Tipsheet: Choosing the Photographer

• Published 2003

Before you hire a photographer, make sure you:

• Decide whether you want traditional or photojournalistic style.

• Book appointments to see sample albums.

• Consider having someone in your family or wedding party informally direct and point out the important people to shoot during the reception.

• Let the photographer know what ratio of black-and-white to color film you want.

• Ask who keeps the negatives. If the photographer does, you’ll have to pay every time you want more prints.

• Inquire about the cancellation policy. Most photographers require a nonrefundable deposit—typically as much as a third to one half of the base fee.

• Understand exactly what’s included in the price (which ranges from $2,500 to $20,000 and averages about $5,000).

• Remember: Common additional costs include the price of the album, reprints, overtime rates, extra rolls of film, an assistant, and transportation expenses.