Choosing your photographer

Base your selection on whether you like the kind of work your photographer does. Visit a selection and ask to see examples of their work from recent weddings. Notice how the photographer has chosen his settings and make sure there’s a mixture of different types of shots. If the firm you visit employs several photographers, find out who has taken the pictures you like best and make sure you book that specific photographer for your day – and find out what happens if that photographer is suddenly not available. Decide whether you want formally posed shots, or whether you would like the photographer to take informal pictures as they happen. Black and white photographs are now as popular as colour so find out whether your photographer will shoot in black and white film or turn colour pictures into black and white afterwards. Ask whether proofs will be available at the reception. Your photographer may well know the church and reception venue you have chosen, but if he doesn’t check he will visit both before the day so he can choose the best locations.

Make sure you get a written quotation which specifies exactly how many photographs will be taken, at what points during the day and how much extra prints will cost.
If you want photographs taken in church, check that your vicar or priest is happy for this to happen and at what points during the service.

The video

Much the same advice applies to choosing a videographer as to choosing a photographer.
Make sure you see samples of recent work, make sure the videographer you get is the one whose work you like best. Again check with the vicar or priest first whether he is prepared to give permission for filming during the ceremony.