Choosing a Wedding Photographer Part 1

I am often amazed at how people plan their wedding.  Most give great detail to the dress, the flowers and the setting.  Often the photographer is the last consideration.  I suspect this has happened as many wedding photographers simply show up, take some shots, leave, provide proofs or a disc and move on.  Many so called photographers will shoot a wedding for virtually nothing.  So how should you choose a photographer?  What should you look for when looking at photographers.  

First let me explain, there is a wide range of services offered in "wedding photography"  and you generally get what you pay for.  Some simply shoot the wedding and provide an unedited or poorly edited photography on a disc.   And you have a slight step above snap shots of your wedding.    A good photographer will come in with a well planned approach unique to your wedding...(more on this in a subsequent blog)

Bare minimums:

Equipment:
Should be at least digial slr, 10 mp or higher, cameras.  A  minimum of DX format cameras in the semi professional to professional level with a preference for FX format sensors.  Then there should be more than one.  What is the primary equipment?  and  What back up equipment is available? Just in case the equipment is stolen, or an accident happens.   Most quality photographers will list or display their equipment in some form.  
Lighting available.  The days of shooting a wedding with a flash are quickly becoming a thing of the past.  Actually having lighting to shoot with will increase the quality and assure a good photo.  So a review of the lighting, is important.
Video, if you want a video of the  your wedding, review the video equipment the resolution, and ask if there is a back up camera.

How many photographers?  For a simple wedding a photographer with an assistant should be adequate.  For a wedding with more than a few guests (60or more) with larger plan than a wedding march, solo, vows and exit,  you will want to be sure two photographers are available and shooting to  be sure you don't miss anything.




More to come....