Boston Photographers Guide, Boston Wedding Guide Advice from OurWeddingDay.com

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Boston Photographers Guide

How to Get the Best Wedding Pictures at Your Massachusetts Wedding

Finding the right wedding photographer for your Boston ceremony is crucial for getting the look that suits your style.

Start your Boston photographer search about 8 months’ prior to your wedding, and after you’ve picked your site. Expect to pay at least $2,000 for a good photographer, a price that varies tremendously depending on the size of your wedding, the location, and your specific needs. Some couples want color photos, some also request black and white. You also might want a variety of candid shots.

When searching, ask friends and relatives, as well as other Boston wedding vendors. Always ask for references, and contact the Better Business Bureau for complaints. Make sure your Boston wedding photographer has a good 50 weddings under his belt, and that weddings are his expertise. Look through an entire wedding he’s shot, not just a “best of” catalog, to get a feel for how he shoots an entire ceremony.

Once you’re ready to get serious about photography, visit the OurWeddingDay.com Boston Area Local Vendor Section for a great list of top-rated Boston wedding photographers.

Some photographers charge by the roll, some by the hour. Before you start the interview process, have an idea about the type of photographs you want. Visit web sites of potential clients and go through friends’ wedding books. When talking with Boston photographers, go over must-have shots (cake-cutting, first dance), as well as particular shots you need (Grandma’s entrance).

It’s imperative that you click with the photographer’s personality, as he will be a “guest” at your wedding. If he doesn’t put you at ease, you’re going to be much less relaxed while he’s snapping photos. If the photographer you hire knows the site, he has the advantage of knowing the lighting requirements and the best backdrops. If he doesn’t know your site, take him on a guided tour.

Nowadays, more and more couples are taking photographs before the wedding, when makeup and outfits are still fresh. Whatever you decide, try not to keep reception guests waiting too long. Keep imbibing down to a minimum until after the major shooting is finished.

On the contract, make sure the photographer you hire is the one who shows up for the wedding, and get the name of a substitute photographer in case of a last-minute emergency. You also need to have all additional fees in writing so there are no last-minute surprises. Should you have any specific requests, get the fee upfront and have it written down.

-David Toussaint