Viewing a photographer's wedding portfolio

Pointers and considerations

Who should attend the meeting with the photographer? Unquestionably, the bride should, ideally with her fiance. The bride's parents may also wish to be there, and their presence may be quite helpful in the decision-making process. Whoever is actually paying for the wedding photography should also attend.

Be prepared with a checkbook in case you wish to confirm the photographer's services, which generally requires payment of a deposit.

There are several ways in which a wedding photographer may show you his or her work. You could be seated in an easy chair in a posh studio’s viewing room and presented with a slide show or an electronic presentation; you could be standing around a kitchen table looking at an album containing 4" X 6" prints; or, you may be in front of your own computer screen viewing an on-line portfolio on a photographer’s web site.

Regardless of the setting and the degree of comfort, the purpose is to view the photographer’s work and assess whether a particular photographer is the one to shoot your wedding. The preferred viewing approach is one where you and the photographer are together in person, so you can assess personality and compatibility as well as photographic ability and style.

SOME CONSIDERATIONS WHEN VIEWING A PHOTOGRAPHER’S WEDDING PORTFOLIO:

1. Were the majority of the pictures that you like taken in a studio or outdoors?

If the overwhelming number are studio shots, the photographer may not be all that proficient at spontaneous posing or candid work, and you should ask to see more location shots before reaching a decision. Conversely, if the best pictures were taken outdoors and there are few studio shots, perhaps the photographer has little studio experience.

2. Do people in the pictures look the way you want to look in your wedding pictures?

Ask yourself as you look over the pictures whether the subjects look comfortable and at ease, or do they appear self-conscious, strained or awkwardly-posed? Do they look natural?

Odds are high that people in your wedding pictures will turn out much the same as the people in the pictures the photographer is showing you if you hire that photographer, regardless of the setting, especially if the people in the majority of the pictures have similar characteristic looks and poses. If his or her pictures show how you want your wedding pictures to look, you are on the right track. If you dislike most of the photographs, it would be wise to seek another photographer.

3. Is the photographer’s style acceptable to you?

There are several questions you can ask yourself as you review the pictures to get a feel for the photographer’s style. For example:

• Are many of the pictures taken at odd angles?
• Is there a preponderance of photographs that have very shallow focus?
• Is there a great deal of contrast, or is there a great deal of softness in the pictures?
• Are the people doing things, or are they mainly static?
• Is there a good deal of emphasis on carefully-posed, super formal shots with the bride and groom looking away from the camera?
• Are there no pictures where people look happy?
• Are there none where the people look serious?
• Is there too much use of very wide-angle lenses, or none at all?
• Are the close-ups too close?
• Are there a large number of pictures where people have their backs to the camera? Or where their faces are partially concealed?

None of these types of pictures is necessarily bad. They may simply reflect a particular style of photography. (See our section entitled Types of photography) In fact, it is often difficult for a photographer to obtain consistently good pictures and stay within the parameters of his or her particular style. The issue is really whether you like the style and find it suitable for your wedding pictures.

You generally can’t judge a photographer’s style from one or two pictures. You get a feel for it as you go through many photographs, and notice consistencies and similarities that are either pleasing or displeasing to you. Bear in mind that good photographers can usually shoot in more than one style, and will pay attention to your comments as you review their pictures to find out what appears to be pleasing to you and what you don’t seem to like. If you don’t get the right “vibes” from the photographer’s work, even though it may be excellent photography, then that photographer is probably not for you.

Some technically-skilled photographers take your wedding photographs for themselves - not for you - although they may not realize it. Their highly-posed, technically-challenging pictures may win them points at photography competitions, but they may not portray you and your wedding as you wish it to be portrayed. Their pictures are devoid of personality - your personality - and no matter how awesome-looking the final images may be, they may not reflect the uniqueness of your wedding. Be aware of this as you look at a photographer's wedding portfolio, and don't be tricked into becoming a model to enhance the photographer's career at the expense of your wedding memories.

WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN THE INDIVIDUAL PICTURES

Have a look through our section entitled Details to look for to assess a photographer's ability to capture your wedding as you want it photographed.