Photography: Important Questions and Considerations

Your wedding photography is perhaps one of the most important and expensive aspects of your wedding day. Long after your wedding is over, your photographs will provide a way to remember your special day. Selecting the right photographer is an extremely important decision and one that you will want to spend a great deal of time investigating. The following list of questions to ask yourself and potential photographers will get you on the right track and will help you narrow down the many choices.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Examine the quality of the photographer's work. Are the pictures framed and well centered?

Is the lighting effective? Are details visible?

Does the photographer's work capture the moment?

Do the pictures express the romance and emotion of the day?

Do people look comfortable and relaxed?

Do the pictures tell a story?

Are the pictures posed, candid, or a combination of both?

Do you feel comfortable with the photographer? You will spend a great deal of time with this person on your wedding day and if you are not comfortable working with him/her it will show in your photographs.

Questions to Ask a Photographer:

What is his primary style of photography? Traditional posed photography, candid or photojournalistic photography, or a combination of both.

Does he take photos in color, black-and-white, or both?

What types or cameras does he use? Does he bring back-up equipment to the wedding in case of an emergency?

What percentage of his business is in wedding photography? You want to hire someone that has plenty of experience in capturing all of the important aspects of a wedding.

Will the person you are meeting with actually be the one taking your photographs or will it be someone else in the studio?

When viewing displays, ask whose work you're viewing and if this is who will actually be taking your wedding photographs. If not, ask to see sample work from the person who will be taking your photographs.

Does he prefer for you to describe exactly what you would like or does he prefer to have free rein to capture your big day?

Is he free on your wedding date?

What kinds of packages does he offer? Can you get a price list?

Does the contract price include a charge for the proofs?

How many proofs will you receive and when will they be ready?

Is there a time limit on how long the photographer is available included in the contract?

Is there an overtime charge? How much is it?

When and how do you receive your order once it has been placed?

How long does he keep negatives? What is the price to reorder later?

What is the deposit price and when is it due?

Wedding Stress - How To Deal

With all that is going on, it's no wonder you're asking yourself the age-old question-- "why didn't we elope?" Don't do anything rash, these feelings are completely normal, and trust me, you're not alone. The easiest way to keep from getting bogged down is to take a moment and admire your surroundings. No, I'm not crazy, but I've been there and know that the best medicine is sequestering yourself and remembering why you agreed to marry this person. Here are a few tips to making it over the hump into a blissful marriage.

If you can, start small. When wedding planning gets hectic take a few moments to focus on something non-wedding related. Call your cousin and ask how the kids are, or meet your best friend for the dish on her dating dilemmas. Simply removing yourself from the tumult for even just five minutes can rejuvenate even the weariest brides-to-be. If this doesn't work, or there doesn't appear to be time for speed-therapy, declare the next day (or weekend) to doing the things you did before you were engaged. Catch a movie, set a lavish dinner date with the object of your affection, or just lounge around on the couch watching "Friends" reruns and eating popcorn alone or with a good friend. Whatever it takes, remind yourself of what you have to look forward to once the planning is kaput.

If you're still pulling your hair out, say sayonara to the spouse-to-be (for the night, that is), and call up your closest chicas (or chicos) to celebrate your sanity. Don't go crazy, but do the things you and your girls (or boys) love to do, like getting a mani-pedi or sipping sangria by the pool. Hopefully your maid of honor knows that her commitment until you say "I Do" is to lend an ear and offer helping hand when the time is right. During this time the most important thing for a bride to do is focus on the upcoming dramatic change, and recruit faithful attendants to which you can delegate, delegate, delegate.

So, if after all of the advice previously mentioned is heeded and you're still a wreck, call up your wedding planner and alert her of her new revised responsibilities. In the end, the entire hubbub is about ensuring that you have the most beautiful and glorious day possible will be resolved with the assurance that you are well taken care.