It is a must the you get a professional photographer for your wedding day.  Wedding pictures will last a lifetime, keeping memories of this very special day.  It will live longer than the flowers and the catered food, therefore, you would only want a wedding photographer who understands what you want and can be relied upon to capture every minute of this special day.

Hire a professional, look for the following:

1. A valid and legal sales tax license.

2. Ask latest proof of business insurance.

3. Specialised and well kept professional equipment (includes a medium format camera aside from a professional 35mm camera).

4. Membership in any professional association.

5. A permanent studio.

Things to consider:

Level of experience.  Check their background and ask for names of people that they have photographed.  Call them and ask if they were satisfied with the photographer’s work.

Personality.  Are their ideas the same as yours?  Can you communicate with them easily? Meaning they understand what you want or what is your idea regarding the style of photography that you want to be achieved.

Style of photography.  Do the images that are presented appeal to you?  Do you like their style?

References.  Ask for references and meet with them personally so you can take a look at their wedding photographs as well as ask them if they were happy with the outcome of with the photographer’s work.  A person who is hesitant to give references is definitely not the photographer that you should hire.

Packages.  Ask about each package that they present to you.  If you are not comfortable with the packages, can they make one to satisfy your needs? 

Accomplished work.  Ask how long will it take for them to finish your album, your bridal portrait and all the photos taken during the wedding.

Price.  Can you afford their services?  If not, is he worth the price difference as compared to others you’ve met?  Take the time to ask all that you need to know and make sure you understand all services and photos included in the cost.

Payments and deposits.  Should you cancel, can they give a refund?  If they, in any circumstance, do not show up, what happens?  Do they have a partner to take their place just in case?  Make sure you clear all of this to them as well as discuss with them all your concerns.  Their answer should be able to convince you that they can be trusted.  

Contract.  Check and read it carefully before signing.  If there is anything that you don’t understand, ask them or ask that they leave you the contract overnight so you can study it.  Be certain that everything you both had agreed on is in the contract.

When looking at the photographer’s work, look for the following:

1. Each sample album must consist of only one wedding.  Do they have a lot of sample albums?

2. Do they have a recent actual wedding that you could look at? Look through their most recent wedding album.

3. Study each album well and see if the album is telling the story of the wedding and not just filling the album up with similar photos.

4. Are the portraits clear and did the photographer capture the subject’s mood?

5. Are all the photos done artistically?  Is there a play of light and shadow?

6. Are candid shots taken?  Are they clear and well composed?

Remember that photos will remind you of your wedding and will bring you happy memories for may years, so they must be right. If you need a wedding photographer in Surrey, visit the Surrey Weddings directory to save you time and money.

Roger Mayne
Surrey Weddings

For more wedding tips and advice, as well as a full directory of wedding suppliers in Surrey, visit Surrey Weddings