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There are so many questions to ask, but which will yield the most telling answers? To get good feel for your photographer, here's one you shouldn't skip.
"What is your approach to wedding day photography?" It is important to not only know the photographer's style of images, but the way that they shoot in order to get those images. Are they like a fly on the wall, or do they like to get right in there posing people and creating moments throughout the day? Do they capture a lot of candid images, or do they give a lot of direction? Your experience with the photographer on your wedding day can be just as important as the final images you receive, and this question should lend some crucial insight."

tip 4

An initial shoot with a photographer lets you meet each other in person, gauge chemistry, and see their style firsthand. "We love having an engagement session. We think of it as practice. Most couples aren't used to getting their picture taken, so having a little session before the wedding gives you time to get used to it. It also helps us see how best to encourage you, find out what you are comfortable with, and makes us feel more like a friend the day of the wedding. Engagement session give people confidence- once they get the photos back and they see that they are beautiful and lovely and take a damn good picture, they are typically less anxious about the photos the day of the wedding."

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Viewing a full gallery or two of real weddings a photographers has shot will allow you to see a more comprehensive range, from family portraits to to reception detail shots. "Look for honesty, truth, and emotional connection in a photographer's work. Think back on an event that meant something meaningful in your life. Those meaningful moments in our lives are a series of images in motion. A single frame in our memory can contain incredible intimacy, joy, fear, love, anxiousness, or the "indescribable" we often experience. If those defining moments in your life were captured by a photographer, would they capture you looking right into a camera, wondering what to do with your hands? These moments aren't planned. They aren't staged. They are real. Honest. RAW. Not always perfect. They have motion. Movement. They are part of a MUCH bigger story. Just like your wedding day. What resonates within you? Look for that. I believe you'll know it when you see it."

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There are several things to consider when coming up with your number, and once you have it set, many ways to apply it toward the services you need most.. "The first thing we would suggest when setting your initial budget is get into research mode! Fine a few wedding photographers in your area that post rates publicly on their websites, just so you can get a general idea of what things cost and start with a realistic jumping off point. The other big factor can be timeline and shot list expectation-for example, I offer a sliding scale depending on the length of hours I would be needed on the day. If you are trying to save money, but photos of the prep and getting ready aspect of the day are important to you, perhaps you'll be willing to cut some time off capturing the reception. Things like adding a second photographer will also contribute to the final quote. Just be ready to think about those kind of decisions and communicate with your partner about what is important to you both!"

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With all of the excitement and anticipation that comes with planning your wedding, the day finally comes and passes more quickly than you'd ever imagine. While you should savor each moment, one thing is for sure; you'll want to relive it forever. The best way to draw value out of all you put into your wedding day is to make these moments tangible. So, here we go, the best advice from pros on choosing a wedding photographer to document this day.