Wedding Photography Checklist

The bride and groom must go to this meeting ready to ask important questions they've prepared ahead of time. Consider asking the photographer about these points:

Cost - Does the photographer have package prices? What does each package include (size and number of prints)? Can services be ordered a la carte? Is the album extra? Can the couple choose from a selection of albums? How much do duplicate prints cost (for relatives and attendants)? How can out-of-town folks order and pay for photos? How will their photos be delivered? Will there be meal or transportation expenses?

Contract - Once all the details have been decided on, will the services and prices be confirmed in a contract, and with whom will the couple be dealing? Or, will final price be decided after viewing and deciding on the proofs? Will the contract specify delivery times of proofs and final copies? Who will own the negatives? What is the payment schedule? Who is responsible for lost proofs? Is the photographer's attendance guaranteed? What if he doesn't make it? What happens if the date of the wedding changes or some other circumstance intervenes?

"Must" Photos - Will all desired formal and candid shots of the wedding and reception be taken? Are they guaranteed? What type of format will be used and why? Will there be any special effect shots (double exposure, special filters, fadeouts, etc.)? Will the photographer use a list of wanted photos provided by the bride and groom? (A helpful photography checklist can be found in the "Worksheet Section" of this publication.)

Bridal Portrait - Is the bridal portrait included in the package price? Will it be taken the day of the ceremony, the day of the final fitting or at a less hectic time, like a month before the wedding? Where will it be taken -- at the bridal shop, the photographer's studio, the bride's home, the bride's mother's home, a special site or the church? Will full-length and head-and-shoulder shots be taken? Can a black-and-white shot be taken for newspaper announcements?

Scheduling - Will the formal wedding party shots be taken before or after the wedding? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each time? When will the photographer arrive? How long will he or she stay at the reception?

Wedding Site - Is the photographer familiar with the site and its policies? Is it necessary to supply the photographer with a copy of site policies and rules? Should the bride and groom arrange a pre-wedding visit to check lighting, filter and positioning requirements?

With so many questions to consider, the need for a professional, experienced photographer becomes clear. The ability to take good photos is certainly not the only point of consideration. The photographer must also be a good communicator, willing to listen to the couple's wishes and able to successfully explain his artistic style, assuring the couple that they will get what they want. And what they want, of course, are photographs to last a lifetime.