How to book a photographer for your wedding

I love photography and I've done my research. As for the perennial digital vs. film debate, it should come down to whose images you prefer- it just depends on what you're drawn to. Our engagement photographer used film and our wedding photographer was digital. Since images straight out of a digital camera will always be subpar, the photographer should do a bit of post-production work on the photos- and you want to make sure that those edits are reflected in your digital high-res files. Digital images with good post-production work are often seen as superior to film because they have the ability to tinker with the image. But it really does just come down to shooting talent- some of the best wedding photographers still use film (like Jose Villa), but it's looking like photographers are going digital in hordes. Also, film is NOT more expensive than digital because digital photographers must spend hours upon hours post processing the photos. I've heard of digital wedding photographers doing no post-processing work- those people are a total sham. I've also heard (and met) with film photographers who criticize digital- those people are charlatans who do a major disservice to the wedding photography industry by confusing brides and disrespecting their colleagues.

You know how cheesy wedding photos in the 80s are so, well, cheesy? Well one day that will be us, my friends, because I really do think the current trend in oversaturating and washing out photos will be passe in a generation. I would recommend finding a true photojournalist, not someone who tries hard to be a fashion photographer. You want your wedding photos to document your day, and not reinterpreted through an artist's (however talented) eye. But that's just me.

Read photography blogs. That will give you a very good idea of what their "average" is rather than their "best", which is typically on their website. Also, don't be fooled by packages that have all sorts of bells and whistles. I've seen so many brides say things like, "I'm getting this many pictures, this and that, this and that for only this much!" But the photography sucks. If you had to choose between a great photographer plus an album versus an amazing photographer but no album, I'd go for the latter. But make sure to get your high-res files or negatives!!