As with all of your vendors, interview at least 3 photographers to get an idea of the styles and what is available in your market. Typically there are two different styles of photography: Traditional where the photographer is highly involved with the bride and groom in posing pictures. Or Photojournalistic, where the photographer documents the events but does not pose or interfere with the activities of the day. Many photographers offer a combination of both, but as you will find out some are stronger at Traditional Style where others are better at Photojournalistic. It is up to you to determine which you want.

Do your homework. Ask how long the photographer(s) have been in business. Do they have a business license? Are they insured? What is their training? Are they digital or film? Do they offer prints through the internet? How many cameras will they bring or assistant photographers? Do they work with assistants who pose, do hair or makeup, and if so, is their fee included in your package? Are you expected to provide parking? Transportation? Find out how many hours prior to the ceremony your photographer will arrive.

Typically, studios offer several options for shooting weddings, for one price, a photo package typically includes the number of various-sized prints in different styles you plan to order and the number of hours that the photographer will be at your wedding. Packages can also include a proof book, an engagement portrait, a wedding album and parents’ albums. Always get in writing what is included in the packages and how much additional prints or options will cost.

Ask how long your negatives or files will be stored?. A common industry standard is two to five years. Do you have the option to purchase your negatives or files? If you don’t purchase the originals, will they eventually be discarded?

Ask to see a real wedding album, and a selection of proofs from a recent wedding. In the event of an illness or other unforeseen problem, who will replace your photographer if he or she must cancel?

Do you feel that you can work with this person? This can be the most important consideration of hiring your photographer. Nothing is worse on the wedding day than a clash of personalities with your photographer.

Photographers and their contracts. At it’s basic level a contract should state: what, when, where, who and how much. Other clauses do pop into a lot of contracts. We also suggest that you have attached to the contract things that aren’t necessarily included in the main description. Like reprint costs or other thing you may order after the wedding, as to lock in your prices on these products.
One of the more interesting things to watch out for in contracts with photographers are clauses that limit the behavior or abilities of your guests and other vendors. Clauses that state something like: Photographer is the only person allowed to take still photos at the event. Client will instruct guests to leave their cameras at home. If guests bring cameras photographer will tell them to quit and will not take further pictures till they do cease. Or clauses that interfere with other vendors you have hired: Photographer has exclusive rights to all posed pictures and will not allow any videogrrapher to film the proceedings or Client will instruct videographer that they will follow the directions of the photographer.

Our suggestion is to consider carefully before signing a contract with such clauses in them. This is your day and your money and a party for friends and family. A photographer may object that such activities by other vendors and guests are distracting to the subjects being photographed. Don’t let them fool you such activities are only a distraction if the photographer allows them to be. Our staff at Plymouth Weddings have been involved in thousands of weddings and have discovered that only those who let it bother them are bothered by other cameras at weddings.

And most of all your videographer and friends/family are a guarantee that nothing will ultimately be lost. No professional likes admitting it but mistakes and malfunctions do happen. If it does come to the worst scenario by refusing to accept these clauses in your contract Uncle Joe or the professional videographer will still have documentation of the special event and various activities..

Be good to yourself, be good to your family and friends, just say no to such limiting clauses in your photography contract!