Ask a Pro

A: Yes! I always work with the client to find what will work best for their wedding day but whenever the formals
are shot after the ceremony it is always more chaotic. It's much harder to round up family and wedding party, everyone wants to celebrate and talk to people. This then makes the bride & groom tense and no one wants that.

Shooting before the ceremony formals are more relaxed and after talking with your photographer you should have come up with the amount of time to allow for these photos. Taking the time and not rushing it will ensure you don't miss out on any of those important shots. —Alexis Turk

A: I tell clients you should have the wedding the way you want to, it is your day. However with that in mind if you are open to seeing each other beforehand there are several benefits.

First you don't have to worry about the time as much as you can do what you want and there is no rush to get to the reception. You also are typically fresher in terms of appearance having just had makeup and hair done in the case of the bride. I also find that brides and grooms and their family are more open to portraits before hand and afterwords just want to get to the reception, have a cocktail and mingle.

Lastly, I speak from personal experience, I think it releases some stress when you see each other before the actual ceremony and you truly have a moment that is not in front of all of your guest. Regarding any benefits to seeing each other at the ceremony time is in my opinion only the obvious fact that you see each other for the first time that day just before you wed and if that is truly important then that may be the final answer. —David A. Barss

A: It’s always up to my clients, but I have found that an organized hour of formals before the ceremony is easier on everyone. The homework assignment from me is to create a list of the family groups and wedding party combinations... if it is on paper two weeks before the wedding, we can factor in the proper amount of time and it usually requires an organized hour.

Look at it this way... your hair and makeup are fresh, no one has squashed the flowers yet and it is almost a private party ahead of all the other guests. If you start with a private 10 minutes for the bride and groom to see each other, it is a great way to get some of the business part of the day dealt with. After the ceremony, you should be free to mingle with all of those special people who came to see you. —Jamie Bosworth

A: The biggest difference is that when the formals are done after the ceremony, the couple often feels stressed from knowing that their guests are waiting, it takes longer to get them completed because of interruptions from other guests, and it can often be much more difficult to gather your family back together due to them chatting with other guests. —James McCormick

A: If you're a risk taker and open to any possible outcome, by all means, try it. However, you might want to keep a few things in mind.

Even if your friend is a talented photographer, unless he or she regularly photographs weddings, they probably won't be able to anticipate all the moments/locations/events/action that a professional is trained to watch for. Honestly, it's the hardest part of the wedding photographer's job: keeping track of all the moving parts of the day. Where is the bride dressing? Where will the groom be? What's the transportation plan? The lighting at the reception venue? How many batteries will I need today? How will I back up files on location? There are literally hundreds of questions that the professional mentally fields all day long and that's something your friend might not be able to do.

Another issue is lighting. Again, unless your friend is a pro, he or she may not know the lighting schemes that are part of the job. A friend might only be able to handle the easy, daylight portion of the wedding day. Common problems that professionals encounter are odd casts from fluorescent or mixed lighting, low lighting, or large reception venues that require supplemental lighting beyond on-camera flash. Imagine how you'd feel if all your wedding photos were too dark, oddly lit, or had the snap-shot look of on-camera flash.

More emotionally, friends are friends. They might want to enjoy your wedding, maybe have a cocktail instead of hanging around for that great photo of you with your Great-Aunt Selma. Sometimes friends know only one part of our lives and they can tend to focus on that part photographically. A professional photographer looks at each person and situation uniquely. The other hard question: will you still be friends if your wedding pictures are awful?

Having a friend shoot your wedding is a good option is you absolutely can't afford a professional and your goal is "just a couple of photos." Three or four decent photos would be all I would ever expect from a friend shooting a wedding. However, if your vision of your wedding photography includes a artistic, technically competent, beautiful and complete set of photos, you should hire a professional. —Altura Studio

A: Ahh, free always sound good, doesn't it?! Well, Uncle Bob may have a very fancy camera, many people do these days but does Uncle Bob really know how to use it? I'm guessing no. He may go out in his backyard and take great photos of the flowers or he has captured a few great images of his kids. This does not make him an experienced photographer!

A professional photographer will have back-up gear, extra batteries, extra lighting, knowledge of posing, can shoot in any lighting condition, editing software, access to beautiful albums and most importantly years of experience! So yes, you can save yourself thousands of dollars by going the free route but in the end you may not have any images that you even like and this is a story I have heard time and time again from past couples. They get a look of sadness and disappointment on their faces when they tell me, "I don't have any photos that I like!" It's really up to you how you want to record life's big moments and is it important that you have those moments to share with your family and children in the future. Don't regret cutting out good photography, you can't go back and recapture those moments. —Alexis Turk

A: Professional wedding photography has undergone a total revolution since the advent of digital photography. To fully explain the answer to this question, it helps to know how wedding photography USED to work. In the old business model, a photographer would shoot a wedding for a minimal fee, and afterwards, make the bulk of his or her income from the sale of prints, albums and other products. In that day, the photographer generally kept control of the negatives both for safekeeping and to ensure that he or she could earn an adequate income to stay in business.

Flash forward a decade. Virtually every photographer today shoots digitally and the end product of a wedding photography assignment can vary greatly. Some photographers offer proofs, some offer digital negatives, some produce a finished album.

The key point to understand is that every photographer will determine his or her business model that works for them. A photographer might follow the old model: shooting for a low fee and maintaining control of the digital negatives. In this case, you might purchase prints, albums or individual files. Other photographers might charge a higher fee to shoot your wedding and then deliver you a disc of files. In this case, you have the right to print photos, make albums, share your photos with friends and family.

Most photographers, however, limit your use of the files to "personal use." When our studio delivers files to clients, we make it clear that while our clients can print, copy and share the files for their own personal use, they should not upload the files to commercial sites for photo sharing. The photographer of any wedding always retains copyright and ownership to his or her creative output. While you as a wedding client have permission to use and print the images for yourself, you can't legally transfer that right to others. —Altura Studio

A: Photographers are all different and offer different packages. Some may not want the digital files to go to you to preserve the quality of the editing they did on the files. Once we release the digital files (for personal use only), you could potentially do what ever you wanted to them such as turn them black and white in iPhoto with a click of a button. By doing this you have altered the original photographers work. Then say you go and print those photos, share them with your friends and family and when they ask who took the images you'd tell them the name of your photographer. You may have made the image look unsatisfactory and the people looking at it will now think that your photographer did that work.

Also note that if you do receive them in your photography package that you do not own the images! You never have full copyright over them, you are simply getting permission from the professional to use them for personal use. This means you can not sell them or profit from your images in any way. You can reprint them and frame them and give as gifts to family. A professional should go over this info with you at the meeting and when they give you the disk of digital files it should also contain info on what to do with them such as backing up and where and how to print. —Alexis Turk

A: A second photographer is great to have no matter what. The second will give the main photographer more freedom to get creative shots and they can be in two places at the same time. So much happens so quickly at an event that having two people to cover it really helps capture all the moments of the day. Also, if gear goes down the second shooter is there to assist the main photographer and can run to get back-up gear out of the bags. —Alexis Turk

A: I personally always work with a second photographer, I think it is nice for getting ready to be in two rooms, for assistance with portraits, for two angles or more during the ceremony and reception. With a smaller guest count there is a greater need to respect distance and space, but I think that can be done, but there is still a benefit to having someone as a second. —David A. Barss

A: I don’t think it’s a necessary thing but I spent most of my career as a solitary photographer. There will be some who can’t handle a day without a second. It will mostly depend on your logistics... I have seen some very small and very complicated weddings where a second set of eyes was a great addition. It is always worth a conversation. —Jamie Bosworth

A: A second photographer's biggest value is capturing the ceremony and formal portraits from a different perspective than the lead photographer, both of which happen no matter the size of the guest list. —James McCormick

A: Downtown, local parks, favorite places the couple likes to hang out. —Alexis Turk

A: Regarding engagement sessions, I first ask my clients if they have a favorite spot or a place they genuinely got engaged locally as I think a local with meaning is a great place to start.

If couples are asking for suggestions I then typically find out if they want nature or urban and from their give them suggestions to either parks or places close to downtown for a more urban feel. I personally like George Rogers Park, Sellwood Park, The Pearl downtown, and the East side Esplande as some favorites. —David A. Barss

A: Popular is urban industrial or dreamy park stuff. I prefer to pull my clients into the mix so that what ever we do fits them. I only want to have a little control over time of day for the best light and I want them to take enough time to relax with me. We can do a mix of edgy and classic just about anywhere. —Jamie Bosworth

A: Travel fees will vary for each photographer. It will also depend on if the photographers will need to stay over night. Typically a hotel room will be necessary if your event is 7-8hrs long and two or more hours away. So gas and hotel could range from $150-$400. —Alexis Turk

A: For travel to the coast straight across from Portland is about $150 unless lodging is required and if the event is up or down the coast the travel fees may be slightly more. —David A. Barss

A: My fee is $85 for a back and forth... that’s with the current $4+ per gallon that we are seeing right now. If a wedding is stretched out enough to require a lodging fee on top of that, that’s negotiable and it may depend on which beach... we have a long coastline. —Jamie Bosworth

A: Many wedding photographers focus more on capturing the moments, which falls into the photojournalist category. Some will even limit the number of formals they shoot so it doesn't interrupt the flow of the day. If you want a hour of posed photos than be sure to ask if your photographer is willing to do that. —Alexis Turk

A: In my opinion, this is a term widely overused. Most wedding photographers will take some planned or posed shots which takes them out of the category of strict photojournalist. If you had a photographer tell you that they are entirely photojournalistic then nothing would ever be contrived or planned.

Now there may be some photographers who say they always do this, but most will listen to clients wishes for some posed photos. The long and short of it is that most photographers will also take some portraits, more or less and those portraits may vary on their stylistic nature.

Some will keep them simple as they are mostly journalistic photographers and don't focus on the portrait side and some will blend both styles and give you interesting portraits as well as great candid moments. Then there are some photographers that are more portrait based and may be involved in directing even some of the seemingly candid moments. These are good questions to ask a photographer of how they work on the day so you can determine if they fit the style of work and flavor you want. —David A. Barss

A: Probably because there will always be parts of the day that are more one on one than true journalism which is only as an observer. I expect my people to give me a little time away from the crowd for portraits and even though I don’t pose them, they certainly know I am there and that changes the dynamic. I look for good light in a pleasant space and that changes the reality just a bit. In the general balance of a wedding, this part is far outweighed by the journalistic coverage. —Jamie Bosworth

A: Wedding photojournalism has the same goal as a news photographer, which is to tell a story about what they saw that day. Traditional portrait photographers are more concerned with creating portraits without regard to the actual events of the day. —James McCormick

A: When looking at an online portfolio's, albums etc you should be looking for good presentation of the photographers work. Are the images exposed well, do they show different lighting situations, and are there creative shots? Does the photographer have a style that you are seeing come through in the images? Is that style something you like? It's totally ok if they haven't shot at your venue, experienced photographers can shoot in any condition. —Alexis Turk

A: Simply, quality of photography and consistency in a variety of environments. You may look at similar environments to where you event will take place. Plus, you can ask your photographer if they will visit the site prior to the the event, which is something I choose to do if I am not farmilar with the site and it is not a destination wedding. —David A. Barss

A: I would say you should look for the ease of the people in the pictures and maybe also see if you get a full sense of the event. The professionals in Portland have done almost every venue but there are new ones every year and we are always asked to do the lovely private homes... for any of them your photographer should be willing to try to scout the location ahead of the wedding day if at all possible. —Jamie Bosworth

A: The most important thing to look for is style. If you like a photographers work from one venue, chances are that they will carry that same philosophy about capturing your day no matter the venue. —James McCormick

A: Getting portraits of just the two of you is one of the great parts of your day. You get time alone, away from the craziness and get to have fun in front of the camera! Think about how many of these photos you'd like.

Do you see yourself framing these images instead of family and friends? If so, then block out 30-60minutes for just the two of you. It may seem like a lot of time but you will be able to get many different looks and backdrops during this time. Also, your photographer will not feel rushed and will have more time to get fun & creative shots. —Alexis Turk

A: I personally like from one-half to a full hour with just the bride and groom for their portraits. —David A. Barss

A: In a perfect world, I’d like to have two separate sessions of about a half an hour each but I usually only get about half of that. It’s important to work the light but it is also very important not to put huge dents in your day... it has to be appropriately timed. Most of my people are happy to get away for little bit to breathe... relaxing for the first time as a married couple is pretty cool. —Jamie Bosworth

A: This really depends on your photographer. Some photographers create beautiful and elaborate lighting set-ups, while others prefer to work with natural lighting or fewer posed portraits. —James McCormick

A: Photo booth's are great! They are totally different than your main photographer covering the event. Guests get silly and group together for shots they wouldn't normally have taken of themselves. It's also a big crowd pleaser at the reception, giving your guests a fun activity to do together! —Alexis Turk

A: No, I do not necessarily see this as a conflict, however there will be a certain amount of the crowd that will gravitate to the booth, that may be seen in less dance and reception photos as a result, but if you are okay with that then it is not a big deal. Often your photographer may provide a similar service and it might be wise to check before booking a photobooth as you could possibly get what you want from your hired photographer. —David A. Barss

A: I love Photobooths and I know a lot of the guests get a kick out of them. From my standpoint, it does pull a lot of people into a clump around the booth, taking them out of the general party. With that in mind, you might be careful of the location if possible. I have seen them done well and if they fit the budget, they will bring a different dimension to the day. —Jamie Bosworth

A: A photo booth is a great compliment to a wedding, and won't conflict with the wedding photography in any way. —James McCormick

A: You should tell your photographer key shots that are important to you on your wedding day. The more you communicate the happier you will be! It's not fair to not tell them something you want and then be upset after the fact. They can't read your mind to share your thoughts but also be aware that there is no guarantee that all those images will be shot. Why? Often the day doesn't go as planned and you need to be flexible. Maybe you wanted a shot of the flower girl smiling into the camera but she ended up tired and crying all day! This is something that is out of everyone's control and it's ok, it's still part of your day.

Directing shots is a bit different though. It can really put a creative damper on your photographer if you keep telling them how and where you want a photo. Why have them there if you don't want their creative eye?! They are artists and with any artist once you start giving too much input they loose creative spark. —Alexis Turk

A: I always do a details meeting with my clients so I understand their expectations and shots that are really important to them. Especially family shots so I know what clients want to have captured. I am also open to shots that clients may have ideas about, but also let them know it is a fine line as you want to give your photographer license to do what they do. You have hire a professional based on work you have seen and you don't want to be too particular so they can capture your event in it's true essence blended with their artistic vision. —David A. Barss

A: A list is always a good thing... in moderation. I expect my people to trust me to catch the expected parts and the grace notes... however, if you are going to have elephants or sword dancers, I’d love to know ahead of time. :0) And that goes for Grandma’s rings tied to the bridal bouquet... if it is special to you, speak up. What you don’t need to tell me is that you want a shot of Dad bringing you down the aisle... that will happen if you hire a professional. —Jamie Bosworth

A: If you feel that you must provide a list, it's best to keep it as short as possible. Often working to a list may not be the best way to capture your individual wedding. Most photographers do want to know if there are special people that you'd like to be sure are included in a few photos though. —James McCormick

A: Good photography is a bit expensive, yes, but look at what you are paying for. Experience, professional gear, back-up gear, two shooters, time meeting before the event, shooting the actual event, editing the images after the event, designing an album, and the list goes on!

There is a lot of time spent after your wedding day making your images look the way they do on the photographers online gallery. Please know that photos do not look that good straight out of any camera! They need to be adjusted for exposure, sharpness, cropping and anything else that the pro does. So just cause you see 8hrs in the package for your wedding day you are really paying for 20-40hrs of work to give you memories to last a life time. —Alexis Turk

A: Wedding photography is not much different than other commodities you have everything from Target to Saks Fifth Avenue with regard to quality and price. A quality photographer has the best gear available to them and equivalent back-up gear in case of failure. They have insurance, overhead, travel time, assistants and a variety of other business expenses to run a quality studio. They also have the experience, and artistry to capture beautiful images when time is of the essence and there is not chance at a re-shoot of the event.

On top of these details most high end photographers spend more time after the wedding day, than they did on the day, editing images, color correcting, enhancing images, building slideshows, album previews and anything else that is part of their work flow to produce an exquisite finished product. When you think about what you spend on all the other details of the wedding which are transitory the photography which is eternal is inexpensive at prices over $2000. In fact in the U.S. the average professional wedding photographer 4 years ago was paid $2500, and that is average and so if you want above average photography you should expect to pay more than that. —David A. Barss

A: It’s an investment for a reason. I am sure that the numbers are scary but the long term picture is the important thing... you want someone who can bring it all back when you open your book 16 years down the road. You will be on the couch with your beautiful family and you will turn a page and show them your beautiful younger selves.

Book, slide show, whatever the medium may be, none of it is going to work if you hire someone who can’t do the work. The good photographers have invested untold amounts of time and money to learn what they know. Some of it can be measured in education and experience. Technical expertise is important but I fully believe that emotional expertise is the key. The professionals do this full time and we know what we are looking for and when to expect it.

A wedding is not something we can go back and do over... we have to get it right and we have to be on our toes to do that. If exceptional photography is important to you, don’t cheap out... you will be unhappy every time you open that book. —Jamie Bosworth

A: Wedding photography costs what it does because a professional photographer will put many hours into your wedding that you may never see. If the photographer is at your wedding for five hours and captures 2000 images they may spend another 30-40 hours editing and processing your digital files, and will spend somewhere in the area of a full work day preparing to photograph your wedding. —James McCormick