I have a lot of girls ask me what to look for when choosing their photographer.  Here are some questions to ask and things to look for:

1.  Do you like their style of photography?
     It doesn't matter how cheap their package is if you don't like the pictures.  You're not just buying prints, your buying what is on those prints.  A great photographer is also an artist.  You are buying their "artwork".    
2.  Do you get your digital negatives with your package or do you have to pay extra for them?  Are they high resolution files or are they low resolution (only good for email)?   Do you have to wait until after your wedding (or a year or more after) to get your negatives? 
     With all of my packages you get all your high resolution digital negatives a few days after we shoot the session. 
3.  Does your photographer charge by the hour?  If so, how much?  
     Personally that doesn't make sense to me.  That's why I am there before your wedding begins and leave when your  reception ends. {Full day coverage begins 1 hour prior to ceremony and is until 9 pm at night-additional hours are extra}
4.  How much does their professional prints cost?  This is where it can get really expensive.  Some photographers charge $30 for an 8x10 or more. 
      With me, I look at prints as advertising (like invitations or albums).  My professional prints are very affordable and very beautiful.  
5.  What exactly is a print credit?  How much print credit do you get? 
      A print credit allows you to order whatever size of pictures you want up to that dollar amount.  This depends on what the photographer charges for their prints.  
6.   How much do they charge for albums?  Parent/duplicate albums? 
      I believe that everyone should be able to get an album for their wedding.  That's why I don't charge a lot-also because I know you will show it to everyone you know and that is the best kind of advertising.   My fine art albums made in Italy start at only $450 (compared to most photographers who charge $2,000 for the same kind of album).  Plus when you order an Italian album, the parent/duplicate albums (up to 30 pg) are only $200.  That way your parents can have something to treasure forever as well.
7.  How much are invitations/inserts?
     With me, you get 500 5x7 DOUBLE-SIDED invitations for only$300 including envelopes.  These are all custom designed by me with your input. 

My last tip is to make sure you know what your package REALLY is going to cost you.  It might start out at a low price, but when you add the cost to buy the negatives, add extra hours for the photographer to be there for your entire reception, extra prints that family members and friends might want, and all those extras, like albums and invitations, you might end up paying a lot more that you thought you were going to.  So do your research and ask a lot of questions!


I hope these questions help you figure out exactly what you will get with your photographer and make the decision process go more smoothly!   If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email me at:
terra@magnifiquephotography.com