting! Good wedding photographers have a reputation of success, and therefore tend to be well known and praised.

Ask for recommendations from your wedding planner, venue manager, caterer, baker, florist or limousine driver. Using other vendor opinions is helpful because they know a larger array of photographers in the industry.

And last, but not least, use the Web! Finding wedding sites that specialize in all your wedding needs will help you localize an area that you want to stay in and provide a large selection of photographers to choose from!!

3. Style & Technique by Wedding Photography Albany NY

Pay attention to the photographer's ability to capture the emotion and true feelings of the day.
 
You should first think about the style and tone that you want your photographs to express about your special day. There are a variety of styles that photographers can offer, two of the most popular are Traditional -vs.- Photojournalistic: Traditional wedding portraits consist of various combinations of family, friends and bridal parties, more commonly referred to as “Standard and ordinary”. These shots include taking turns standing with the bride and groom, group shots that help document people attending the days events, presenting with the bride and groom and an overabundance of photos of the bride and groom alone in different poses. The downside to this style of photography is that it portrays little true emotion. Think back to the days of High School portraits, the long sessions of “tilt here, smile there”, these photographs express little true emotion and more of a staged emotion.

Photojournalistic is quite different as it is capturing the day’s events and emotions, as they unfold. Wedding photojournalists know how to wait for the moments that are truly significant and how to compose images and present them in a way that tells a story, enabling you to relive your special and emotional day for years to come. A combination of these two styles is needed when it comes to choosing your wedding photographer. You will need direction and guidance to help you enjoy your special day, with little interruption.

There is also a 3rd style of photography I like to call Controlled Candid’s. These are quite unique, and truly allow the Bride to enjoy the experience of being posed. It combines all that you have previously read, with personality: e.g. It’s your wedding day, your hair and makeup is done to perfection, your dress is as beautiful as the day you picked it out. The photographer places you in front of your friends and family to capture you in all your beauty. Then, something unexpected happens. He asks you to extend your arms straight out and spin in a circle. Your first thought is, “what is wrong with this photographer, has he/she truly lost their minds?” Then a sense of possible embarrassment or silliness overcomes you, and when you don’t realize, a truly un-staged, natural smile appears! Using their Photojournalistic style, the photographer captures that moment and is able to present you with an emotion-filled portrait, as well as breaking the ice,
allowing you to fully enjoy your picture taking experience.

4. Personality by Wedding Photography Albany NY

In my opinion, this is one of the most important aspects of choosing a wedding photographer. There are some companies that outsource their photographers, so be sure to meet the specific photographer you will be working with! Your photographer will be there from the beginning of the day, posing you, directing you and standing closer to you than anyone else on your wedding day! Your relationship is vital with he or she, if you’re not comfortable no matter how talented the photographer is, it will show on your expressions in the photos!
 
5. Professionalism by Wedding Photography Albany NY

This stems from your first meeting, to the day you pick up you album. Come away from the interview knowing the quality of the photographer, his overall style, and if she will adjust her style to your individual taste. First, examine the basics of the pictures-such as color, clarity, exposure, graininess and composition. Then examine how the photographer portrays him/herself…do they dress appropriately, good manners and hygiene? Are they obtrusive or courteous when speaking to you, as they will your guests? All of these factors will help determine how comfortable you around someone that will be with you for the entire event!

6. What do you get for your money?

All photographers will offer a variety of packages to include certain products of your wedding photos. These vary from one photographer to the next. Although some packages may suit your needs, ask about “a la carte” options. This allows you to choose exactly what it is you want and don’t want! Then you are able to open possibility to different price ranges and most pre-chosen package prices are set in stone. Be sure to sign a contract!! Although you may feel this binds you too permanently to the photographer, it will be a solidified agreement as to what actual products and services you chose and expect to receive as well as hold the date of your wedding! Good photographers book up their availability quickly so make sure you have who you want on the day you need!!

7. Ownership of your images

OK, this is where debate from many other photographers will come. You just paid a significant amount of money for pictures, photography being one of the most expensive services on your wedding day, then come to find out that those pictures are not really yours? That your photos are now “Pieces of Art” created by the photographer; hence he/she retains full ownership of the negatives/full resolution files. (Unless you’d like to buy them for additional costs). Although ordering individual prints from a professional photographer and printer will give you a higher quality print, not all of your personal photographs should be the property of someone else! Ask to include in your package full rights to your negatives or full resolution data files so that you have full ownership of your images and the photographer will also have them to help in any future ordering needs!

8. Equipment

Although you may not be a professional photographer yourself, you should know what type of camera and equipment your photographer would be using during your event. Many photographers use digital equipment in these days of modern technology, but there are some that can offer film as well or in placement of! Both produce high quality images, but some say film produces better pictures when enlarged. Others contend that digital pictures are easier to manipulate and produce.

You should know the type of equipment being used, most especially with digital cameras. Make sure it takes images of at least 8 mega pixels or larger. If film is the photographer's preference, make sure they use professional grade film instead of consumer quality film.

9. Assistant

Every photographer should bring along an assistant to help him during your wedding. Assistants are an asset to both you and the photographer. For example, if the photographer is busy with specified activities that need to be documented, the assistant is free to shoot other candid activity and people to ensure the true capture of what the day brings! It is also a necessity to the photographer in case of equipment failure, issues with finding people for posed photographs. Every good photographer has an equally great assistant! Be sure that is in your contract as well!