This week's theme: Picking the right wedding photographer

I'm going to try to start doing themes for some of my blog posts. When I have an idea for a theme, I will announce it that week and all my blogs will focus on that topic.

This week I chose to focus on tips to choosing the right wedding photographer. This not only includes the search process, but also what kinds of poses you should ask the photographer to use on your wedding day.

Today's post will focus on what questions to ask a photographer when you are interviewing them.

Are you the one who's going to be shooting our wedding, or will it be one of your colleagues?
Make sure the person whose book you've seen is also the one who takes the pictures. Not only should you meet the photographer in question, but his or her name should be clearly indicated on your contract. This is not to say, the photographer shouldn't have an assistant or second shooter.

What percentage of your pictures are candids, as opposed to posed?
This is going to be important if you prefer formal portraits to spontaneous shots, or vice versa, or want a mixture of both.

How many rolls of films or digital images are you going to shoot?
The more pictures your photographer takes, the more shots you'll be able to choose from for the final prints. You'll also want to find out whether pictures will be in color or black and white, or both, and whether you can pick your own album. As a general rule, the more flexible your photographer-and the greater the options you're offered-the greater the likelihood that you'll be pleased by the final outcome.

Have you shot at the selected wedding and reception sites before?
Photographers should be aware of the various rooms' special lighting needs, or specific restrictions regarding picture-taking or, say, the use of flash equipment. If they haven't shot at the location, it's not a deal breaker at all. But you want to make sure they will visit the site ahead of time with you to familiarize themselves in all possible shoot areas.

When must I put the deposit down, and when is the balance due?
Costs are tricky, and you should establish ahead of time what is owed when, and whether it is refundable (rarely!) if you decide to cancel. Normally, it's half due at signing the contract and the remaining amount due a week prior. Some photographers will do payment plans. You should also find out whether there is a charge for overtime, when the albums will be delivered, and whether you can hold onto the negatives longer than scheduled--or other loving members of the family--keep coming back for more! Also, see if there are smaller album options for making two or three albums; maybe your Mom or your Mom-in-law would like a small yet professional album.