Welcome to the World of Artist William Miller Clark, from Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A.

How To Choose The Right Wedding Photographer For You!

Wow! This Is A Lot of Work! Is It Worth it?

Choosing a photographer for your wedding is one of the most important decisions you have to make. Who you decide to be your wedding photographer will impact you for your entire life. Think about it. Your wedding is a team consisting of you, your family, relatives and friends. With your photographer, images will be created that will last for generations to come, telling a story about your beautiful wedding day.

What will that story be? Remember it is through the eyes, heart and soul of your photographer that will capture a symphony of photographs of your wedding. How should your wedding play out? This will help guide you to make the correct decision.

Consider Selecting Your Photographer First!

Why? I have created weddings in many places. I offer a broad view from the many experiences I've created with photography. I can suggest clothing and flowers that will help flatter you and make you more attractive and beautiful. I have taken weddings at many locations and can help you with your selection of place for your ceremony and reception. By having those experiences, covering a broad base of locations, looked at clothing on people, what will make you look beautiful is important versus what's in fashion at the moment.

Is the time of day or evening important to you? How about the month? Have you considered a Friday or Sunday wedding?

Don't look just on availability! Talk to me. I've had experiences with many, many places.

Think About Your Wedding Day

Search the internet for thoughts and ideas on lists of recommended pictures to take. This task, perhaps, will cause you to think about what style of wedding should I have? Do you want portraits of you and your significant other and your families? And photographs of relatives and friends? What about the candid photojournalism photographs? Are they important to you?

I've printed several possible lists for you to look at and see if they fit with your vision of your wedding. Remember, this is your wedding. You are in charge. Any photographer you are possibly going to hire should be able to create both the portrait images as well as the photojournalistic images. It's not the quantity of images but the quality that counts!

Here are some questions You Should Ask Every Photographer You Interview

How much money do you think I should spend for my wedding including a wedding album? Can I hire you for the wedding without an album?
Can I get the high resolution files on CD's/DVD's with a written & signed copyright release?
How will I select the wedding photographs? What will I see? How about a digitized proof book?
Will you photograph the wedding the way I want you to?
Should I seek advice from my family and friends?
What is your photographic style? What do you think is right for me?
What about black and white images?
What role does makeup and hairstyle play with photography?
Who will photograph my wedding? How important is the personality and appearance of your photographer? Will you have at least one assistant?
Do I really want to see the real me?
Do you prefer a “hands-off” or “hands-on” approach to your wedding photography?
What is your philosophy of wedding photography?
Can you recommend how you might photograph me, so that I can have the most beautiful pictures I've ever had?
Is there anything about my face or my personality that you think you could emphasize or de-emphasize?
Where would you be placing the emphasis in your photography? On the wedding party? The family? Faces? Feelings?
Timing is very important for my wedding. If I want them, when will the formal pictures be taken? This has the potential to cause a lot of stress!
Should I have pictures taken of the both of us together before the wedding?
Should I be concerned with the photographer's equipment?
Have you taken at least one class each year to keep up your creativity and wedding photography skills? Who, where and when did you take the seminar?

What is your reaction at the conclusion of the interview? Should you make a commitment or go see other photographers? I believe if you are comfortable with the person and the answers that s(he) gave you I'd sign up on the spot with a guarantee that you have “x” number of days to cancel with a full refund of your down payment.

All your family members, relatives and friends will be affected by your decision. Yes, the choice of your wedding photographer is very important. The joy (or pain) of your ultimate collection of wedding images will be with you much longer than the amount of money invested!

Now go back and read the first line just below the title. Your answer to the question? Isn't it obvious? I hope a definite YES!

Thanks!

Bill Clark