We are an event design company and are usually extremely lucky with all of the vendors that we work with however we recently had an experience with a photographer that was so dissapointing that we thought that we should mention this on the SMP blog along with some important guidelines to look for.

Be sure to be very specific with your photographer about the decor shots- especially if you are featuring details that are time consuming or costly. We took great pains with our bride and planned many tiny details that were part of the feel that the couple were anxious to feature but nearly everything was over looked in the final photos.

Some photographers don't understand the photo journalistic approach that has become so popular and many brides may assume otherwise.

We were ,along with the bride, so dissapointed that these special touches were lost forever -and the irony is the photographer thinks that he did a superior job capturing the wedding.What a mix up!

So we wanted to pass this along,make sure that you have LOTS of communication with your photographer especially if it's all in the details.

That's why, as a wedding planner, I always ask the bride what kind of photography style they're looking for and clearly convey the message across to the photographer.  Whether it's decor or spiritual elements, it's extremely important to speak out what are the “very important must shoot” shots , so that the photographer will do the right job.

Photography is not exact science. It's like painting. The painting maybe a work of art for one and may look trash for another.

Being a photographer myself, here are some ways to choose a photographer:

1) go to his studio and look at his work, his albums. He should have a ton of albums where you can see his style and pattern. If he has one or two albums to show, politely run to the door— means lack of experience.

2) Have an engagement photo shoot. Some studios like roland video and photo give it free. Around 50  to 150 shots will be taken just from the shoot. It will submitted to you and from there, you can decide. If the photographer complaints, go look for another one as he may be complaining too about what he did in your wedding. Translation: he needs more money.

3) See if you photographer loves the work or just in it for your money.

4) try roland video and photo services if you are in the New England area. That should solve the situation.(Ha ha ha)

Good luck to everybody and be happy.