Choosing your Boston wedding photographer.

So I thought I would offer some insight from a Boston wedding photographers perspective on how you should go about selecting who you want to take your wedding photos on the big day.

This can feel like a tough challenge, and finding a good match is essential with regards to the end result. I would recommend starting your search early and having a good idea of what it is you want from your wedding photographer in Boston. Remember, on the actual day you will be spending a lot of time with your chosen photographer, so getting someone you can work with will make the memories of your day so much better.

To start you should first consider the style of photography that you wish to have your day captured in. These days, there is not just one style of wedding photography. Traditional wedding photography is no longer the only type, and long are the days of formal group shots filling your wedding album. Traditional still has a place, but now photojournalistic photography and fashion photography are forcing their way firmly onto the scene. I for example shoot an editorial style of wedding photography in Boston. This takes in both a documentary aspect from photojournalism with some traditional and unique posed shots.

Your budget will come into affect as you then look for photographers that are within a range that you have set. Your wedding photography budget may be something you are tempted to cut back on, but it will be your photos that you look back on in the coming years to remember your day by. Always go for the best photographer you can and remove any package additions you don’t need. You can always add on things like albums later and they can make very good presents from guests at your wedding. I have a completely customizable set up and work with my clients after their actual wedding to produce albums and anything else I can help with. Even a year or more down the line, if a client gets in touch and asks for an album then, I’m always happy to help.

Some questions that you may want to ask yourself and your photographer before deciding:

1. Have you seen enough of their work? You should be asking to view images from complete weddings they have shot in the past and not just view their online portfolios. Get a complete idea of what you can expect.

2. What should I include in my wedding package? Each photographer offers a little something different, but the fundamentals will be similar. Sit down and write out the main things that you want from your photographer, be it an engagement shoot beforehand, reprint rights to your photos or your album choices after and go through this list with your prospective photographers.

3. Who owns the copyright to the photographs? These belong to the photographer who took your images. However this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to make copies of the photos. Most photographers include the option to purchase the reprint rights to your photographs so that you may make copies of them whenever you want. Usually the restrictions are that you cannot use these images commercially, (for example to promote your own wedding photography business).

4. When should I sign the wedding photography contract? Once you feel happy with your choice of photographer you should sign the contract as soon as possible. Without signing the contract, Boston wedding photographers are unlikely to keep that date saved for you and it could mean that the photographer of your choice takes another booking for that day. A nonrefundable deposit at the time of signing is normally expected to reserve this day, as the Boston wedding photographer you have chosen is putting this date aside for you and turning down further opportunities of work.

5. What should be included in the contract? The names of the bride and groom as well as the photographer should be included in the contract along with contact information for all. The contract should also include  information related to;

All locations that will be shot during the wedding day,

Any on the day requirements for actual photographs (normally groups shots or individuals) or photographer requirements such as food provision or breaks.

The package choices you have made along with itemized billing details for these,

The copyright policy regarding the images and what reprint rights you will have on them,

The deposit amount and when this and the final payments are to be made,

Any cancellation or refund policy, if available.

6.  Will it be the person I met that will photograph my Boston wedding?  I personally shoot every Boston wedding that I book, and while this will be the case most of the time, there are larger Boston wedding photography studios that have a number of photographers associated. If this is the case then make sure that you meet the actual person that will be covering your day to check for compatibility.

7. Are you comfortable with the photographer? This might be the most important question that you ask yourself, and the reason why it is so important to meet your photographer in person. If you are not comfortable with your wedding photographer, your photos will show it. Despite the nerves and excitement of the day, you should feel relaxed and comfortable with your photographer. The best wedding photographers have a way of getting the best out of you on your big day, and engagement shoots are a great way to determine if this is the case.

I hope that this has helped a little in providing some insight into how to go about booking your Boston wedding photographer. If you are interested in booking me for coverage of you Boston wedding, then please get in touch via the contact page on my website and I look forward to hopefully hearing some of the questions above from you soon.