You've heard the age-old adage of how your flowers will die, your food will get eaten, your dress will get hung up in the wardrobe for decades, but your wedding photographs will live forever.
I'm not suggesting that without wedding photographs you'll have nothing to remember your day by but there is a lot of truth in that old saying, I'm sure you'll agree.

If your wedding photographs will live forever, how do you go about finding the perfect person to record your wedding day?

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM A PHOTOGRAPHER?

As a couple you need to work together to decide what you both want from a photographer.

*              Come to an agreement on whether you want a lot of formal pictures of your family and friends, or if you would prefer a more candid approach.

*              Would you like lots of pictures of all the details that you lovingly arranged, or are pictures of Grandad laughing at the best mans speech more important to you?

All of those things are important, but you need to work out what is more important to you both.

As an engaged couple, the chances of you spending a large amount of money on glossy wedding magazines is pretty high. I just know!

*              Which wedding pictures caught your eye?

*              Natural or posed?

*              Did the posed ones look almost natural?

*              Have you been to a recent wedding where the photographer impressed you before you even saw the pictures?

Find out who these photographers are! The ones in magazines are there because they want you to hire them, they're looking for more work because they love what they do!

Most photographers have a blog, they're designed especially for you. Look for photographers in your rough area who have blogs and find a few that you admire.

Google this: "[your nearest city] wedding photography blog"

You'll most likely be inundated with a large amount of blogs, some better than others.
If you are looking for someone to cover your day in a photojournalistic way, look on the WPJA for example.

WHAT IS IT YOU LIKE ABOUT THEIR STYLE?

Out of the few photographers that really stand out to you, is there one that you can't keep away from?

*          Try to pinpoint the reasons why you keep on going back to see their pictures.

*          Look for originality and humour in their pictures as well use of initiative.

You don't need an understanding of cameras and lenses for these things!

Can you imagine yourself in their pictures?

If they have a blog, look through all their recent weddings and learn to understand their style.

What is their style of writing like?

You should be able to tell if they have a real passion for weddings!

BE SURE BEFORE YOU BOOK

Try to get to know them through their pictures and style before you even meet them.

*          Before you meet up, ask your photographer to bring a sample wedding album or two.

*          Do you like the album and the layout of the images?

*          Are there other options if it isn't to your taste?

When you meet up, you must both like your photographer as a person. Could you be friends with them? You don't have to become friends with them of course but you do need to be that comfortable with them.
They will be with you on the happiest and most important day of your lives sharing those special moments.
You wouldn't invite someone that you don't like to be a guest at your own wedding would you?

Your prospective photographer needs to be someone who is very interested in you. You'll know if they're being genuine.

Notice that none of the advice I've given is about megapixels and special effects in Photoshop.
If you like pictures with special effects applied, then there is nothing wrong with that. Photoshop doesn't make a bad picture good, in fact it often makes a good picture bad.
I would recommend though, looking for a photographer with images that look as though they will age well; Pictures that aren't faddy.

A few questions you should ask your photographer are:

1.       Will you be the only person shooting our wedding?

2.       Are your packages flexible?

3.       What type of insurance do you have?

4.       Do you have back-up equipment?

5.       What will you do if you are sick and cannot cover our wedding?

6.       How long will it take for us to see the pictures?

Choosing a photographer doesn't have to be hard.
You must simply love your photographers work and have total confidence in them.
If you follow this advice, I'm sure you'll find your perfect photographer that can record your day just as you remember it!