THE CHECK-LIST

# 1 -- The Photographer

Forget the Photo's for a second. Forget the Camera or what "Brand" they shoot with. Hell, don't even think about if he'll be dressed in a Suit & Tie or Short-Shorts and Flip-Flops at this point. Simply go out and meet your Photographer, as this is the most important thing you could ever do. This is a person you'll be spending, in some cases, the entire day with. You better click with them. You better like them. And you better be able to have a conversation with them!

If you don't like them, regardless of how great or mediocre their Photography is, how do you expect to put up with them for an entire day, while they poke and prod a giant Camera & Lens in your direction? The Photographer should, in my opinion, be like a best friend. Although you would think the "safer" bet would be to go with someone 100% Business-like, right? But why, exactly?! The point I'm getting at is simple: Find someone you could imagine as a friend.

That isn't to say you should hire someone who acts like a goof or dresses like a slob, or worse even still - An actual Friend. You do need a happy medium in a business context, of course. But I think it is safe to presume most would prefer someone they like following them all day with a Camera & Lens then someone that they don't. You may prefer the latter, but for those who want to look back on their day as a happy experience - Maybe hire a happy Photographer, because if you get a grump, they'll be there. All day long. Taking photo's.

Think about it.

# 2 -- The Photo's

If your Photographer passed step # 1 of my gruelling test, then onto the next important part, The Photo's! Look at their work. Well, duh. But there are a few things you can do to make sure you have a "Good" Photographer, versus a "Bad" Photographer. I use these terms very loosely, as what constitutes "Good" or "Bad" has completely different connotations, person to person.

How to spot what you personally think is "Good" or "Bad" though, is simple. Consistency. When you are shown a gallery from a Photographer or meet with them, what are they showing you? 30 different photo's of 30 different people? If so, ask for more. And ask for more from one particular Wedding.

Ever hear the old adage, "even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in it's life-time"? Or, "even a broken clock is right twice a day"? The same metaphor can be applied to Photographers - If a Photographer can't show you consistent results (Good or Bad) from one Wedding then pick up your purse and Fiancé and run.

Out of any Wedding, Photographer's will take up to 1200 Photo's; Some take more, some less. But we typically cull a little over half of the images we take before showing them to you, depending on how many hours we are covering. The point is, if a Photographer is only showing you 20 Photo's from 20 different Weddings... They have culled a lot to find those rare gems and probably, for good reason..

This isn't to say that every Photographer who shows individual Wedding's initially is going to be "bad". It can simply mean they are holding onto the rest of the shots until you specifically ask for them (I personally do this, just look at my Website). It could mean they don't like showing them until you are at a meeting (Another thing I do, so my previous Brides don't feel "on display") -- It could be for any number of reasons.

But if you have actually requested more from one particular Wedding and they cannot provide it, then it probably means one thing - You are going to get one "great" shot from that Photographer and the rest, at best, mediocre. So key here is Consistency. Consistency. Consistency.

# 3 -- Ask Questions

Ask. Ask. Ask. As much as you can - Even if you sound like a broken record or re-ask questions you are unsure about. You should know what you are buying into, front to back. You should be able to quote the same sales pitch the Photographer gave you, back to your friends and family. In short, you should be able to know, without looking at a contract, what you are getting out of your Photographer. Not the other way around.

Yep, you heard me say it. Ever have an interview with me? Interrogate me. Give me the 6th (Mhmm, one degree hotter than usual) degree. Extra strong light bulb in a dodgy swivel lamp and all. Some Photographers hide behind contracts and industry jargon. Pump your brakes, though. I'm not saying all do this. That would be like saying, "Everyone who drives a Volvo is going to run you over.", or something to that affect. I'm saying, don't be caught out by that odd Photographer looking to milk the metaphorical cash cow.

If the Package or Photographer you are hiring or buying isn't described plainly or understood in simple terms, or worse still, you cannot understand what they are saying, again, run. Purse? Fiancé? Reeboks? Check. Check. Check. Then run like Forrest Gump.

This step ties in perfectly with my first step - You should be able to click (never-mind the pun) with your Photographer and understand him. You should be able to ask him questions until you are blue in the face ... And not have to apologise for asking them. They should be able to smile, laugh about it with you and then explain it, in simple, straight-forward terms. Easy-peasy step this one - Ask questions.

Otherwise, you may regret it. "What? Did you accidentally overlook the fine-print that says reprints cost $60.00 per 4x6 inch? Oh, sorry. Anyway, that'll be $6000 for 100 tiny 4x6 inch prints that only costed me $60, thanks!". Not much you can do either, sadly. If you signed the contract, you are obligated to pay it, if you want the product. Even if you take them to court over the matter. It is a legally binding contract.  So, be sure about what you are signing into from the get-go! Ask, Ask, Ask!

# 4 -- The Contract

Contract's are fast becoming second nature with Photographers. I have one. They're great. They say all sorts of things and cover my butt from a legal and business standpoint -- But they shouldn't be scary.

This step ties in with my last step: Ask Questions! If there is something you do not 110% comprehend about anything outlined in your contract or there is a spelling mistake or two sections that do not coincide with each other (This happened to me recently, I changed one clause and forgot to amend another section stating the same and a Bride called me on it -- THANKYOU!!) -- Ask the Photographer.

It'll save the Photographer and yourself confusion and most probably, a headache. We're Human, after all, we make mistakes just like anyone else in Business - Some without even realising it. You wont get your head chewed off, simply for wanting clarification. And if you do, then it'll tie back into Step # 1 of this Check-List and perhaps you shouldn't be hiring that Photographer.

So get this part out of the way, long before you sign it. I even encourage amendments to sections of my contract - For instance, I have a Model Release saying I can use the Photo's anywhere. Billboards, Blogs, Websites, you name it. But not everyone wants their faces plastered around the world... I understand that and in most cases, will respectfully add a clause adhering to whatever circumstances are desired. Your Photographer should, too. It is a two way street, after all.

But whatever happens, don't be scared of contracts. And if the Photographer you are hiring doesn't have one -- Ask for one. They obligate him to show up on the day and obligate you to pay him. Win-win, right? They're a necessity and really, are great for both parties.

Step # 5 -- Trust

This step is relatively straight forward. If you can't smile, laugh, kiss, make fun of yourself, dream, scheme and wonder at the beauty of the day with your Photographer, then how on Earth do you expect to come out of it happy? The Photographer / Client relationship is one of trust. You need to trust that they are going to get the shots you love and want. You need to trust they aren't going to make your chin look fat. You need to trust that they aren't going to take a photo of you from a bad angle, then blow it up 20 sizes and have it as their Business Billboard on the Motorway.

You need to be able to let yourself go on the day and not feel like you are being stalked by a Camera, but instead, documented by an acquaintance you know, like and trust.

Forget whether or not they will do the job right, trust that they will and enjoy the day, instead. If you can't, you have the wrong Photographer and the chances of you getting great Photograph's from them, is slim to none - Not because of the Photographer. But because you can't be comfortable in front of them. So, find a Photographer you can trust and be yourself around!

Most importantly, have fun on the day.