Marcia Morrison is the owner of Marcia Morrison Photography. I have worked with Marcia on numerous occasions and can recommend her very highly. Her professionalism, style and on the job demenor insure that your wedding photo shoot will run smoothly. Marcia's beautiful, award winning photography of your day will become an instant family heirloom. This article on choosing a professional photographer was written by Marcia and is included here with her permission." Judy Handley, Handley Video Productions   

The Important Task of Choosing Your Photographer
By Marcia Morrison, Marcia Morrison Photography   www.marciamorrison.com 

When I was first asked to write this article, I began to think about all of the changes in the wedding photography industry in recent years. All of the do’s and don’ts about selecting the right wedding photographer in the how-to books of the 80's and 90's are now totally passe’. Up until the past few years, the criteria for choosing the right photographer centered around who could make everything look the most perfect. Who could assemble everyone in a perfect little group, straighten every bow tie and move every little hair into place. Then on the count of three, the lights from the myriad of stands, umbrellas and equipment the photographer has stationed at the alter suddenly blind your eyes and... viola!, a perfect picture of the picture perfect day is created.

I have to admit, having been a wedding photographer for 23 years now, even I created those boring, but perfect looking pictures for a number of years. The sad thing is, many photographers are still in that rut today. Many photographers detest doing weddings but force themselves to do so. They still do the same old thing with the same old equipment. The even sadder thing is that the bride usually figures this out when it is too late.

In about 1999, under the study of nationally renowned wedding photographer, Denis Reggie, my photojournalist husband and I began to see wedding photography in a whole different light. I had also owned bridal stores for a number of years and was very familiar with the bridal magazines out there. I began to look at and study them, knowing that my client, the bride, usually considered those magazines to be her bible of sorts when planning her wedding. The photography style in the magazines was much more documentary. Less posing, more casual...more real. At the same time, my husband began to think of covering a wedding more like doing sports photography. Shooting what he saw, and not arranging perfect pictures. Presenting photos that show what happened at the wedding, and not just who was at the wedding.

This is our style of photography today. This is the industry’s style of wedding photography today. A few formal posed pictures with minimal extra lighting equipment, and a lot of natural, as-it-happened photos. This new style, along with our new collage-style coffee table albums have energized us, and have increased the passion we have for this work.

In laying out the most important aspects to consider when selecting your photographer, I consider the single most important element is to find someone with this passion. Someone who loves shooting weddings. Someone who considers it an opportunity, but at the same time realizes it is a great responsibility to record one of the most poignant milestones in your life. This person must have a personality that you and the groom are comfortable with. They must possess a creative eye, and have an artistic flair. They must be agile, quick on their feet, with energy to spare. They must know the church layout, be familiar with the area, and not compromise your wedding coverage when any adverse conditions (such as weather, late bride, etc.) arise. They must know how to make the most of every spare minute as the day unfolds. And, without a doubt, you should meet the main photographer actually shooting your wedding. It is very risky to book photography with a studio or photographer that has a staff of photographers.  In this situation, you  need to request to see samples of his/her work, ask questions about their equipment and experience, and even include the name of this person in your contract with the studio. Hopefully this will at least reduce your risk of a different, maybe less qualified photographer showing up at the last minute.

The second most important element in selecting your photographer is to explore his opinions and expertise about the equipment available today and what equipment he is using. With the advent of phenomenal professional digital cameras in recent years, I personally think the idea of using a film camera at a wedding and being saddled with changing rolls of film at inopportune times, and not knowing the results until it has been sent to the lab and developed is an obsolete idea who’s time has long passed. For years, film was the only choice. There was no option to that element of risk. Being able to greatly reduce that risk by switching to digital is, in my mind, the only option for a responsible wedding photographer. How can the photographer take everything that happens, get the lighting right, and deliver the photos timely if he’s got to be saddled with rolls of film and the costs associated and risks with shooting with film? The type of backup equipment he carries, and the variation of lenses he uses are also important. He must have lenses that cover everything from wide angle to telephoto distances. Fast lenses that work in low lighting conditions.

The third important element in selecting your photographer is to explore his packages and pricing structure. Most weddings are set up on a budget. Dad wants to know how much everything is going to cost. How can you tell him this if the photographer has a fee for shooting the wedding, then you build the album later? It may take a smaller amount of money now, but you need to know the final cost and what you will be getting for that amount. Do not subject yourself to waiting until after you have seen the proofs and fallen in love with every one of them to find out the price of buying your completed album. Don’t choose a photographer that wants to bank on your emotions. There are enough financial surprises throughout the wedding process. The photography shouldn’t be one of them. It is too important.

Lastly, I implore brides to not make the mistake I hear from past brides most often. Realize before your wedding that, other than the rings, the pictures are all you will have when the wedding has passed. Don’t go over budget impressing the guests with more flowers, a more elaborate buffet, a more expensive gown, etc. if it means cutting the amount budgeted for pictures, or under budgeting for them in the first place. The day goes by in a whirlwind. Many moments you won’t even remember. Those memories are in your pictures. Just remember, before the wedding, your focus is all about the day. After the wedding, its all about the memories.