Phoenix Wedding Photographers Guide

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Tips on Finding the Perfect Cameraman in Arizona

Phoenix, with its sweeping desert areas, gorgeous greens, and chic downtown district, makes for stunning wedding backdrops. Lucky for you, you’re going to catch all of that, and more, with a fabulous wedding photographer. The fifth-largest city in the country is one of the most popular wedding destinations; follow these guidelines, and finding the perfect photographer should be as easy as saying “cheese.”

Start your Phoenix 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 will vary tremendously, depending on the size of your wedding and your photography needs. Some couples want color photos, some also request black and white. You also may want a variety of candid shots.

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

Once you’re ready to “shoot the breeze” with local photographers, visit the OurWeddingDay.com Phoenix Local Vendor section for a great list of top Phoenix wedding photographers.

Some photographers charge by the roll, and some by the hour. Before you interview photographers, you should have an idea about the type of photographs you want. It’s wise to visit web sites of potential clients. When talking with photographers in Phoenix, go over must-have shots (cake-cutting, first dance), as well as any particular pictures he needs to snap.

It’s extremely important that you like the photographer’s personality, as he will be a “guest” at your wedding. You’ll be much more comfortable having a camera in front of you if you get along with the person behind it.

A Phoenix wedding photographer who’s familiar with your site has the advantage of knowing the lighting requirements and the best backdrops. If the Arizona wedding photographer you hire doesn’t know your wedding spot, make sure to take him on a guided tour. Nowadays, more and more couples are taking photographs before the wedding, when makeup and outfits are as fresh as possible. Whenever you decide to take photos, make sure you don’t keep the reception guests waiting too long. Also, 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’ll need to have, in writing, all additional fees so there are no surprises when the bill comes. Should you ask for anything specific or unusual, get the fee upfront and write it down.

Now have a fabulous day and let your photographer snap to it!